Question regarding a Tokina 35-70mm lens

Penumbra · 03-16-2011, 02:39 AM

Well met good people!

I am the owner of my first DSLR (though already payed, it's yet to reach me from the USA thanks to a friend) - it is a Pentax k-r with the 2 kit lens 18-55 & 55-300mm.

Searching for a fixed focal lens i came across a cheap lens i could buy, a Tokina 35-77mm who's picture you'll see below. My question is, what could you advise me regarding this lens? It seems to have auto focus but to me it looks like an old, manual focus lens. Is it a good lens (sharper than the 18-55 kit, though the focul length covers a whole different area and i should rather compare it with the 55-300?). So, I'm interested in it's IQ output mainly, other features are not that important.

Thank you in advance for the answers!

Attached Images

**nater** · 03-16-2011, 10:48 AM

You say you were searching for a "fixed focal lens", but that is a zoom lens. That Tokina is one of their more entry-level lenses of the film era, compared to say their pro "AT-X" line which was built to higher optical standards. It is a full-frame lens, so it has more glass in it than the kit 18-55mm you will be getting because it was designed to project a larger image inside the camera. On a film or full-frame camera, 35-70mm is a somewhat similar range to 18-55mm. I wouldn't recommend you bother with this Tokina. The zoom range is overlaps the lenses you have now, and while I haven't done any direct comparisons, I think both of those kit lenses will be better optically than this Tokina.

Penumbra · 03-16-2011, 01:36 PM

Aha, i see! Thank you, nater!

RioRico · 03-16-2011, 03:57 PM

This is indeed an autofocus zoom. It may or may not be for a Pentax mount -- we would need to see the lens base to tell. It probably fits within my rule-of-thumb: If it costs less than a sandwich or hamburger, buy it. If it costs more than a large pizza, think about it very carefully. I'd say that if you can get it for US$15, go for it! If the price is higher, don't.

**nater** · 03-17-2011, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

It may or may not be for a Pentax mount -- we would need to see the lens base to tell.

Based on the picture it's very likely a KAF mount lens, since you can see the lowest aperture is on the right side of the ring when mounted on a body, and it has the "A" aperture lock/unlock button on the left. That aperture ring rules out Canon, Nikon, and a few other mounts, and matches a KAF mount.

Penumbra · 03-17-2011, 04:12 PM

Much appreciated, gentlemen! Price for it is higher, Rico

, approx. 50$

So, i'll keep calm for now. Many thanks for your advice!

RioRico · 03-18-2011, 06:19 AM

I recall someone here proposed a lens.club for cheap FF kit zooms. Cheap, like under US$25. My AF SMC-F35-70 (US$11) and Tamron 28-70 (US$10) and MF SMC-A35-80 (US$13) all qualify. My MF Tokina RMC 35-135 (US$9) and Tomioka 55-135 (US$8) are a bit long for that club but were certainly cheap enough. Lenses comparable to that AF Tokina 35-70 should be found for around US$30 shipped, maximum. If it had more premium optics, like an AT-X series, then US$65 or more might be justified. Or if currencies are weak enough.

03-16-2011, 02:39 AM	#1
Penumbra Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Suceava, Romania Photos: Albums Posts: 139	Question regarding a Tokina 35-70mm lens Well met good people! I am the owner of my first DSLR (though already payed, it's yet to reach me from the USA thanks to a friend) - it is a Pentax k-r with the 2 kit lens 18-55 & 55-300mm. Searching for a fixed focal lens i came across a cheap lens i could buy, a Tokina 35-77mm who's picture you'll see below. My question is, what could you advise me regarding this lens? It seems to have auto focus but to me it looks like an old, manual focus lens. Is it a good lens (sharper than the 18-55 kit, though the focul length covers a whole different area and i should rather compare it with the 55-300?). So, I'm interested in it's IQ output mainly, other features are not that important. Thank you in advance for the answers! Attached Images

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03-16-2011, 10:48 AM	#2
nater Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New England Photos: Albums Posts: 706	You say you were searching for a "fixed focal lens", but that is a zoom lens. That Tokina is one of their more entry-level lenses of the film era, compared to say their pro "AT-X" line which was built to higher optical standards. It is a full-frame lens, so it has more glass in it than the kit 18-55mm you will be getting because it was designed to project a larger image inside the camera. On a film or full-frame camera, 35-70mm is a somewhat similar range to 18-55mm. I wouldn't recommend you bother with this Tokina. The zoom range is overlaps the lenses you have now, and while I haven't done any direct comparisons, I think both of those kit lenses will be better optically than this Tokina.

03-16-2011, 01:36 PM	#3
Penumbra Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Suceava, Romania Photos: Albums Posts: 139 Original Poster	Aha, i see! Thank you, nater!

03-16-2011, 03:57 PM	#4
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	This is indeed an autofocus zoom. It may or may not be for a Pentax mount -- we would need to see the lens base to tell. It probably fits within my rule-of-thumb: If it costs less than a sandwich or hamburger, buy it. If it costs more than a large pizza, think about it very carefully. I'd say that if you can get it for US$15, go for it! If the price is higher, don't.

03-17-2011, 08:43 AM	#5
nater Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New England Photos: Albums Posts: 706	Originally posted by RioRico It may or may not be for a Pentax mount -- we would need to see the lens base to tell. Based on the picture it's very likely a KAF mount lens, since you can see the lowest aperture is on the right side of the ring when mounted on a body, and it has the "A" aperture lock/unlock button on the left. That aperture ring rules out Canon, Nikon, and a few other mounts, and matches a KAF mount.

03-17-2011, 04:12 PM	#6
Penumbra Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Suceava, Romania Photos: Albums Posts: 139 Original Poster	Much appreciated, gentlemen! Price for it is higher, Rico , approx. 50$ So, i'll keep calm for now. Many thanks for your advice!

03-18-2011, 06:19 AM	#7
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	I recall someone here proposed a lens.club for cheap FF kit zooms. Cheap, like under US$25. My AF SMC-F35-70 (US$11) and Tamron 28-70 (US$10) and MF SMC-A35-80 (US$13) all qualify. My MF Tokina RMC 35-135 (US$9) and Tomioka 55-135 (US$8) are a bit long for that club but were certainly cheap enough. Lenses comparable to that AF Tokina 35-70 should be found for around US$30 shipped, maximum. If it had more premium optics, like an AT-X series, then US$65 or more might be justified. Or if currencies are weak enough.