Anyone shot with the Tokina at-x 28-70 or 28-80 2.8?

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NathanHamler
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p.1 #1 · Anyone shot with the Tokina at-x 28-70 or 28-80 2.8?

So i just moved to FX (added a D3 to my stable), i've always been a zoom shooter (weddings), although, most of my FX lenses are primes, so i'm getting used to shooting with primes more, and i love, repeat, LOVE the sharpness and CONSISTENCY i get with primes...even cheap primes....way more consistent than my 17-55 could ever dream of being....anyway, right now i have a 24 2.8, 35 1.8 (that i kinda like the look of on FX), a 50 1.8, 85 1.8, a 70-210 f4 (now that it focus FAST on the D3, it's far more useful than on a DX body), and a Tokina 11-16 that works as a sweet 16mm prime on my D3....

Anyway, i wanna get an FX normal zoom, i'd rather not spend the coin on a 24-70 or nikon 28-70.....but for about $300-400 i can pick up a tokina 28-70 2.8...i mean, i know it's a tough lens, built really well, Angenieux design, but i'm just wondering if anyone here has used, or currently uses one, that can weigh in for me....My 17-55 is SHARP, but it's just not consistent....like sometimes it'll be deadly sharp at 55 wide open, and then sometimes it'll be a touch soft....at 17 it's pretty much sharp all the time....just wondering how the tokina could stack up....

Jan 11, 2013 at 06:26 AM

georgms
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p.1 #2 · Anyone shot with the Tokina at-x 28-70 or 28-80 2.8?

Nathan,
I've used the old Tokina 28-70/2.6-2.8 a lot back in the late 90's/early 2000's with analogue Nikons and later from time to time with several DSLR's. Several fellow photographers (news-photogs) were shooting this lens too.
Short verdict: nice optics in a shell that feels more rugged as it is. I know of 4 copies (in my city) who suffered from mechanical problems after some professional use. The lens feels great (apart from the kinda flimsy aperture-ring-lock), it's really heavy and nicely finished, but all 4 lenses wouldn't focus to infinity anymore after a while.
Apart from these problems it was collective estimation that the 28-70/2.6-2.8 was optically better than it's third-party rivals from Sigma and it's forerunner from Tokina (AT-X 28-70/2.8 with yellow ring).
I've shot very few pictures with my copy on a D700, but the files looked quite good (close range, open aperture).
Hope this helps and please excuse my weak English.

Jan 11, 2013 at 06:06 PM

NathanHamler
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p.1 #3 · Anyone shot with the Tokina at-x 28-70 or 28-80 2.8?

Thanks for the reply...i'm kinda going back and forth...i read so many mixed reviews of the tokina 28-70's, as there are at least 3 different variations of the lens....really tough call...i may just skip it, and wait and pick up a 28-70 or 24-70 down the road......decisions, decisions...

Jan 11, 2013 at 06:17 PM

georgms
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p.1 #4 · Anyone shot with the Tokina at-x 28-70 or 28-80 2.8?

The Tamron 28-75/2.8 might be another wallet-friendly option. Older copies (the ones with screwdriven-AF) can be found quite cheap. Good luck!

Jan 11, 2013 at 06:25 PM

NathanHamler
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p.1 #5 · Anyone shot with the Tokina at-x 28-70 or 28-80 2.8?

Eh, i've never had luck with tamron lenses...they always seem to hunt in low light, which is what i'm hearing is an issue with some of the tokina 28-70 models...

Jan 11, 2013 at 06:37 PM

jjf88
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p.1 #6 · Anyone shot with the Tokina at-x 28-70 or 28-80 2.8?

Nathan

I mostly shoot primes now, but I have the Tokina 28-70/2.6-2.8 as I wanted a zoom for when I needed . I sold my 24 70 Nikon to off set the prime switch over. My copy is so sharp, I think better than my 24 70. Built like a tank, little smaller, but it is heavy. What a great lens. Granted its not as quick as the 24 70, but it is so minor. Tack sharp wide open, Great lens. Granted not shooting it in the field everyday as a primary lens, but if you can find a mint copy , grab it. I really like this lens a lot. Does not really hunt in low light as far as I can see with my usage.

Jan 12, 2013 at 12:37 AM

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