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GibbyTheMole · 02-06-2012, 01:20 PM

Hey all.

My wife wants a Tamron 500mm f8 mirror lens, but I found a pretty good deal on a Tokina. How does the Tokina stack up to the image quality of the Tamron?

Right now, she has a cheap Kalimar 500mm mirror lens. I know the Tamron is a big leap in quality... but what about the Tokina?

Cheers,
Bobbo :-)

**cheekygeek** · 02-06-2012, 01:46 PM

I can't speak to the Tokina, but the Tamron SP (either 52B or 52BB) are pretty much the Gold Standard of mirror lenses.
I had this lens and sold it, but would love to pick one up again:

**LaurenOE** · 02-06-2012, 01:51 PM

Don't forget that the Tokina can also be found as a "Sears" clone.

I've got the Tokina/Sears and it's pretty good.
I also have 2 of the Sigma 600mm and never use them.
I also have the Pentax SMC 1000mm.
I also have the Pentax 500mm spotting scope, which can be turned into a camera lens.

Yes, I've experimented with mirror lenses.

GibbyTheMole · 02-06-2012, 03:28 PM

Yeah, I know those Tamrons are very good, (as is the Russian 3M-CA, which is my 500mm weapon of choice), but I'd like to know how the Tokina stacks up to the Tamron. My wife already has one of those ubiquitous, cheap, mediocre mirror lenses, so if I buy the Tokina, I'd like to to be significantly better than the one she has now.

Originally posted by LaurenOE

I've got the Tokina/Sears and it's pretty good.

So, Lauren... Had any experience with the Tamron or 3M-5CA that you could compare the Tokina to?

Cheers,
Bobbo :-)

**LaurenOE** · 02-06-2012, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by GibbyTheMole

Yeah, I know those Tamrons are very good, (as is the Russian 3M-CA, which is my 500mm weapon of choice), but I'd like to know how the Tokina stacks up to the Tamron. My wife already has one of those ubiquitous, cheap, mediocre mirror lenses, so if I buy the Tokina, I'd like to to be significantly better than the one she has now.

So, Lauren... Had any experience with the Tamron or 3M-5CA that you could compare the Tokina to?

Cheers,
Bobbo :-)

No.

I tried to get one once, but they are hard to come by.

excanonfd · 02-06-2012, 10:13 PM

Other than this comparison between Tamron 55B, Minolta 500/8 and Tokina 500/8, I haven't seen anything else: Tamron SP Adaptall-2 500mm F/8 Model 55B I doubt that Kalimar 500/8 has ever been tested like the three mentioned above, and any test will have to be conducted by yourself after you've acquired the Tamron or Tokina.

Frogfish · 02-07-2012, 12:23 PM

The Tamron 500BB is only around $100-120. Don't compromise, just find yourself a good one on EBay.

GibbyTheMole · 02-07-2012, 04:27 PM

Originally posted by Frogfish

The Tamron 500BB is only around $100-120.

I haven't seen one on eBay for $120 for forever. They're more like $250 on eBay. KEH has 'em for $160, which isn't bad, but still... I'm picking up a Tokina from another member for $80. While not the equal of the Tamron or the 3M-5CA, it seems to be decent. If my wife doesn't like it I can always get my money back out of it & try again.

Frogfish · 02-07-2012, 08:49 PM

Originally posted by GibbyTheMole

I haven't seen one on eBay for $120 for forever. They're more like $250 on eBay. KEH has 'em for $160, which isn't bad, but still... I'm picking up a Tokina from another member for $80. While not the equal of the Tamron or the 3M-5CA, it seems to be decent. If my wife doesn't like it I can always get my money back out of it & try again.

Wow. The prices of these have rocketed since I bought mine 2 years ago. KEH (or B&H) seems like the best best. Good luck with the Tokina.

zman · 02-08-2012, 06:13 AM

Hi, I have a Tokina 500 mirror that I use with my K7. I was never thoroughly enthused with my pics from it - they always seemed a bit soft in comparison to what I saw from others posted in the Mirror Lens Club. I also have a recently acquired Russian 3M-5CA mirror which I absolutely love. My pics are sharper and despite the larger size of the 3M, I find myself being able to steady the lens better on hand-held shots.

creampuff · 02-08-2012, 06:54 AM

Don't waste money on the Tokina. The Tamron is a lot better optically.

CountBiscotti · 04-01-2023, 11:08 AM

This is an old conversation, but since I have both sitting in front of me, bought used, I thought I'd add my two cents worth:
The copy of the Tamron I have here (52BB) is a tad sharper and a tad more contrasty.
On the other hand, the copy at hand of the Tokina is no slouch, and would certainly do until the real thing came along!!

**longbo** · 04-01-2023, 01:33 PM

I've had both the Tokina and the Tamron. The Tokina I had gave pretty good results, but I had the chance of the Tamron at a good price, so I went for that. I think it's better built than the Tokina and I'd say it's a tad sharper too, but my Tokina certainly wasn't a disaster. I've read other views on mirror lenses over the years and there would seem to be quite a variation in the performance of particular models of these lenses - perhaps more so than "normal" lenses - so perhaps there's a bit of luck involved when you're buying a used model as you are here. Tokina lenses seem more common, so I think it's worth buying a Tokina if you see one at a reasonable price, but as an earlier poster recommended, you could then keep an eye out for a Tamron!

Incidentally, as you may know, the Tokina lens comes in specific camera fittings, though it's possible to swap the mounts from a non-working model if needed. The Tamron has the Tamron universal fitting, so you can convert it with the appropriate adaptor as required.

Best of luck!

02-06-2012, 01:20 PM	#1
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275	Tokina vs. Tamron 500mm mirror lens - How do they compare? Hey all. My wife wants a Tamron 500mm f8 mirror lens, but I found a pretty good deal on a Tokina. How does the Tokina stack up to the image quality of the Tamron? Right now, she has a cheap Kalimar 500mm mirror lens. I know the Tamron is a big leap in quality... but what about the Tokina? Cheers, Bobbo :-)

04-01-2023, 11:08 AM	#12
CountBiscotti New Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Posts: 1	Tokina vs Tamron 500mm Mirror Lens This is an old conversation, but since I have both sitting in front of me, bought used, I thought I'd add my two cents worth: The copy of the Tamron I have here (52BB) is a tad sharper and a tad more contrasty. On the other hand, the copy at hand of the Tokina is no slouch, and would certainly do until the real thing came along!!

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02-06-2012, 01:46 PM	#2
cheekygeek Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kearney, Nebraska USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,261	I can't speak to the Tokina, but the Tamron SP (either 52B or 52BB) are pretty much the Gold Standard of mirror lenses. I had this lens and sold it, but would love to pick one up again:

02-06-2012, 01:51 PM	#3
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	Don't forget that the Tokina can also be found as a "Sears" clone. I've got the Tokina/Sears and it's pretty good. I also have 2 of the Sigma 600mm and never use them. I also have the Pentax SMC 1000mm. I also have the Pentax 500mm spotting scope, which can be turned into a camera lens. Yes, I've experimented with mirror lenses.

02-06-2012, 03:28 PM	#4
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275 Original Poster	Yeah, I know those Tamrons are very good, (as is the Russian 3M-CA, which is my 500mm weapon of choice), but I'd like to know how the Tokina stacks up to the Tamron. My wife already has one of those ubiquitous, cheap, mediocre mirror lenses, so if I buy the Tokina, I'd like to to be significantly better than the one she has now. Originally posted by LaurenOE I've got the Tokina/Sears and it's pretty good. So, Lauren... Had any experience with the Tamron or 3M-5CA that you could compare the Tokina to? Cheers, Bobbo :-)

02-06-2012, 04:04 PM	#5
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	Originally posted by GibbyTheMole Yeah, I know those Tamrons are very good, (as is the Russian 3M-CA, which is my 500mm weapon of choice), but I'd like to know how the Tokina stacks up to the Tamron. My wife already has one of those ubiquitous, cheap, mediocre mirror lenses, so if I buy the Tokina, I'd like to to be significantly better than the one she has now. So, Lauren... Had any experience with the Tamron or 3M-5CA that you could compare the Tokina to? Cheers, Bobbo :-) No. I tried to get one once, but they are hard to come by.

02-06-2012, 10:13 PM	#6
excanonfd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,421	Other than this comparison between Tamron 55B, Minolta 500/8 and Tokina 500/8, I haven't seen anything else: Tamron SP Adaptall-2 500mm F/8 Model 55B I doubt that Kalimar 500/8 has ever been tested like the three mentioned above, and any test will have to be conducted by yourself after you've acquired the Tamron or Tokina.

02-07-2012, 12:23 PM	#7
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	The Tamron 500BB is only around $100-120. Don't compromise, just find yourself a good one on EBay.

02-07-2012, 04:27 PM	#8
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275 Original Poster	Originally posted by Frogfish The Tamron 500BB is only around $100-120. I haven't seen one on eBay for $120 for forever. They're more like $250 on eBay. KEH has 'em for $160, which isn't bad, but still... I'm picking up a Tokina from another member for $80. While not the equal of the Tamron or the 3M-5CA, it seems to be decent. If my wife doesn't like it I can always get my money back out of it & try again.

02-07-2012, 08:49 PM	#9
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by GibbyTheMole I haven't seen one on eBay for $120 for forever. They're more like $250 on eBay. KEH has 'em for $160, which isn't bad, but still... I'm picking up a Tokina from another member for $80. While not the equal of the Tamron or the 3M-5CA, it seems to be decent. If my wife doesn't like it I can always get my money back out of it & try again. Wow. The prices of these have rocketed since I bought mine 2 years ago. KEH (or B&H) seems like the best best. Good luck with the Tokina.

02-08-2012, 06:13 AM	#10
zman Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Western NY Photos: Albums Posts: 515	Hi, I have a Tokina 500 mirror that I use with my K7. I was never thoroughly enthused with my pics from it - they always seemed a bit soft in comparison to what I saw from others posted in the Mirror Lens Club. I also have a recently acquired Russian 3M-5CA mirror which I absolutely love. My pics are sharper and despite the larger size of the 3M, I find myself being able to steady the lens better on hand-held shots.

02-08-2012, 06:54 AM	#11
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Don't waste money on the Tokina. The Tamron is a lot better optically.

04-01-2023, 01:33 PM	#13
longbo Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 98	I've had both the Tokina and the Tamron. The Tokina I had gave pretty good results, but I had the chance of the Tamron at a good price, so I went for that. I think it's better built than the Tokina and I'd say it's a tad sharper too, but my Tokina certainly wasn't a disaster. I've read other views on mirror lenses over the years and there would seem to be quite a variation in the performance of particular models of these lenses - perhaps more so than "normal" lenses - so perhaps there's a bit of luck involved when you're buying a used model as you are here. Tokina lenses seem more common, so I think it's worth buying a Tokina if you see one at a reasonable price, but as an earlier poster recommended, you could then keep an eye out for a Tamron! Incidentally, as you may know, the Tokina lens comes in specific camera fittings, though it's possible to swap the mounts from a non-working model if needed. The Tamron has the Tamron universal fitting, so you can convert it with the appropriate adaptor as required. Best of luck!

Tokina vs. Tamron 500mm mirror lens - How do they compare?

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