Nikor zoom lens question

Leonard Levy · February 2nd, 2009, 07:23 PM

Dan,

Does your Tokina have Pro II written on the lens?
Mine is a 28 -70 2.6 - 2.8 but it only says ATX Pro. Cost was about the same used. I've always assumed that was the top of the line.

I wished it tracked focus, but it changes through the zoom range.

How well does the Nikon 20 -35 compare to the 17 - 35, and likewise what do you think of the alternative Nikons compared to the Tokina 28 - 70.
If I could afford all 3 Nikon Zooms I'd do it.
By the way the Tokina 80-200 f2.8 is also a decent poor man's alternative to the Nikon, but not as sharp.

Dan Chung · February 2nd, 2009, 08:29 PM

Leonard,

It doesn't say Pro II on it, but you can tell by the finish, compare it with this one Review Tokina AT-X 287 series - PlanetNikon Forums

Not so much top of the line but best of the bunch IMHO. My focus does stray a little when zooming but if you focus at the long end then pull back it really isn't far off, certainly usable.

I have the current Nikon 24-70 f2.8, Canon 24-70 f2.8L and the Tokina. They rank pretty much in that order for quality but for video use I find the Tokina has better manual control and a nicer focus ring. It also has a look to the image that I like and I often use it as my carry round video lens. It is one of a very few independent lenses I would ever use.

The Nikon 20-35 is very good but not quite in the 17-35 league but it can be bought much much cheaper and has nice manual focus compared to newer glass. I'd take it over other independent 17-35's like the Sigmas or Tamrons. I don't agree with Ken Rockwell on much but his review of this lens is pretty on the money Nikon 20-35mm f/2.8 Review

Both the Nikon 20-35 and Tokina 28-70 ATX Pro II are much underrated IMHO.

Bruce S. Yarock · February 2nd, 2009, 08:56 PM

dan,
I thought it had a zoom ring. Any idea where I might finf that Tokina?
Bruce

Dan Chung · February 2nd, 2009, 09:12 PM

I think you just need to strike lucky. I was only looking a week before I found mine. Keh, B&H and ebay are all good places, one will turn up eventually. Otherwise place a wanted ad on some of the popular photography sites, there's always someone trading up to the latest Nikon.

Dan

Leonard Levy · February 2nd, 2009, 10:38 PM

Dan, I meant top of the line Tokina.

I think I have the same lens then , I think its the only one that is 2.6 - 2.8.
The Tokina's seem to to be the best off brand of the bunch in my reading and experience so far.
The Tokina has 2 hash marks for focusing - one for 28mm and one for 70 so that is your guide to keeping good focus.

+Of course having proper back focus with the adapter is the critical thing. My Nikon 80-200 holds it perfect and its my guide to whether my back focus is correct.

I will look into the 20 - 35. Thanks

Bruce S. Yarock · February 3rd, 2009, 05:10 AM

Dan,
keh has two available. The 28-70 is $199 and the 28-80 is $469. Is the 28-70 a good lens for our purposes?
thanks
Bruce Yarock

Cameras and used cameras available from KEH Camera Brokers.

Dan Chung · February 3rd, 2009, 09:04 PM

Sadly that is not the ProII, you could try it but I would personally keep looking

Dan

Bruce S. Yarock · February 6th, 2009, 06:20 PM

Dan,
I picked up a Tokina from B+H for $149 plus shipping.It's not the pro 11, it's the 2.6-2.8 model. I got it today, and played with it a bit. It's a nice image,is well built, and seems to hold focus throughout the range. The only problem is that as you get closer to the wide end, the zoom ring gets tight.Not sure if that is normal. They give a 15 day return policy, so I figured I was safe.
let me know what you think.
Bruce
Yarock Video and Photo

Dan Chung · February 6th, 2009, 07:25 PM

It shouldn't get tight but at the price it seems reasonable if you are happy with the images. Happy shooting.

Dan

Bruce S. Yarock · February 6th, 2009, 07:29 PM

I'll take it to my local repair guy and ask him what he thinks about the tightness.It happens between 35 and 28mm.
I haven't actually recorded anything, just fooled around through the hd monitor. I'll also try it on one of my dslr's.
Bruce

Bruce S. Yarock · February 8th, 2009, 09:27 PM

Dan,
What do you know bout this lens?

80-200 F2.8 TOKINA SD ATX AI (77) 35MM SLR MANUAL FOCUS ZOOM TELEPHOTO LENS

Thanks
Bruce yarock

Dan Chung · February 11th, 2009, 10:04 AM

Bruce,

I used to have this lens and it is so so wide open, try finding the Nikon 80-200 f2.8D two touch zoom lens instead.

Dan

February 2nd, 2009, 07:23 PM	#16
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	Dan, Does your Tokina have Pro II written on the lens? Mine is a 28 -70 2.6 - 2.8 but it only says ATX Pro. Cost was about the same used. I've always assumed that was the top of the line. I wished it tracked focus, but it changes through the zoom range. How well does the Nikon 20 -35 compare to the 17 - 35, and likewise what do you think of the alternative Nikons compared to the Tokina 28 - 70. If I could afford all 3 Nikon Zooms I'd do it. By the way the Tokina 80-200 f2.8 is also a decent poor man's alternative to the Nikon, but not as sharp.

February 2nd, 2009, 08:29 PM	#17
Dan Chung Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Beijing Posts: 665	Leonard, It doesn't say Pro II on it, but you can tell by the finish, compare it with this one Review Tokina AT-X 287 series - PlanetNikon Forums Not so much top of the line but best of the bunch IMHO. My focus does stray a little when zooming but if you focus at the long end then pull back it really isn't far off, certainly usable. I have the current Nikon 24-70 f2.8, Canon 24-70 f2.8L and the Tokina. They rank pretty much in that order for quality but for video use I find the Tokina has better manual control and a nicer focus ring. It also has a look to the image that I like and I often use it as my carry round video lens. It is one of a very few independent lenses I would ever use. The Nikon 20-35 is very good but not quite in the 17-35 league but it can be bought much much cheaper and has nice manual focus compared to newer glass. I'd take it over other independent 17-35's like the Sigmas or Tamrons. I don't agree with Ken Rockwell on much but his review of this lens is pretty on the money Nikon 20-35mm f/2.8 Review Both the Nikon 20-35 and Tokina 28-70 ATX Pro II are much underrated IMHO.

February 2nd, 2009, 08:56 PM	#18
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	dan, I thought it had a zoom ring. Any idea where I might finf that Tokina? Bruce

February 2nd, 2009, 09:12 PM	#19
Dan Chung Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Beijing Posts: 665	I think you just need to strike lucky. I was only looking a week before I found mine. Keh, B&H and ebay are all good places, one will turn up eventually. Otherwise place a wanted ad on some of the popular photography sites, there's always someone trading up to the latest Nikon. Dan

February 2nd, 2009, 10:38 PM	#20
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	Dan, I meant top of the line Tokina. I think I have the same lens then , I think its the only one that is 2.6 - 2.8. The Tokina's seem to to be the best off brand of the bunch in my reading and experience so far. The Tokina has 2 hash marks for focusing - one for 28mm and one for 70 so that is your guide to keeping good focus. +Of course having proper back focus with the adapter is the critical thing. My Nikon 80-200 holds it perfect and its my guide to whether my back focus is correct. I will look into the 20 - 35. Thanks

February 3rd, 2009, 05:10 AM	#21
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Dan, keh has two available. The 28-70 is $199 and the 28-80 is $469. Is the 28-70 a good lens for our purposes? thanks Bruce Yarock Cameras and used cameras available from KEH Camera Brokers.

February 3rd, 2009, 09:04 PM	#22
Dan Chung Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Beijing Posts: 665	Sadly that is not the ProII, you could try it but I would personally keep looking Dan

February 6th, 2009, 06:20 PM	#23
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Dan, I picked up a Tokina from B+H for $149 plus shipping.It's not the pro 11, it's the 2.6-2.8 model. I got it today, and played with it a bit. It's a nice image,is well built, and seems to hold focus throughout the range. The only problem is that as you get closer to the wide end, the zoom ring gets tight.Not sure if that is normal. They give a 15 day return policy, so I figured I was safe. let me know what you think. Bruce Yarock Video and Photo

February 6th, 2009, 07:25 PM	#24
Dan Chung Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Beijing Posts: 665	It shouldn't get tight but at the price it seems reasonable if you are happy with the images. Happy shooting. Dan

February 6th, 2009, 07:29 PM	#25
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	I'll take it to my local repair guy and ask him what he thinks about the tightness.It happens between 35 and 28mm. I haven't actually recorded anything, just fooled around through the hd monitor. I'll also try it on one of my dslr's. Bruce

February 8th, 2009, 09:27 PM	#26
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Dan, What do you know bout this lens? 80-200 F2.8 TOKINA SD ATX AI (77) 35MM SLR MANUAL FOCUS ZOOM TELEPHOTO LENS Thanks Bruce yarock

February 11th, 2009, 10:04 AM	#27
Dan Chung Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Beijing Posts: 665	Bruce, I used to have this lens and it is so so wide open, try finding the Nikon 80-200 f2.8D two touch zoom lens instead. Dan