Tokina ATX 28-70mm 80mm

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It has been quite some times that I didn't write a review. Mainly because I didn't buy any new toys that excites me and what I am having now already have plenty of reviews in the internet. Hmm...have I cured my NAS (Nikon Acquisition Syndrome)? Maybe...but the buying feel still itch in my hands some times... :-p

Now, what I am going to write is a lens that I bought quite some times ago (and you can find many reviews regarding it in the net), and I already have an initial review of it when I bought one for my friend's father. The reason what I wrote this page is meant to compile the information available in the net for the various versions of this lens, to less confusing people.

Link to Previous thoughts of Tokina ATX PRO 280

Tokina ATX PRO 28-80mm f2.8 lens ~ I finally bought this lens for myself. Can't remember when I bought it now...maybe a year ago. How good is this lens? Hmm...I can't really comment. I didn't do any test on this lens...I bought it because I believe it is a good quality professional lens, and I like the solid and rugged built of it. I have used it for a friend's wedding (and going to shoot another one soon) and my friends are satisfied with the photos it delivered (he is no photographer though). Although I can't justify its optic performance, I can say that its built is on par if not better than the Nikon AFS 28-70mm f2.8. The Tokina ATX PRO 280 is definitely better built than the Sigma EX 28-70mm f2.8 that I have before. I sold the Sigma because I know I want the Tokina.

Many got confused with the various versions of Tokina 28-70mm f2.8 and 28-80mm f2.8 lenses. After some deep search and study, I managed to come to the following findings (correct me if I am wrong, as I don't have all versions but one):

1st version:

Tokina 28-70mm f2.8

2nd version:

Tokina ATX 28-70mm f2.8

3rd version

Tokina ATX PRO 28-70mm f2.8

4th version:

Tokina ATX PRO II 28-70mm f2.6-2.8

Tokina ATX PRO 28-70mm f2.8 (Japan)

5th version:

Tokina ATX PRO 28-80mm f2.8

6th version:

Tokina ATX PRO SV 28-70mm f2.8

(pictures courtesy of featherrio@sbcglobal.net )

Although there are many versions in the market, it doesn't mean that the later version is always better than the previous one. For example, the 6th version of Tokina ATX PRO SV 28-70mm f2.8 is meant to be a super value (hence SV) lens targeted at the consumer market, most probably fighting with the Sigma pricing. I haven't try nor see this lens personally, so I can't say about this built quality. However, from the specification shown, I find it exactly the same as the 4th version but with constant f2.8 aperture. Some say the that the 5th version is not as sharp as the 4th version, I don't know. One thing I am sure is that I like the better control design of the 6th version as compare to the 4th version.

When I bought my Tokina ATX PRO 28-80mm f2.8, I have another deal in hand of the Tokina ATX PRO II 28-70mm f2.8 at RM100 cheaper price. I have some hard time considering during that time...but I end up buying the 5th version. Reasons?

For Nikon mount, when using the lens in manual focusing, in the 4th version: u have to set both the camera and lens to MF, else u will end up having the lens still in AF. In the 5th version, u can leave ur camera in AF mode all the time, and the lens can be set to MF by just sliding the focusing ring. In the 5th version, the lens can be set to MF or AF at any focusing ring position, but in the 4th version u have to set the lens from AF to MF or vice version at the point u set it from MF to AF or vice versa. For this convenience, I choose the 5th version over the 4th version, even if the 4th version is said to be sharper.

5. Most important of all...50cm MFD (minimum focusing distance) as compared to 70cm of the 4th version. My previous Sigma is 40cm, which I find is a really +++ point for shooting wide angle close-up

The previous Tokina ATX PRO 28-80mm f2.8 that I bought for my friend's father (new from shop @ RM1850) is having minor zoom creep problem (and I suspect it is an used lens ~ cheated?!) but the one I am having now is having no problem of this at all. I am not sure if that's the nature of this lens after some time of usage, but this sure is something buyer needs to check out for when buying new or 2nd hand. Zoom creep means lens will "auto" zoom (or slide) from wide angle to tele vice versa, when pointing upward or downward.