So I'm interested in investing in a zoom lens soon and I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on Tokina lenses. I am at best an amateur photographer and I want to move up from my kit lens (not to mention I'm a college student and on a serious budget!). I was looking into a few:
1. AT-X 280 AF Pro 28-80mm f/2.8
2. AT-X 287 AF Pro 28-70mm f/2.8
3. AT-X 535 Pro DX AF 50-135mm f/2.8
i've used the first two but they werent all that great. the build quality on tokinas are great though, but wide open @ f/2.8 wasnt really that useable.
on the other hand if u can get a copy of the older 28-70 f/2.6-2.8, those are a bit better optically.
for that range I would consider getting a used tamron 28-75 on the B/S/T boards here.
It'll run you ~300USD and it covers all the key focal lengths in that range: 24, 28, 35, 50. You trade the ~70-80mm range for a wider 17mm focal length.
Tokina's wide angle lenses seem to get better ratings. I am very happy with the 12-24/4. When I go full frame I am really going to miss this lens: http://derek.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p5185955-4.jpg
Sara, I can second (or third!) folks here extolling the virtues of the 12–24/4: the copy I had outperformed the Nikon convincingly (I shot them back to back on the same location).
The ones you mention are very good lenses, but IMHO, are not the ideal length for crop cameras, if you are thinking about doing any event shooting. The Tamron that Saad mentioned has been rated well, as has the AF 16-50mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX (I have not used this myself). cheers, kl
Nice shot at the Bells! I am hoping that will be the case with the 17-40L. I have heard that there is a lot of sample variation with that lens, so I hope to get a sharp copy.
Then I will suppliment it with alternatives (eg - Leica or Zeiss 35mm, etc...).
