I have a Tokina AT-X 150-500/f5.6. I've been very pleased with it. It
gives a whole new dimension to the idea of 'reach' for close-up work.
With a reproduction ratio of 1:3.5 at close focus at 500mm it gets
closer than a lot of 'macro focusing' zooms and does it at 8 feet! I've
done flower pix that I like a lot even closer with an extension tube. As
with most flower pix, only the central subject is in focus, so I can't
speak to edge sharpness with an extension. I think 'APO' is a bit of
hype by the seller. The AT-X lenses use low-dispersion glass (They call
it SD, but it's the same technology that others call LD and other
proprietary acronyms and Tamron used in the SP lenses), but they don't
claim to be apochromats. I've compared it informally to a Tamron 500/8
mirror lens and much prefer the results with the Tokina. Not only is the
Tokina sharper (with nice, smooth bokeh), but it gives control over DOF
with its variable aperture which is critical at long focal lengths. OTH
one can hand hold the mirror lens and the zoom is too big and heavy for
most people to do that with it.
My experience and what I've heard lead me to believe that performance
would be about the same for a Tamron SP, which is an Adaptall lens,
200-500/f5.6.
Focal Length 150-500 200-500
Aperture f5.6 f5.6
Min. Focus 2.5m 2.5m (1:3.5 repro ratio - macro by
advertising standards!)
Length 314.5mm 365mm (both with Nikon mt.)
Max. Dia. 104mm 105mm
Weight 2230g 2724g
Filter size
Front 95mm 95mm
Rear 35.5mm 43mm
The Tokina is rarer. I paid $445 with a much more useful Tamrac case
than the case either this Tokina or the Tamron comes with. I've seen one
other on eBay since. I think it was more $$, but don't seem to be able
to find my note on it. Tamrons have gone for $318-750 on eBay over the
last year or so.
Overall, I'm happy I stumbled on the Tokina before a Tamron. It's
shorter and lighter and covers a greater focal range.
Timpe, Jim wrote:
Would help if I double checked things before I hit send. It's a Tokina
lens, not a viv.
I know this isn't an OM mount, but is anyone out there familiar with this
lens. Quite an impressive piece of glass. Interested in any
comments/observations.
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