[Arpe]

I'm looking at a second hand, but never used, Tokina Emz 130af 100mm-300mm 5.6-6.7.

Does anyone know anything about quality or build of this lens to help me make an informed decision? It does seem a tad slow for what I want, but it's quite cheap.

[Arpe]

Guess I won't bother then

[sklathill]

Tokina EMZs tend to be rather awful, and often are not Tokina so much as rebrands of other lenses found under other names, like Vivitar and Phoenix. I had a Tokina EMZ telezoom that indeed was a Cosina made lens and it just performed awfully.

[Arpe]

Thanks for that - I'll give it a miss.

[fwcetus]

I'm looking at a second hand, but never used, Tokina Emz 130af 100mm-300mm 5.6-6.7.

Does anyone know anything about quality or build of this lens to help me make an informed decision? It does seem a tad slow for what I want, but it's quite cheap.

I personally prefer the Tokina AT-X lenses, and avoid the other "lesser" models. (I don't say this trying to sound like a snob, but only to be helpful.) The AT-X lenses are generally of very high quality ("serious amateur" level), better in almost all ways than the "consumer" lenses. I own and have owned several manual focus AT-X zooms, and all are/were built like the proverbial tank, and all performed very well (except for one - the AT-X 150-500/5.6 was somewhat soft above 300mm or maybe 350mm).

If you are still looking for a 100-300 lens, I can highly recommend the older manual focus AT-X 100-300/4, a superb lens. (There is also a modern autofocus AT-X 100-300/4, but it is optically different and I have no experience with it, although I'll bet it's also a good lens.)

[Arpe]

Thanks mate. Too late now (it was on an auction) but at least I know to avoid the "emz" now. All these letters make me dizzy.

[trog100]

the secret is pay the right price.. if u get something u dont lke much put it back on ebay.. after a while u will get a nice collection..

as general rule i avoid older zooms the new tamron 70 to 300 cheapos do a better job and dont cost that much new..

trog

[Arpe]

No ebay here trog, it tried to make it here but we collectively rejected it in favour of a home grown alternative auction site. Good stuff!