Poor man's 400mm f/5.6

To continue my interest in cheap compact telephoto primes, I stumbled across a mint copy of the Tokina 400mm f/5.6 AT-X SD AF, it was USD 400

The lens is distinguished by a very short length (8in) compared to other 400mm models, so it is easily hand holdable.
It has a built in lens hood and internally focuses down to a usable 2.5m (6 ft)
AF is spritely for such an old lens but it is noisy.

Has a built in tripod ring and lens hood

Now for pictures from the lens!

It even has a red ring!

That lens was well-regarded in its day, so I'm not surprised you get good results for the money.

Any idea how it compares to your 200mm f/2.8 with the 2x teleconverter?

More photos please? Looks incredible for just 400!

spend $500 more and get canon 400mm f5.6. Quality which can only be beaten by canon superteles costing thousands $ more. Just my opinion.

Madweasel wrote in post #13702564
That lens was well-regarded in its day, so I'm not surprised you get good results for the money.

+1 both this AND the Sigma 400mm f/5.6 were regarded VERY highly...

Glad to see that the Tokina works on a modern body, Most of the Sigmas sadly dont...and i gotta admit thats one freaking sharp looking lens...

Good find for $400, If I found one at that price id snatch it up

-edit- and Bobbyz, the Sigma, Tokina AND Canon 400 primes were ALL considered roughly equals in terms of optics you know...

I had one of those a while back but I wasn't all that impressed with it. Autofocus was slow as could be, and mine had really bad CA issues. Sure was nice and light/compact for a 400mm though!

KenjiS wrote in post #13703189
+1 both this AND the Sigma 400mm f/5.6 were regarded VERY highly...

Glad to see that the Tokina works on a modern body, Most of the Sigmas sadly dont...and i gotta admit thats one freaking sharp looking lens...

Good find for $400, If I found one at that price id snatch it up

-edit- and Bobbyz, the Sigma, Tokina AND Canon 400 primes were ALL considered roughly equals in terms of optics you know...

had a friend who had tokina 400mm f5.6. Canon was much better picture quality wise as well as AF. Sigma no way IMHO. Canon is as good as 500/600 f4 IS.

I used to own the Tokina 80-400, which was also quite decent at 400mm, especially when stopped down 1/3 - 2/3 stop. At 300mm it was just great, but AF lacked what I wanted from a long lens.

I'm quite interested in how a lens like yours would compare with a 2xTC and your 200mm. I think a TC would cost about the same?
I wonder how much sharpness, contrast and colors would differ, but also AF.

One of the advantages of owning the 200 2.8 is that it handles TC's so well. If you compare the 200 2.8 with the 400 5.6 (see here: http://www.the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=0​&APIComp=1 both at f/6.3) you'll notice a difference (and AF is way slower with the TC) but it's still very acceptable...

KenjiS wrote in post #13703189
+1 both this AND the Sigma 400mm f/5.6 were regarded VERY highly...
.

I was lucky enough to grab a chipped sigma 400 f5.6 APO HSM macro which works well on my 5Dmk2 (and on the 7D before).

Having owned the canon 400 F5.6L some years back I can confirm that the optical qualities are indeed very similar (although the AF on the canon is a little better)

Well worth looking out for one of these, there are still a few of them and the Tokina about

A couple of test shots with the sigma 400 from a recent visit to our local beach

oldcanon wrote in post #13703897
I was lucky enough to grab a chipped sigma 400 f5.6 APO HSM macro which works well on my 5Dmk2 (and on the 7D before).

Having owned the canon 400 F5.6L some years back I can confirm that the optical qualities are indeed very similar (although the AF on the canon is a little better)

Well worth looking out for one of these, there are still a few of them and the Tokina about

I've seen the Sigma go for a LOT of $$ before.... I was trying hard to get my hands on one before i bought the 100-400...

If one crosses my path at a good price id probubly get it, I still want to do birding and that, just not enough to justify the 100-400 being a part of my kit anymore

I picked mine up for £290 from my favourite used canon dealer in the UK!

Here is another sample