If you’ve ever used a Tokina lens, you’ll know that they’ve always been the even more affordable option that always performs with great image quality–and the Tokina 24-70mm f2.8 Pro recently was rated by DXO Mark’s as being not too far behind what Canon offers. In my review published last year, I felt that the Tokina lens delivers better color than the Canon 24-70mm f2.8 L II USM, and while DXOMark thinks that the Canon version is sharper, it probably is. But Tokina’s lens is more contrasty–which gives the appearance of a sharper image very easily.
In all honestly, the Tokina is only a few points off from the Canon and when you consider everything that modern software like Adobe Lightroom can do, it will be very easy for no one to be able to tell the difference between the lenses because professional photographers are going to apply the lens correction.
But then you consider the price. Tokina’s option is under $1,000 and Canon’s is pretty much twice that price. Canon’s lens offering though is better built and has weather sealing. Tokina’s doesn’t. So if you don’t need weather sealing because someone at the wedding you’re shooting has been drinking too much and spilled on you, then the Tokina makes a lot of sense.