Hmm...I've never owned or used a Tokina; all the used examples I've seen
weren't in good condition so the opportunity hasn't come up. The one Tamron
I've owned (Canon FD mount) was an ohh-kaay performer, but nothing special.
Built like a tank, tho'.
OTOH, the '70s-'80s vintage Vivitars and Series 1 lenses I've had were very
good performers. Overall I'd say Fat Viv has been my fave, the old 28-90mm
f/2.8-3.5 Series 1 varifocal.
Strengths: only one-touch designs I've used that didn't slip; very sharp and
contrasty at all focal lengths when middle apertures are used (f/4-f/11),
becoming pleasantly soft for portraits wide open; continuous close focusing
design with little or no barrel distortion at 50mm; nice bokeh, tho' not up
to Zuiko or Canon standards.
Weaknesses: kinda heavy and bulky for my tastes; barrel distortion at
closest focusing range at 28mm; heavy vignetting from 28-50mm until stopped
down to f/5.6; crazy ghosting flare when aimed toward point light sources,
despite multi-coating - these ghosts can actually make right angle turns!
Wild.
Overall a handy, handy, handy, lens - the best value/performance compromise
I've found in this focal range. Sure, I'd take a Zuiko 35-80/2.8 - anybody
wanna trade even? Didn't think so. ;)
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