Promaster 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 (made by Tokina?)

**igowerf** · 05-18-2007, 08:16 PM

I've been looking for a wider lens to use with my Pentax ME Super and I found someone selling an auto-focus 19-35mm made by Promaster on the Milwaukee Craigslist site. I should be getting it sometime next week, but I wanted to ask if anyone here has had any experience with these generic 19-35mm lenses on film.

The reviews that I read seemed generally positive, except for the build quality. These lenses seem to be rebadged Tokinas.

After I bought it, I also realized that the AF version will have a looser focusing ring, which might be annoying to use with the ME Super. I might end up trading for an MF 19-35mm if I don't like how it feels.

So anyone used this lens before on a film camera? What are your thoughts?

**igowerf** · 05-22-2007, 07:35 PM

Really no one? What about the Vivitar Series 1 version?

FotoPete · 05-22-2007, 08:41 PM

Made by Cosina. All variants i think, including the Vivitar. Build quality not the best but apparently the optics are pretty good.

**igowerf** · 05-23-2007, 11:49 PM

Thanks for the reply FotoPete.

I just got my Promaster today. The build quality actually isn't that bad. A few quick shots on my K100D seem ok, but I think I'll stick with my 18-55mm kit lens for digital. This Promaster is going on my ME Super.

FotoPete · 05-24-2007, 09:10 AM

Originally posted by igowerf

Thanks for the reply FotoPete.

I just got my Promaster today. The build quality actually isn't that bad. A few quick shots on my K100D seem ok, but I think I'll stick with my 18-55mm kit lens for digital. This Promaster is going on my ME Super.

yea 19mm is great for film. how does the lens compare to the 18-55?

**igowerf** · 05-24-2007, 10:29 AM

I did a quick shot of my apartment at 19mm f/3.5 and it turned out a bit soft. I'll probably do some better tests this weekend to compare the two lenses.

Distortion is pretty noticeable at 19mm, but it should be fine for nature landscapes. Autofocus didn't seem particularly slow or fast, but again, I'll be using this on my ME Super so it doesn't really matter.

05-18-2007, 08:16 PM	#1
igowerf Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 486	Promaster 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 (made by Tokina?) I've been looking for a wider lens to use with my Pentax ME Super and I found someone selling an auto-focus 19-35mm made by Promaster on the Milwaukee Craigslist site. I should be getting it sometime next week, but I wanted to ask if anyone here has had any experience with these generic 19-35mm lenses on film. The reviews that I read seemed generally positive, except for the build quality. These lenses seem to be rebadged Tokinas. After I bought it, I also realized that the AF version will have a looser focusing ring, which might be annoying to use with the ME Super. I might end up trading for an MF 19-35mm if I don't like how it feels. So anyone used this lens before on a film camera? What are your thoughts?

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05-22-2007, 07:35 PM	#2
igowerf Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 486 Original Poster	Really no one? What about the Vivitar Series 1 version?

05-22-2007, 08:41 PM	#3
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	Made by Cosina. All variants i think, including the Vivitar. Build quality not the best but apparently the optics are pretty good.

05-23-2007, 11:49 PM	#4
igowerf Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 486 Original Poster	Thanks for the reply FotoPete. I just got my Promaster today. The build quality actually isn't that bad. A few quick shots on my K100D seem ok, but I think I'll stick with my 18-55mm kit lens for digital. This Promaster is going on my ME Super.

05-24-2007, 09:10 AM	#5
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	Originally posted by igowerf Thanks for the reply FotoPete. I just got my Promaster today. The build quality actually isn't that bad. A few quick shots on my K100D seem ok, but I think I'll stick with my 18-55mm kit lens for digital. This Promaster is going on my ME Super. yea 19mm is great for film. how does the lens compare to the 18-55?

05-24-2007, 10:29 AM	#6
igowerf Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 486 Original Poster	I did a quick shot of my apartment at 19mm f/3.5 and it turned out a bit soft. I'll probably do some better tests this weekend to compare the two lenses. Distortion is pretty noticeable at 19mm, but it should be fine for nature landscapes. Autofocus didn't seem particularly slow or fast, but again, I'll be using this on my ME Super so it doesn't really matter.