Crisis? What crisis? Or do I have one? Fact is, that this lens does not inspire me at all. Not on normal, bright early summer days.
I can really blame it on the long minimum focusing distance. While I can do magic things with the Sigma 20/1.8, a much longer lens, everything that I do with this Tokina 11-16/2.8 comes out boring. It’s not that I want to sell it, but I wouldn’t recommend it either. At least not to someone who shares my lust for exotic lenses 
Again: this is a good lens. In fact it’s a marvelous lens. It is only that it currently bores me to death.
At the moment I am on the train to Carinthia, tomorrow I’ll have to work a little in the apartment, but then I’ll be on a short two-day trip to Italy. I will stay for a night in a hotel by the sea. Let’s have a look at how the Tokina performs in a more traditional landscape environment. We’ll see.
Oh, by the way, I’m writing this on the new laptop and it’s positively a pleasure. And the probably coolest effect is: I’m finally down to a single backpack, my trusty Lowepro Rover Plus AW. It’s pretty full, and when it’s full, it’s heavy, even with the new Vaio, but on the other hand, I am carrying a DSLR with five lenses, a laptop with power supply, a wash bag, a book and an umbrella. This may have some weight
In any case, not having to carry a separate laptop bag any more, that’s fantastic!
The Song of the Day is “The Last Time” from the 1986 Eurythmics album “Revenge”. See a live video on YouTube.
Jun 102009
This post looks absolutely wonderful, even if that picture was made with the Tokina, must be the new laptop.
My first thought was that you carry quite a few lenses. On a second thought I realised I carry around four, nether of them being particularly light. Well, yes, the Lensbaby is.
Have a great day in Italy!