experience with the Tokina 300mm 2.8 lens?

Has anyone used (or knows someone) the Tokina 300mm 2.8 ATX for any type of Sports photography. I am very close to picking this lens up but wondered if anyone out here has had any experience with this lens. Its a decent price from a decent chap and I can't afford the Canon glass. (unless I divorce and marry Sheryl Crowe whom I hear is single again..) The type of sports would be paddling so there is not too much panning but AF speed is important

Thanks

experience with the Tokina 300mm 2.8 lens?

Has anyone used (or knows someone) the Tokina 300mm 2.8 ATX for any type of Sports photography. I am very close to picking this lens up but wondered if anyone out here has had any experience with this lens. Its a decent price from a decent chap and I can't afford the Canon glass. (unless I divorce and marry Sheryl Crowe whom I hear is single again..) The type of sports would be paddling so there is not too much panning but AF speed is important

Thanks

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I had one and sold it for 1/3 the price I paid for it after one baseball season's use. Mine focused soft at distances beyond about 50 feet between f/2.8 and f/4.0. I sent it back for a bench check and according to the tech it met specs. IMO it was an overpriced 300mm f/4.0. Its AF wasn't quite as fast as the Canon 300mm f/2.8 either.

Thanks but I have an option on this lens and although I am sure the sigma is faster, do you think it the tokina is a suitable lens for shooting sports?

There is a chap over on another board that shoots indoor swim meets with the lens and has had outstanding results from it. I will agree with Jerry that it doesn't focus as fast at the Canon Lsimply because really nothing does. It will depreciate much faster then the Canon L too. But it also cost 1/2 as much. If your in that price range I would also suggest looking at a used canon - there are several at KEH.COM (one is my old one) + 1 on ebay right now, or the Sigma 300 f2.8, or the Sigma 120-300 f2.8. But bottom line - any of these lenses can produce very nice results given you get a good copy - even Canon.

The Sigma has faster AF too..