Tokina atx-m 23mm f/1.4 X
Summary
The Tokina atx-m 23mm f/1.4 X is a solid optical performer — a wide-angle prime (35mm equivalent) with f/1.4 maximum aperture. The lens is priced at approximately ~$500 USD. Please check the official product page for sample images, manuals, and firmware updates.
Genre Suitability
- Excellent for: Landscape, Architecture, Street, Travel, Wildlife
- Adequate for: Sport
- Avoid for: Macro
Strengths
- Negligible distortion
Weaknesses
- Very soft corners wide open
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Noticeable vignetting wide open
- Low macro capability (0.1x magnification)
Specifications 20/20
| Optical construction | 11 elements in 10 groups (2 SD) |
| Coating | Multi-coating |
| Focal length | 23mm |
| Max aperture | f/1.4 |
| Sweet spot | f/4 |
| Aperture blades | 9 (circular) |
| Sunstar points | 18 (soft — circular blades) |
| Max magnification | 0.1x |
| Min focus distance | 300mm |
| AF motor | STM |
| OIS | No |
| Weather sealed | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| Clickless aperture | Yes |
| Focus ring | Yes |
| Focus by wire | Yes |
| Distance scale | No |
| Rotating front | No |
| Tripod mount | No |
| Weight | 276g |
| Diameter | 65mm |
| Length | 72mm |
| Filter thread | 52mm |
| Year | 2020 |
Optical Quality 9/14
| Center (wide open) | 1.5 |
| Corner (wide open) | 0.0 |
| Center (stopped) | 1.5 |
| Corner (stopped) | 1.5 |
| Longitudinal CA | 0.5 |
| Lateral CA | 1.0 |
| Distortion | 2.0 |
| Vignetting (wide open) | 0.5 |
| Vignetting (stopped) | 1.5 |
Sharpness
- Good center sharpness wide open
- Very soft corners wide open
- Good center resolution stopped down
- Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down
Aberrations
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Moderate lateral CA, auto-corrected by most software
Rendering
- Noticeable vignetting wide open
- Vignetting clears well when stopped down
Distortion
- Negligible distortion — straight lines stay straight
All optical scores are based on lab measurements and field tests from trusted review sources. For details on how we score lenses, see our scoring methodology.
Genre Fit
✓ Landscape Photography 4/5
Landscape Photography prioritizes corner-to-corner sharpness at stopped-down apertures and good flare resistance.
- Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down
- Good center resolution stopped down
- Negligible distortion — straight lines stay straight
- Moderate lateral CA, auto-corrected by most software
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Vignetting clears well when stopped down
✓ Architecture Photography 4/5
Architecture Photography prioritizes geometric precision with minimal distortion and even corner sharpness.
- Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down
- Good center resolution stopped down
- Negligible distortion — straight lines stay straight
- Moderate lateral CA, auto-corrected by most software
- Vignetting clears well when stopped down
✓ Street Photography 4/5
Street Photography prioritizes sharp stopped-down performance and a fast enough aperture for low light.
- Good center resolution stopped down
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Good center sharpness wide open
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
✓ Travel Photography 4/5
Travel Photography prioritizes balanced image quality in a lightweight package.
- Good center resolution stopped down
- Lightweight at 276g
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
~ Sport Photography 3.5/5
Sport Photography prioritizes sharp wide-open center performance to freeze action at fast shutter speeds.
- Good center sharpness wide open
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Moderate lateral CA, auto-corrected by most software
✓ Wildlife Photography 4/5
Wildlife Photography prioritizes center sharpness across apertures for distant subjects.
- Good center sharpness wide open
- Good center resolution stopped down
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Moderate lateral CA, auto-corrected by most software
✗ Macro Photography 1/5
Macro Photography prioritizes stopped-down center sharpness and high magnification for close-up detail.
- Good center resolution stopped down
- Low magnification (0.1x)
- Negligible distortion — straight lines stay straight
- Moderate lateral CA, auto-corrected by most software
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges