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Noisychip · 02-03-2010, 03:14 PM

I recently saw this lens locally, but I can't seem to find much information about it.

I you happen to own this lens, I'd really like to know how it performs and how much it is worth.

There seem to be different variants like AF or not, SD or non-SD and so on. Some seem to have a rotating front element when focusing.

This one is the AT-X version with an SD element and AF and seems to have a built-in hood.
EDIT: Complete name is "Tokina AT-X AF 5,6/400 CLOSE FOCUS"

There are some pictures of it when a copy was in the marketplace:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/sold-items/80415-sale-%5Bsold%5D-tokina-x...00mm-lens.html

Any comments appreciated!

Last edited by Noisychip; 02-04-2010 at 01:53 PM.

thazooo · 02-03-2010, 03:30 PM

I've got the atx af. Great Lens, Sharp, Good Contrast, a bit cool in color reproduction.
AF is fairly quick and accurate on K10d and K20d. Some PF at 5.6 clears when stopped down.
They're hard to find and are pricey, $450usd to $600 usd.

Noisychip · 02-03-2010, 03:36 PM

Originally posted by thazooo

I've got the atx af. Great Lens, Sharp, Good Contrast, a bit cool in color reproduction.
AF is fairly quick and accurate on K10d and K20d. Some PF at 5.6 clears when stopped down.
They're hard to find and are pricey, $450usd to $600 usd.

Interesting information. I wonder if the one I linked above is different optically. I've found very mixed opinions and am quite unsure which version is best.

**Just1MoreDave** · 02-03-2010, 05:08 PM

This might only help in identifying versions. I have a manual focus, KA mount lens labeled SD but not ATX, with a 72mm filter and a hood. It's internal focus, minimum distance 4 meters. It's the only 400mm lens I've ever had or am likely to own. I think it's pretty good. I do get some PF at f5.6, so I generally use f8 or smaller. It has a sliding hood and a tripod mount. Focus is nice. The tripod mount tends to loosen itself.

thazooo · 02-03-2010, 07:02 PM

Originally posted by Noisychip

Interesting information. I wonder if the one I linked above is different optically. I've found very mixed opinions and am quite unsure which version is best.

I've had both of them. Sold the Manual Focus to a forum member here. I like the ATX AF much better. The one you linked to is the ATX version.
If you go to Pbase and do a lens search you can probably find examples of both types.

**dadipentak** · 02-03-2010, 07:23 PM

I had one and posted a review here. It was a nice lens--built like a tank and quite compact. Resolution was good but not great.

Noisychip · 02-04-2010, 01:45 PM

Originally posted by thazooo

I've had both of them. Sold the Manual Focus to a forum member here. I like the ATX AF much better. The one you linked to is the ATX version.
If you go to Pbase and do a lens search you can probably find examples of both types.

So yours is the same as the one on the photo (MP)? And it's good?

Noisychip · 02-04-2010, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by dadipentak

I had one and posted a review here. It was a nice lens--built like a tank and quite compact. Resolution was good but not great.

Thanks, I have read your review (the only one on this lens, sadly) in advance. I just wasn't sure whether it's the same lens, as "SD" wasn't mentioned.

Nobody have the SD version?
EDIT: Complete name is "Tokina AT-X AF 5,6/400 CLOSE FOCUS" with "SD" on the barrel.

thazooo · 02-04-2010, 03:19 PM

Originally posted by Noisychip

So yours is the same as the one on the photo (MP)? And it's good?

Identical. And yes it's the SD on the barrel.

Noisychip · 02-04-2010, 03:57 PM

Originally posted by thazooo

Identical. And yes it's the SD on the barrel.

That's good news

As far as I can see, a price around 400-500 USD/EUR seems acceptable.

You have some great images in your pbase gallery! A hummingbird shot with a manual 300mm lens - awesome

thazooo · 02-04-2010, 04:24 PM

Originally posted by Noisychip

That's good news

As far as I can see, a price around 400-500 USD/EUR seems acceptable.

You have some great images in your pbase gallery! A hummingbird shot with a manual 300mm lens - awesome

If you get a chance try the lens on your camera.
Thanks for the comments on my gallery.

Noisychip · 02-04-2010, 04:28 PM

thazooo, does the filter thread/front element on your copy rotate when focusing?

**dadipentak** · 02-04-2010, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by Noisychip

Thanks, I have read your review (the only one on this lens, sadly) in advance. I just wasn't sure whether it's the same lens, as "SD" wasn't mentioned.

Nobody have the SD version?
EDIT: Complete name is "Tokina AT-X AF 5,6/400 CLOSE FOCUS" with "SD" on the barrel.

Yep that's what I had. I should add that I've just seen a shot taken with that lens (with the AF 1.7x TC) by the guy I sold it to. I'll just say that a good photographer can get very good results with that lens. ;~)

thazooo · 02-04-2010, 08:11 PM

Originally posted by Noisychip

thazooo, does the filter thread/front element on your copy rotate when focusing?

No, it's internal focus. No rotation and the length of the lens stays the same

Noisychip · 02-05-2010, 05:52 PM

Thanks a lot guys for the information. Seems to be a lens worth buying. I might pick it up if it is still available at the store.

02-03-2010, 03:14 PM	#1
Noisychip Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 282	Tokina AT-X AF 5,6/400mm SD Owners Opinions? I recently saw this lens locally, but I can't seem to find much information about it. I you happen to own this lens, I'd really like to know how it performs and how much it is worth. There seem to be different variants like AF or not, SD or non-SD and so on. Some seem to have a rotating front element when focusing. This one is the AT-X version with an SD element and AF and seems to have a built-in hood. EDIT: Complete name is "Tokina AT-X AF 5,6/400 CLOSE FOCUS" There are some pictures of it when a copy was in the marketplace: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/sold-items/80415-sale-%5Bsold%5D-tokina-x...00mm-lens.html Any comments appreciated! Last edited by Noisychip; 02-04-2010 at 01:53 PM.

02-04-2010, 01:48 PM	#8
Noisychip Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 282 Original Poster	Originally posted by dadipentak I had one and posted a review here. It was a nice lens--built like a tank and quite compact. Resolution was good but not great. Thanks, I have read your review (the only one on this lens, sadly) in advance. I just wasn't sure whether it's the same lens, as "SD" wasn't mentioned. Nobody have the SD version? EDIT: Complete name is "Tokina AT-X AF 5,6/400 CLOSE FOCUS" with "SD" on the barrel. Last edited by Noisychip; 02-04-2010 at 01:54 PM.

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02-03-2010, 03:30 PM	#2
thazooo Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 854	I've got the atx af. Great Lens, Sharp, Good Contrast, a bit cool in color reproduction. AF is fairly quick and accurate on K10d and K20d. Some PF at 5.6 clears when stopped down. They're hard to find and are pricey, $450usd to $600 usd.

02-03-2010, 03:36 PM	#3
Noisychip Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 282 Original Poster	Originally posted by thazooo I've got the atx af. Great Lens, Sharp, Good Contrast, a bit cool in color reproduction. AF is fairly quick and accurate on K10d and K20d. Some PF at 5.6 clears when stopped down. They're hard to find and are pricey, $450usd to $600 usd. Interesting information. I wonder if the one I linked above is different optically. I've found very mixed opinions and am quite unsure which version is best.

02-03-2010, 05:08 PM	#4
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	This might only help in identifying versions. I have a manual focus, KA mount lens labeled SD but not ATX, with a 72mm filter and a hood. It's internal focus, minimum distance 4 meters. It's the only 400mm lens I've ever had or am likely to own. I think it's pretty good. I do get some PF at f5.6, so I generally use f8 or smaller. It has a sliding hood and a tripod mount. Focus is nice. The tripod mount tends to loosen itself.

02-03-2010, 07:02 PM	#5
thazooo Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 854	Originally posted by Noisychip Interesting information. I wonder if the one I linked above is different optically. I've found very mixed opinions and am quite unsure which version is best. I've had both of them. Sold the Manual Focus to a forum member here. I like the ATX AF much better. The one you linked to is the ATX version. If you go to Pbase and do a lens search you can probably find examples of both types.

02-03-2010, 07:23 PM	#6
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	I had one and posted a review here. It was a nice lens--built like a tank and quite compact. Resolution was good but not great.

02-04-2010, 01:45 PM	#7
Noisychip Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 282 Original Poster	Originally posted by thazooo I've had both of them. Sold the Manual Focus to a forum member here. I like the ATX AF much better. The one you linked to is the ATX version. If you go to Pbase and do a lens search you can probably find examples of both types. So yours is the same as the one on the photo (MP)? And it's good?

02-04-2010, 03:19 PM	#9
thazooo Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 854	Originally posted by Noisychip So yours is the same as the one on the photo (MP)? And it's good? Identical. And yes it's the SD on the barrel.

02-04-2010, 03:57 PM	#10
Noisychip Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 282 Original Poster	Originally posted by thazooo Identical. And yes it's the SD on the barrel. That's good news As far as I can see, a price around 400-500 USD/EUR seems acceptable. You have some great images in your pbase gallery! A hummingbird shot with a manual 300mm lens - awesome

02-04-2010, 04:24 PM	#11
thazooo Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 854	Originally posted by Noisychip That's good news As far as I can see, a price around 400-500 USD/EUR seems acceptable. You have some great images in your pbase gallery! A hummingbird shot with a manual 300mm lens - awesome If you get a chance try the lens on your camera. Thanks for the comments on my gallery.

02-04-2010, 04:28 PM	#12
Noisychip Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 282 Original Poster	thazooo, does the filter thread/front element on your copy rotate when focusing?

02-04-2010, 08:11 PM	#14
thazooo Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 854	Originally posted by Noisychip thazooo, does the filter thread/front element on your copy rotate when focusing? No, it's internal focus. No rotation and the length of the lens stays the same

02-05-2010, 05:52 PM	#15
Noisychip Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 282 Original Poster	Thanks a lot guys for the information. Seems to be a lens worth buying. I might pick it up if it is still available at the store.

Tokina AT-X AF 5,6/400mm SD Owners Opinions?

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!