I went out on the limb and tried this combo out now that the speedbooster is available. To my surprise, it does actually work. This is the fastest, widest combo I believe available for m/43. The tokina was used, ~500 dollars and the SB was 460. The combo is actually so wide that I'm nervous about distortion, as any lens that wide is going to have. With the lens held horizontal on the horizon it isnt half bad, but when I tilt down or point up, things start to distort. I'm not sure how this will look on my steadicam but I plan to find out soon. The biggest thing going for this combo is that infinity focus is supposed to extend from 3.5 out (dof calculator). Thats a big deal for following a bride into the church and down the aisle with a steadicam.

In other news, after buying the 12mm 2.0, ive decided that it honestly is in no way worth its price over the 14mm 2.5. 2.5 to 2.0 is like less than half a stop, and the 2mm really when on a side by side comparison is just not enough for me to ever warrant paying 650 more than the 150 dollar 14mm 2,5, so I'll be returning that tomorrow.

Thanks for the report, James. It will really help with my decision whether to buy the $464 Speed Booster and a $799 Sigma 18-35 f1.8. That would give me an affordable 13-25mm f1.2 lens (!) Not as wide as your Tokina, but somewhat faster.

Cheers,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution (http://hybridcamerarevolution.blogspot.com)

Wow, never knew about that lens. That IS fast! If it weren't for that 2x crop factor on GH2's I'd snag one of those in a heartbeat. To be honest I'm not convinced yet I really need to get much wider than 12mm. So in the end I may just go with a 14mm and a wideangle lens adapter. Speed is great in a church though, I could potentially eliminate/sell my 20mm 1.7 and 25mm 1.4 to pay for it. so you've listed a pretty attractive lens up there! Oh and make sure that lens you posted can be focused manually. I'm not sure if the metabones will do any electric control for you whatsoever.

Great news... I've heard of some soft corners on the 11-16+SB combo, any sign of that? Already set to sell off my Lumix 7-14

The Sigma 18-35/1.8 is a new beast, pre-orders are just making their way into the general public. Definitely on the short-term wish list... I already shoot 95% of my interview MED/MCU shots with various primes at 18-35/~1.8-2, this would put them all in one lens, and from first reports a darned nice, sharp one. Boosting it would just be gravy.

James, if you ever get a chance post some samples with that combo to vimeo or youtube. I'd love to see what it looks like.

What mount version of the Tokina do you have? Does the speedbooster allow for control of the aperture and IS from the camera on native lenses?

Cheers,
Pete

I'm going to take some footage with it in the next day or so and put it up. I haven't noticed anything out of wack in the corners, but then again I'm sure I am much less critical than most. There is of course distortion on the outer bottom and top edges when you are completely wide. I think thats typical of most wide angle lenses, though I'm not sure if its being made worse with the 11mm being dropped down to 7.7 or so. I'll take footage of it at 7.7 and ~11.

I know the version I have is a Nikon mount, (g?) it is the one that has a mechanical tab that moves the aperture open/close. I'm using the Nikon G to m/43. It appears there is no electrical communication through the adapter though to this lens. The adapter actually has a mechanical aperture ring built into it that moves the lever on the lens. This ring is labeled oddly though, and your stops are now click stops between 8 and 2 (wide open). I'll take some photos of the adapter as well.

Speed Booster? : Nikon G to Micro Four Thirds Speed Booster (http://www.metabones.com/buy-speed-booster/nikon-g-mft-speed-booster-detail)

okay here is some comparison footage. honestly im not sure. something about the tokina bothers me but i cant put my finger on it. its been raining everyday outside but i'll try and get some landscape soon. (ignore the incredibly dirty work/office/room)

http://youtu.be/C6Wr5RZM7QE

Thanks James!

That looks quite nice. I'll assume it was shot with a GH3?

Doing tilts with a super wide like that will always look skiwampus. That image is very similar to what the Tokina 11-16 looks like at 16mm on a full frame. Pretty cool that we have this type of option for an ultra wide on the m4/3.

Thanks again for posting up.

Cheers,
Pete

Skiwampus may be my go to word from now on, haha. But anyway, na shot on my old ole GH2. I dont really see a need for the GH3 yet, honestly. I would have moved to blackmagic pocket cams if there wasn't a 3x crop factor. If I can't find some good reliable help in my area soon (that I can afford) I may end up going with some smaller chip cams to help with stand alone shots. (greater dof)

PS. just a heads up, i've decided after a lot of testing that the 14mm 2.5 is just about good enough for me, so I'm going to be returning my tokina 11-16mm and putting the speedbooster up for sale in the market place for 430.00 shipped. (30 bucks less than retail after shipping) its brand new still obviously.