pfjbaldwin
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Registered: Jul 27, 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Aug 16, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $529.00
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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compact, very sharp images, fast AF, tank like build quality, solid tripod collar
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Cons:
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plastic friction knob on tripod collar, no image stabilization
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I purchased this lens new after much deliberation between this and a Canon 70-300 IS, the price of both being about the same. I'm a semi-pro and shoot primarily sports, but bought this more as a travel lens. What a pleasant surprise when I started shooting. The IQ is better than the mid-range Canon 70-300 IS with strong colors and good saturation and the shots wide open handheld at 400mm were impressive. It compares very favorably with my Canon 100-400L in IQ and AF speed but is not as sharp nor as fast AF as my Sigma 120-300, 2.8. Looking at the images in my computer with no PP, I was counting the individual hairs on my golden retrievers's tail and the stitches on an American flag at full zoom, hand held and wide open.
I love this compact lens that's so easy to carry when traveling and produces such sharp images. I use a compact monopod to stabilize it at 400mm unless I am shooting with lots of light and can boost the shutter speed. It would be nice to have IS, but then it would price itself into my Canon 1-4L range. The included lens hood with an integrated wheel for turning a polarizing filter probably speaks to Tokina's intent to market this as a compact travel lens for which it is ideally suited.
At just over $500, this lens is probably the best value on the market that encompasses the 80-400mm focal lengths. This is a metal lens with Tokina build quality and smooth as silk zoom feel.
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