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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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2
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26731
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6/30/2010
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Recommended By
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Average Purchase
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100% of reviewers
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$205.00
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| Reader Review Rating Averages |
Readers' rating for
Construction Quality
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Readers' rating for
Image Quality
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Readers'
Overall Rating
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9.50
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8.50
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9.00
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HighSierra
Registered: June 2008
Posts: 13
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Tokina 20-35mm f/2.8 AT-X 235 AF PRO review by HighSierra
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Review Date: 6/30/2010
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $250.00| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Sharpness, contrast, great MF feel, fast aperture
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Cons:
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High, but correctable CA, long minimum focus distance
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Using this lens on my Nikon D700, I find it to be an excellent, if oft overlooked, zoom lens. While the frame is a bit soft at the edges at f/2.8, it sharpens up nicely across the board with stopping down. CA is ever-present across the frame, but easily removed either in-camera or in post.
The weakest point of this lens has to be the minimum focus distance (MFD), which only allows for about 10:1 reproduction ratio, at best, on the 35mm end. This can be a bit limiting of composition, especially at the 20mm end. So don't buy this lens if you are into wide-angle close-ups.
One of the best aspects of this lens is the focus clutch. While a touch fiddly to engage (one must first focus to infinity or MFD with AF, then move the ring to the right setting, and pull back), it allows the lens to have a buttery smooth damped feel in MF, yet focus very fast in AF. The MF is so good that I enjoy using it on my FM2. In this regard, it is like two lenses in one.
The build quality otherwise is very high, with tough-feeling metal all over. The focus and zoom rings have nicely differentiated patterns, and the hood is even lined with felt.
Overall this is a very good lens for full-frame photography, with much better corner performance than its' fixed 17mm cousin. At the bargain used prices it sells for, it is a real bargain.
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f43tgv
Registered: September 2007
Posts: 16
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Tokina 20-35mm f/2.8 AT-X 235 AF PRO review by f43tgv
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Review Date: 5/1/2009
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $160.00| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Beautifully built, cheap secondhand, very sharp
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Cons:
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A little heavy
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I have never used a Tokina lens on Digital.
They do work, very well, despite the lack of Hyper-Nano coatings et-al!
I did have the 28-70 ATX Pro for film long ago, a truly great lens.
I am not a great user of mid range focal lengths and there is no way I could justify the expense of something like a 17-40L for my 30D, especially given the amazing price hikes in the UK in these strange times.
I located a copy of this lens used at my friendly local Camera Store and took a chance.
It is excellent. Sharp, contrasty and flare is no problem at all. Weak at 2.8 , but no surprise there. From F4 on it is very, very good.
At one third the current price of a 17-40L I have to say I am delighted. It is up there on the same level in all but focusing speed and close focusing ability.
For only a little more than the price of an 18-55 kit lens I have a fast well built third party lens that wont disappoint.
Find a used one and you have a real bargain!
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