Tokina?

[Ogrt48]

How is the Tokina brand? I've found a used 35-300 F4.5-6.7 TOKINA SD I might pick up but I can't find anything on this lens at all. Is the brand atleast pretty good?

[drisley]

I think it depends on the lens.
I have the Tokina 17F3.5 ATX Pro lens, and it is awesome. The build is actually just as good as any Canon L lens I've used, and the optical quality is atleast as good as the Canon 17-40L.
With the 3rd party lenses like Tokina, Tamron and Sigma, they each a few lenses that are extremely good, and others that are not so good (or even very bad).
So, you cant really say "all Tokina lenses are good" or "all Sigma lenses are good".
I'm not familiar with the lens you mention though. Perhaps others can give more insight.

[CyberDyneSystems]

..you can't even say "all Canon lenses are good" ...

Sorry.. just thought I'd throw that out there...

The Only Tokina I have had my hands on was a VERY SOLID 300mm f/2.8

This thing was built like... well like a Sigma..
Heavy.. almost military .. it's biggest drawback was focus noise and speed.. not as quiet or fast as a Sigma.. and no where near the Canon.

Optically it looked fantastic.. like any big fast prime should.

[drisley]

..you can't even say "all Canon lenses are good" ...

Yup, I almost added that too :wink:

[Motorsports Photo]

Heres one more vote for Tokina. Ihave the 287 pro sv. Built VERY well, and works just as good. The only nit I have about it is the zoom ring works backwards compared to Canon lenses.

-Pete

[nosquare2003]

Firstly, I admit that I have never used this lens. Please correct my comments if I'm wrong.

35-300mm is more than a 8x zoom. It is difficult to make a good lens with a high zoom range. What lens do you have now? What do you intend to do with the 35-300mm lens? Is the aperture too small btw?

[Ogrt48]

I have the kit lens ... I need some reach.. cheap cheap reach :D

[jonniewalton]

I have the ATX 300 f2.8 which i use on my 10d and 20d, it is a solid lens and i picked it up second hand for £800. Second hand canon f2.8 are about £1500 -£1800. When i was shooting with the old EOS 600 and 620, i had one of the first Canon 300f2.8 pre IS etc and it was sharp but I can honestly say that there is no noticeable difference between the 35mm negative film prints at A3 size and digital prints at that size from the Tokina.

[nosquare2003]

Ogrt48, I think that it would be safer to get one of the used consumer zoom 70-300mm or 100-300mm from Canon.

I don't object the fact that Tokina is a good brand and I've the 17/3.5 myself. I just worry the quality of their 35-350mm.

[Cadwell]

How is the Tokina brand? I've found a used 35-300 F4.5-6.7 TOKINA SD I might pick up but I can't find anything on this lens at all. Is the brand atleast pretty good?

Mmm... I don't know the lens in question, but it is very difficult to make one with that sort of optical zoom range and retain much in the way of optical quality. Even the very expensive (and recently discontinued) Canon EF 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6L USM wasn't particulary good.

[Jon, The Elder]

I have the Tokina 242AFX (24 x 200)

This is a very sharp lens throughout its range and Aperture settings. Quick AF and solid in construction.

Better in performance than my Canon 28/135 IS USM.

[mdude85]

Tokina has made very sharp wide angle lenses ... check out the "fantastic plastic" 19-35mm.

WIDE and sharp as a knife.

[Ogrt48]

HEres the lens I'm talking about. http://www.42photo.com/productdetail.asp?level=119&catid=343&productid=24 33

[thomascanty]

How is the Tokina brand? I've found a used 35-300 F4.5-6.7 TOKINA SD I might pick up but I can't find anything on this lens at all. Is the brand atleast pretty good?

I have that lens. It's not very good at all. It's slow and very soft at 300mm. It also creeps bad, and won't stay at the focal length you set it to (the lens lock only works when it's set to 35mm for some stupid reason). I haven't used it in years.

[Ogrt48]

Ah poopie. I might just go with the Tamron 70-300mm new. Found it for $109. >< I need 300mm reach for under $121 after shipping and any taxes... Any other ideas? :D

[thomascanty]

I need 300mm reach for under $121 after shipping and any taxes... Any other ideas? :D

I don't have any experience with that 70-300, so I can't comment about that one. But, I think you'll have a hard time finding a decent quality lens with that focal range for less than $121. Good luck!