Poor Man's 300mm F/2.8 AF

In my search for cheap but quality lenses I just picked this up from Ebay, a Tokina 300mm F/2.8 AT-X SD II.

I've been looking for this AF version of the lens for many years, most that appear are the Nikon AIS mount, I've only seen one other Canon EF lens. The lens has a full metal construction with a durable coating, a 112mm filter and a click stop tripod collar.

I'm pretty happy I walked away a with mint version at a good deal of USD 1250, as I could never justify the price of the canon EF versions.

The lens is very sharp at f/2.8 but as normal with does better at stopped down.

Tokina makes some very nice lenses.

I had a Tokina 400mm f/5.6 ATX for a couple of years and it produced some pretty nice imagery. However the autofocus was sluggish and tended to hunt. I am wondering about the AF on this Tokina.

This lens reminds me a bit of my Nikkor AI-S 300mm f/2.8 IF ED..

Tis is the first time I see this lens, thank you man. I will be looking in to this. I use a friends 300mm canon the first version, about 25 years old...

RPCrowe wrote in post #14727411
I had a Tokina 400mm f/5.6 ATX for a couple of years and it produced some pretty nice imagery. However the autofocus was sluggish and tended to hunt. I am wondering about the AF on this Tokina.

I've also got the Tokina 400mm, it's definitely slower than this 2nd generation lens.
I'd say this one would be a little slower than my Canon 300 f/4L.

yogestee wrote in post #14727439
This lens reminds me a bit of my Nikkor AI-S 300mm f/2.8 IF ED..

Yes, it does remind me of the Nikkor, especially the finish of the body is very similiar

tunin wrote in post #14727820
Tis is the first time I see this lens, thank you man. I will be looking in to this. I use a friends 300mm canon the first version, about 25 years old...

It's a lens that as been discontinued a long time ago, so it will be difficult to find.

yogestee wrote in post #14727390
Tokina makes some very nice lenses.

They have great build quality and have always used metal bodies, however they seem to have more CA issues than similar Canon models but this can be fixed in post.

Sounds like the Tokina 100 2.8 1:1 Macro. Excellent build, sharp, etc, but slow to focus...I liked my 100. Also...congrats! Looks like a beauty of an addition to your collection

LowriderS10 wrote in post #14727869
Sounds like the Tokina 100 2.8 1:1 Macro. Excellent build, sharp, etc, but slow to focus...I liked my 100. Also...congrats! Looks like a beauty of an addition to your collection

Yes pretty much the same as all Tokina lenses, great design, excellent build but older generation AF motors. Not as fast as Canon ring type USM lenses, but the design of this one has the AF moving the rear lens elements, so it's still spritely for it's age.

Congrats! Great looking lens at a good price.

Yeah these old 300mm f/2.8 lenses are a good buy... I remember seeing the Tokina and the Tamron going for less than a grand at one point but i think prices went up because people discovered they're pretty good lenses..

Does it work 100% alright on the 7D?

That looks pretty nice mounted on there!

never seen one of those, nice find.