Any experience with the Tokina AT-X line?

jsherman999 · 09-23-2008, 01:26 PM

.

Was at the local shop over lunch and they had a K-mount Tokina AT-X 28-85 f/3.5 - 4.5 manual zoom. Exceptional build quality, large, heavy front element... The guy there said that AT-X was Tokina's flagship lens line for Nikon, and he raved about it.

Anyone use one of these, or know anything about them, good or bad?

.

Nesster · 09-23-2008, 01:32 PM

Never used one, some say these have some of the design feel of the time - ie. sharpness / contrast but not so good bokeh. But what do I know?

Anyway, you might like this ad from '85:

**tranq78** · 09-23-2008, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by jsherman999

.

Was at the local shop over lunch and they had a K-mount Tokina AT-X 28-85 f/3.5 - 4.5 manual zoom. Exceptional build quality, large, heavy front element... The guy there said that AT-X was Tokina's flagship lens line for Nikon, and he raved about it.

Anyone use one of these, or know anything about them, good or bad?
.

The AT-X line is indeed Tokina's flagship line, equivalent to the Pentax */LTD or Canon L stuff. I own the AT-X 20-35mm (the desirable early version) and 400mm (the desirable latest "SD" version) lenses. These lenses are ruggedly built of metal and glass.

I don't use the 20-35 much but I really like the 400, it's compact and easy to carry. Pictures are sharp, the colors pleasing. I would describe the image rendering as "light but contrasty", in other words very Pentax-like. I've never used the zoom you've described, but I would expect it to have similar performance.

valdi99 · 09-23-2008, 02:41 PM

I owned Tokina ATX SD 300mm/2.8 - a gem in sharpness and overall IQ. All the ATX Tokinas with red fringe ona barrel are known to be really good lenses.

Miserere · 09-23-2008, 02:49 PM

Hi J,

I am a big fan of the older Tokina AT-X line of lenses. I had the lens you mention and can attest to its great build and smoothness of function. I actually sold it some months ago to a forum member after I upgraded to another Tokina, the 28-70mm f/2.8-4.3. I also had the AT-X 35-70mm f/2.8 which was my low-light zoom until I purchased the Tammy 28-75. I still miss it. There is no other lens I've had that exhibited such a buttery focus ring. I still own the 28-70mm f/2.8-4.3, which while not designated as AT-X has the same build and optical properties.

I've found these lenses contrasty and colourful, as well as fricking sharp wide open, and they're the reason I stopped shooting with the kit lens. When I went to New York for two days over the Summer it was the 28-70mm f/2.8-4.3 I took as a walk-around, not the DA 18-55. Here's a pic:

The Sky Threatens

If you might be interested in purchasing it, I might be interested in selling it. I have more pics at home I can share if you want to see them.

By the way, I printed that pic to 18x22.5 and it looks awesome.

Here's another one I've got on Flickr:

As He Looked Away

Arjay Bee · 09-23-2008, 05:46 PM

I have posted a review of the Series one AT-X 80-400 in the other brands lens reviews on this site. I like it and it does what I need for that length. Search and you will see some examples on another thread where some one asked me specifically about this lens.

palmor · 09-23-2008, 06:42 PM

I have the Tokina AT-X 400 f/5.6 SD (latest version) and love it. It can have a little PF but nothing I can't take out with a little PP'ing. If there other AT-X glass is as good I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up

John

UliBär · 09-24-2008, 08:43 AM

I own the Tokina AT-X pro 28-70/2.6-2.8 II and i have to say, this is one of my favorite lenses! Although its a bit long on the short end on crop cameras i use it a lot. I use it in combination with the DA 12-24/4 and they both together give an excellent set for a sightseeing trip in the city.

Mechan1k · 09-24-2008, 06:57 PM

There's one photographer than uses an 80-500 AT-X on his Nikon for motorsport shooting.
It is a pretty decent lens ... his images are of excellent quality and he swears by it.

I agree as well ... his images are awesome.

09-23-2008, 01:26 PM	#1
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Any experience with the Tokina AT-X line? . Was at the local shop over lunch and they had a K-mount Tokina AT-X 28-85 f/3.5 - 4.5 manual zoom. Exceptional build quality, large, heavy front element... The guy there said that AT-X was Tokina's flagship lens line for Nikon, and he raved about it. Anyone use one of these, or know anything about them, good or bad? .

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09-23-2008, 01:32 PM	#2
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Never used one, some say these have some of the design feel of the time - ie. sharpness / contrast but not so good bokeh. But what do I know? Anyway, you might like this ad from '85:

09-23-2008, 01:53 PM	#3
tranq78 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,005	Originally posted by jsherman999 . Was at the local shop over lunch and they had a K-mount Tokina AT-X 28-85 f/3.5 - 4.5 manual zoom. Exceptional build quality, large, heavy front element... The guy there said that AT-X was Tokina's flagship lens line for Nikon, and he raved about it. Anyone use one of these, or know anything about them, good or bad? . The AT-X line is indeed Tokina's flagship line, equivalent to the Pentax */LTD or Canon L stuff. I own the AT-X 20-35mm (the desirable early version) and 400mm (the desirable latest "SD" version) lenses. These lenses are ruggedly built of metal and glass. I don't use the 20-35 much but I really like the 400, it's compact and easy to carry. Pictures are sharp, the colors pleasing. I would describe the image rendering as "light but contrasty", in other words very Pentax-like. I've never used the zoom you've described, but I would expect it to have similar performance.

09-23-2008, 02:41 PM	#4
valdi99 New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 9	I owned Tokina ATX SD 300mm/2.8 - a gem in sharpness and overall IQ. All the ATX Tokinas with red fringe ona barrel are known to be really good lenses.

09-23-2008, 02:49 PM	#5
Miserere Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,993	Hi J, I am a big fan of the older Tokina AT-X line of lenses. I had the lens you mention and can attest to its great build and smoothness of function. I actually sold it some months ago to a forum member after I upgraded to another Tokina, the 28-70mm f/2.8-4.3. I also had the AT-X 35-70mm f/2.8 which was my low-light zoom until I purchased the Tammy 28-75. I still miss it. There is no other lens I've had that exhibited such a buttery focus ring. I still own the 28-70mm f/2.8-4.3, which while not designated as AT-X has the same build and optical properties. I've found these lenses contrasty and colourful, as well as fricking sharp wide open, and they're the reason I stopped shooting with the kit lens. When I went to New York for two days over the Summer it was the 28-70mm f/2.8-4.3 I took as a walk-around, not the DA 18-55. Here's a pic: The Sky Threatens If you might be interested in purchasing it, I might be interested in selling it. I have more pics at home I can share if you want to see them. By the way, I printed that pic to 18x22.5 and it looks awesome. Here's another one I've got on Flickr: As He Looked Away

09-23-2008, 05:46 PM	#6
Arjay Bee Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Horn Island, Torres Straits, Q Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,713	I have posted a review of the Series one AT-X 80-400 in the other brands lens reviews on this site. I like it and it does what I need for that length. Search and you will see some examples on another thread where some one asked me specifically about this lens.

09-23-2008, 06:42 PM	#7
palmor Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North of Boston, MA Posts: 798	I have the Tokina AT-X 400 f/5.6 SD (latest version) and love it. It can have a little PF but nothing I can't take out with a little PP'ing. If there other AT-X glass is as good I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up John

09-24-2008, 08:43 AM	#8
UliBär Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Braunschweig, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 59	I own the Tokina AT-X pro 28-70/2.6-2.8 II and i have to say, this is one of my favorite lenses! Although its a bit long on the short end on crop cameras i use it a lot. I use it in combination with the DA 12-24/4 and they both together give an excellent set for a sightseeing trip in the city.

09-24-2008, 06:57 PM	#9
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	There's one photographer than uses an 80-500 AT-X on his Nikon for motorsport shooting. It is a pretty decent lens ... his images are of excellent quality and he swears by it. I agree as well ... his images are awesome.

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