VTXT wrote:
The light advantage may "look" like only half a stop at F4 vs F5, but in reality in terms of the actual amount of light entering the lens, the advantage will be a full stop. Specification of the 70-300 at 200MM does not make it a F5 lens, it still is a F5.6 lens and it will show if you actually test it.
For example, if you shoot the tokina 70-200 at 200mm F4, vs the 70-300 at 200mm, under a controlled testing environment, the Tokina will clearly register an image brighter even if both lenses are shot at same aperture and shutter.
Try a 50mm 1.4D and 24-70 at 50mm f2.8 Even though both lenses are set to the same parameters, the prime will capture a scene brighter than the zoom simply because it is a "brighter" lens.
I fully understand the difference between t-stops and f-stops. What I don't understand is how you can be so confident of the superior transmissive qualities of a lens that currently exists only in a press release. Impressive.
Since we're speculating about reported specifications that may or may not match actual performance, I wonder if the new lens will actually be 200mm at all focus distances. Said information (which is not currently available to me, given my relatively weak prognostic abilities) would surely be a factor in making any meaningful comparison with other lenses.
Some new info over at photorumors puts the release date at August possibly, only with an estimated price when converted = $1300 USD, but they clarify over and over this could change. Well it better change if they hope to sell it because I'm certainly not going to pay that price for a third party lens when you can get a Canon version for less. Granted I shoot Nikon now, but I still think that is too much for an f/4 lens.
wjmeyer wrote:
Some new info over at photorumors puts the release date at August possibly, only with an estimated price when converted = $1300 USD, but they clarify over and over this could change. Well it better change if they hope to sell it because I'm certainly not going to pay that price for a third party lens when you can get a Canon version for less. Granted I shoot Nikon now, but I still think that is too much for an f/4 lens.
If it MSRP's for $1300, maybe a $900 street price. Maybe.
Yes, they obviously don't "know" for certain, maybe they're testing the waters by throwing these things out there and seeing how much negative chatter there is, but yes, let's hope street price is much better
Smiert Spionam wrote:
I still don't see how you spend $1k plus to gain a half stop over a lens that already exists. The Nikon 70-300VR is at least decently fast to AF, has very good stabilization, and great image quality wide open at 200mm.
It may be "great" at 200 but it's not as good as a 70-200/2.8 VR II or Canon 70-200/4 IS. Or just about any other well-made modern 70-200 lens in existence. The reason is that the 70-200 is of an optical design that produces excellent lenses but due to physical limitations WRT floating groups can't have more than a 3X zoom range. Currently this design produces the best zoom lenses you can make. What's attractive about this is that it may perform like any other modern 70-200 lens, but with the bulk and at the pricepoint of an f/4.
This type of lens design is internally zoomed, internally focused, highly durable, easy to keep free of dust and gunk and easy to seal up. They make excellent workhorses which is why they're a pro staple.
Sounds like a winner. Tokina makes great lenses. The 12-24 is my workhorse wide angle. I acquired a second Tokina but the D7000 body is unable to differentiate between the two when using the AF fine tuning. I hope Tokina chips this new lens so the D7000 can tell them apart.
I've always loved Tokina kit, good value and built to pro standards. Problem for Tokina is that Canon have completely mapped out the 70-200 focal length, with 4 models - f4 with or without stabilisation, f2.8 with or without stabilisation.
Tokina's new lens will need to be priced between the Canon 70-200 f4 non IS and the 70-200 f4 IS. These are both unusually well regarded lenses! Plus their build quality is certainly of the best. This is a critical focal length for many pros.
^ David, you do realize you're in a NIKON Forum don't you
Doubt the previous posters care what Canon offers in this range. Nikon has no f4's
The Tokina (in your camp) will have to be priced under a used f4L IS...or it won't sell well.
Well, Tokina can't charge Nikon users one price, and Canon users a different much lower one surely? If the exisitence of the Canon 70-200s limits the price of the Tokina in Canon mount am I wrong to think that this will feed over and give the Nikon guys a similarly advantageous price?
I do like reading the Nikon pages, I've got a Nikkor 50mm and a 28mm f3.5 PC which I use on my 5D2 with adaptors. Its not impossible I might one day also pickup a D700 and a telephoto and voila, I've got a Nikon outfit!
David Baldwin wrote:
I do like reading the Nikon pages, I've got a Nikkor 50mm and a 28mm f3.5 PC which I use on my 5D2 with adaptors. Its not impossible I might one day also pickup a D700 and a telephoto and voila, I've got a Nikon outfit!
Don't do it! You'll end by selling your Canon gear!
David Baldwin wrote:
Well, Tokina can't charge Nikon users one price, and Canon users a different much lower one surely? If the exisitence of the Canon 70-200s limits the price of the Tokina in Canon mount am I wrong to think that this will feed over and give the Nikon guys a similarly advantageous price?
No, I think you have a very good point. Hopefully it shakes out that way.
It could very well be that Tokina is aiming this lens at the Nikon market knowing full well how popular Canons version has been. As I see it they have two choices - if they nailed the optical formula and the new technologies (for Tokina) really work and this lens is at least as good as the Canon version they could try and sell it for more or they allow street prices to be competitive and grab not only Nikon shooters but also some Canon shooters as well. When has an aftermarket mfg been able to sell basically the same lens for more than the mfg's own version? I'm sure it's happened but not very often.
Well, you can't compare Tokina with Tamron. You can beat a Tam into sub-atomic particles with a Tok and the Tok will keep on ticking. Same thing with Sig auto-focus. They just don't hold up to usage. Also, remember that Tokina is a part of Hoya which was started by Nikon lens engineers and they get their chips from Nikon where Tam and Sig cobble up their own so the Tokina will work on Nikon bodies down the road.
CA on Tokina? I've owned and have several never really had any issue with it and I've had hi end Nikon glass that was nothing to write home about in that respect.
If I didn't have my 70/200 2.8 I'd be very tempted on this. My only regret is not buying that Tokina 300/2.8 when I had the chance as they seem to be made out of unobtainium now.
wjmeyer wrote:
It could very well be that Tokina is aiming this lens at the Nikon market knowing full well how popular Canons version has been. As I see it they have two choices - if they nailed the optical formula and the new technologies (for Tokina) really work and this lens is at least as good as the Canon version they could try and sell it for more or they allow street prices to be competitive and grab not only Nikon shooters but also some Canon shooters as well. When has an aftermarket mfg been able to sell basically the same lens for more than the mfg's own version? I'm sure it's happened but not very often. ...Show more →
Not often and if the prices are similar where is Tokina when there is a 70-200/4 VR Nikkor?
Stdon wrote:
My only regret is not buying that Tokina 300/2.8 when I had the chance as they seem to be made out of unobtainium now.
They're not, I had no trouble finding one last year to check out. Unfortunately, it was pretty soft at 2.8, and I think that money would be better spent on a faster focusing, smaller Nikon 300/4.
Stdon wrote:
Also, remember that Tokina is a part of Hoya which was started by Nikon lens engineers and they get their chips from Nikon where Tam and Sig cobble up their own so the Tokina will work on Nikon bodies down the road.
So the story goes, but I haven't seen evidence that Tokina sources chips from Nikon. Do you know that to be true? I ask, because I do see the odd compatibility complaint on the web, often related to Live View autofocus.
EB-1 wrote:
Not often and if the prices are similar where is Tokina when there is a 70-200/4 VR Nikkor?
EBH
Exactly, but they might be able to milk some photographers at a higher price until Nikon delivers a similar lens (which I really hope they will considering they have a 16-35 f/4 and a 24-120 f/4... the next logical lens would be the 70-200 f/4, unless they are thinking of a 100-300 f/4 VR ) Once Nikon has something comparable, then Tokina could conveniently lower it's price, but to be honest, I think a new Nikon 70-200 f/4 VR would probably run in the $1400 range based on current pricing of some of their lenses, but still much better than what Canon seems to think they can charge for their newest L's, a 24-70 f/2.8 at $2300 seems rather ludicrous.
as well as the trademark CA, and unproven AF abilities. 
Wow! 
don't you 
based on current pricing of some of their lenses, but still much better than what Canon seems to think they can charge for their newest L's, a 24-70 f/2.8 at $2300 seems rather ludicrous.