Tokina's 17mm f/3.5 — a Japanese M42 ultra-wide rectilinear prime for landscape and architecture.
The Tokina 17mm f/3.5 is a Japanese ultra-wide-angle prime made in M42 mount by Tokina, a maker of third-party lenses for many mounts. It was an ultra-wide rectilinear lens in their screw-mount range, offering very broad coverage for landscapes, architecture and interiors.
This is a manual-focus M42 screw-mount lens with a 17mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/3.5. Focus and aperture are set by hand on the barrel, with an automatic diaphragm. It is an all-metal retrofocus ultra-wide. Detailed element and filter figures are not asserted here beyond the verified focal length and aperture, following the accuracy standard.
At 17mm the lens delivers a dramatic ultra-wide rectilinear view for landscapes, architecture and interiors, keeping straight lines straight rather than curving them like a fisheye. Generous depth of field at f/3.5 aids landscape work, and Tokina ultra-wides render acceptably stopped down, making it a capable specialist wide.
Used copies are less common than the standard primes and priced above them. Inspect the front element for scratches, haze and fungus, confirm the aperture blades are clean and oil-free, and check the aperture-ring and focus feel. Verify the M42 mount before purchase. An M42 adapter allows ultra-wide use on mirrorless cameras.