Tokina AT-X 35-70mm f2.8 (manual focus lens)

photogerald · 03-15-2010, 08:45 PM

I wanted to share with you a couple of photos taken with the Tokina AT-X 35-70/2.8 (62mm filter thread with Pentax-A setting and Ricoh pin) since I don't think I've ever seen this lens discussed here or on other online forums.

This lens is from the manual focus era, so it's quite well built. It's a two-touch zoom, and the focus mechanism is very smooth and has a long throw. The "A" setting makes metering a breeze. Yes, this lens does have the Ricoh "P" pin, but it's of the round type and lightly loaded, and has not given any problems on my K20D. Anyways, I'll post some photos of the lens soon.

First I would like to say that this is a top-notch lens - sharpness, bokeh, and lack of CA all exceeded my expectations for this lens. I sometimes see the term "prime-like" used to describe the best zooms, and I would not hesitate to use that description here. I'm actually holding back my praise for this lens, as I would like to do some more shooting in difficult lighting conditions to be absolutely sure. But I am extremely pleased with what I see so far.

Anyways, here are the photos taken with my K20D.

f2.8

f3.5

The second shot is a bit overexposed (I'd forgotten that I had set an EV adj. on the camera), but I like the "dreamy" result.

Also, for those of you looking at the EXIF info, note that the focal length listed is not the actual focal length - it's just the focal length I had used to set the SR.

I will post back as I get to use this lens more.

mapov · 03-17-2010, 10:27 AM

Yes, it's a good lens.

Ist Ds 1600 isos

Ist Ds

photogerald · 03-17-2010, 07:53 PM

Thanks for sharing these shots, mapov. I especially liked the shot of the young woman playing the accordian.

mapov · 03-18-2010, 12:46 PM

Thank U Photogerald.
The second one is softer than the first and was sharpened.
The first one is jpeg OOC.
Both were shot just before the night.

This lens is not bad for live shows too.

*ist Ds/Tokina 35/70 2,8/Isos 1600

photogerald · 03-18-2010, 08:33 PM

Originally posted by mapov

Thank U Photogerald.
The second one is softer than the first and was sharpened.
The first one is jpeg OOC.
Both were shot just before the night.

This lens is not bad for live shows too.

It appears to have good resistance to flare. Thanks for sharing!

Miserere · 03-19-2010, 08:26 AM

I thought I had written a review for the database here, but I can't find it; am I going senile?

I owned this lens for some time, and really liked it. The focus ring is the best I've used on any lens, Pentax included. The lens does suffer from some purple fringing in high-contrast borders at wide apertures, but it wasn't anything terrible. It's also quite small, yet extremely solid feeling. I sold it when I bought the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. Here's a photo of my sample:

It's also a great safari lens

...

mapov · 03-20-2010, 08:52 PM

To complete the view...

photogerald · 03-24-2010, 10:00 PM

Thanks guys for posting these pics. Just wondering, what is that stylized lettering in red beside the word "Tokina"? Mine has it as well and I've never been able to figure out what it meant.

And to Miserere: how would you compare this lens to your Tamron 28-75/2.8? Are they similar in terms of IQ, or not?

Laurentiu Cristofor · 03-25-2010, 12:12 PM

I always thought that the red symbol is Tokina's logo. I've seen it on all their old lenses.

FWIW, this lens is similar in style to a 28-85 f/3.5-4.5 I've seen - except this one has the A setting - nice.

Miserere · 03-25-2010, 01:08 PM

Originally posted by photogerald

And to Miserere: how would you compare this lens to your Tamron 28-75/2.8? Are they similar in terms of IQ, or not?

I sold the Tokina quite a while ago, but I seem to remember they were equal as far as sharpness goes, but the Tamron has far less purple fringing (to the point it's not a concern) due to the digital coatings, and a useful extra 7mm at the wide end. And it's AF too

With the Tokina you give up convenience more than anything else. It's a great lens.

...

photogerald · 03-25-2010, 07:42 PM

Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor

I always thought that the red symbol is Tokina's logo. I've seen it on all their old lenses.

FWIW, this lens is similar in style to a 28-85 f/3.5-4.5 I've seen - except this one has the A setting - nice.

Ok, I can sort of see that - it's a pair of stylized T's.

BTW, 28-85 sounds like a nice range.

photogerald · 03-25-2010, 07:53 PM

Originally posted by Miserere

I sold the Tokina quite a while ago, but I seem to remember they were equal as far as sharpness goes, but the Tamron has far less purple fringing (to the point it's not a concern) due to the digital coatings, and a useful extra 7mm at the wide end. And it's AF too

With the Tokina you give up convenience more than anything else. It's a great lens.

Thanks, this is very useful as I've always wanted to get the Tamron (and I still intend to add one to my bag in the future), but in the meantime it looks like I can be content with the Tokina. But you are right about the features of the Tamron - I would really appreciate having AF.

I personally haven't noticed any PF issues with the Tokina, but then again I've only just started using it - some more shooting is in order.

Miserere · 03-26-2010, 09:46 AM

Originally posted by photogerald

Thanks, this is very useful as I've always wanted to get the Tamron (and I still intend to add one to my bag in the future), but in the meantime it looks like I can be content with the Tokina. But you are right about the features of the Tamron - I would really appreciate having AF.

The Tamron Also focuses a bit closer if I remember correctly.

Quote:

I personally haven't noticed any PF issues with the Tokina, but then again I've only just started using it - some more shooting is in order.

It's only an issue in high contrast situations, like tree branches against a grey sky. If you stay away from that type of scenes you won't have any problems.

cyberjunkie · 03-27-2010, 04:14 PM

I was looking for a fast "normal" zoom when i found exactly this Tokina for sale.

The vendor says that the Ricoh pin of the lens is safe, with AF digital bodies, as far as you remind yourself to put the iris ring in "A" position before mounting/removing the lens.

I didn't notice it first hand, but from the pictures i see that the ricoh pin looks like a ball-head one. From the infos i got online, i understand that even if the lens gets stuck, operating the MF-AF switch while turning the lens would allow to solve the problem.

Are the two assumptions true?
Any other relevant info?

thanks

CJ

Laurentiu Cristofor · 03-27-2010, 05:06 PM

I think the safest way to deal with the Ricoh pin is to unscrew the mount and take the pin out. Spend a few minutes doing this and then you don't have to worry about the pin.

03-15-2010, 08:45 PM	#1
photogerald Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 253	Tokina AT-X 35-70mm f2.8 (manual focus lens) I wanted to share with you a couple of photos taken with the Tokina AT-X 35-70/2.8 (62mm filter thread with Pentax-A setting and Ricoh pin) since I don't think I've ever seen this lens discussed here or on other online forums. This lens is from the manual focus era, so it's quite well built. It's a two-touch zoom, and the focus mechanism is very smooth and has a long throw. The "A" setting makes metering a breeze. Yes, this lens does have the Ricoh "P" pin, but it's of the round type and lightly loaded, and has not given any problems on my K20D. Anyways, I'll post some photos of the lens soon. First I would like to say that this is a top-notch lens - sharpness, bokeh, and lack of CA all exceeded my expectations for this lens. I sometimes see the term "prime-like" used to describe the best zooms, and I would not hesitate to use that description here. I'm actually holding back my praise for this lens, as I would like to do some more shooting in difficult lighting conditions to be absolutely sure. But I am extremely pleased with what I see so far. Anyways, here are the photos taken with my K20D. f2.8 f3.5 The second shot is a bit overexposed (I'd forgotten that I had set an EV adj. on the camera), but I like the "dreamy" result. Also, for those of you looking at the EXIF info, note that the focal length listed is not the actual focal length - it's just the focal length I had used to set the SR. I will post back as I get to use this lens more.

03-27-2010, 04:14 PM	#14
cyberjunkie Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Chiang Mai, Bologna, Amsterdam Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,198	Ricoh pin of this lens, a problem or not? I was looking for a fast "normal" zoom when i found exactly this Tokina for sale. The vendor says that the Ricoh pin of the lens is safe, with AF digital bodies, as far as you remind yourself to put the iris ring in "A" position before mounting/removing the lens. I didn't notice it first hand, but from the pictures i see that the ricoh pin looks like a ball-head one. From the infos i got online, i understand that even if the lens gets stuck, operating the MF-AF switch while turning the lens would allow to solve the problem. Are the two assumptions true? Any other relevant info? thanks CJ

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Tokina 400mm f5.6 RMC manual focus lens	Blue	Sold Items	7	06-17-2010 09:28 PM
For Sale - Sold: Tokina AT-X 300mm f2.8 KA mount Manual Focus Lens	gscara	Sold Items	9	05-22-2009 09:18 AM
For Sale - Sold: Tokina AT-X 80-200mm F2.8 (manual focus)	Gooshin	Sold Items	35	03-05-2009 10:08 PM
FYI - Tokina 80-200/f2.8 manual focus	kjao	General Talk	2	10-19-2007 08:07 AM
Tokina 80-200/f2.8 manual focus lens	kjao	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	10-05-2007 04:51 PM

03-17-2010, 10:27 AM	#2
mapov Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: France Posts: 21	Yes, it's a good lens. Ist Ds 1600 isos Ist Ds

03-17-2010, 07:53 PM	#3
photogerald Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 253 Original Poster	Thanks for sharing these shots, mapov. I especially liked the shot of the young woman playing the accordian.

03-18-2010, 12:46 PM	#4
mapov Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: France Posts: 21	Thank U Photogerald. The second one is softer than the first and was sharpened. The first one is jpeg OOC. Both were shot just before the night. This lens is not bad for live shows too. *ist Ds/Tokina 35/70 2,8/Isos 1600

03-18-2010, 08:33 PM	#5
photogerald Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 253 Original Poster	Originally posted by mapov Thank U Photogerald. The second one is softer than the first and was sharpened. The first one is jpeg OOC. Both were shot just before the night. This lens is not bad for live shows too. It appears to have good resistance to flare. Thanks for sharing!

03-19-2010, 08:26 AM	#6
Miserere Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,993	I thought I had written a review for the database here, but I can't find it; am I going senile? I owned this lens for some time, and really liked it. The focus ring is the best I've used on any lens, Pentax included. The lens does suffer from some purple fringing in high-contrast borders at wide apertures, but it wasn't anything terrible. It's also quite small, yet extremely solid feeling. I sold it when I bought the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. Here's a photo of my sample: It's also a great safari lens ...

03-20-2010, 08:52 PM	#7
mapov Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: France Posts: 21	To complete the view...

03-24-2010, 10:00 PM	#8
photogerald Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 253 Original Poster	Thanks guys for posting these pics. Just wondering, what is that stylized lettering in red beside the word "Tokina"? Mine has it as well and I've never been able to figure out what it meant. And to Miserere: how would you compare this lens to your Tamron 28-75/2.8? Are they similar in terms of IQ, or not?

03-25-2010, 12:12 PM	#9
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	I always thought that the red symbol is Tokina's logo. I've seen it on all their old lenses. FWIW, this lens is similar in style to a 28-85 f/3.5-4.5 I've seen - except this one has the A setting - nice.

03-25-2010, 01:08 PM	#10
Miserere Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,993	Originally posted by photogerald And to Miserere: how would you compare this lens to your Tamron 28-75/2.8? Are they similar in terms of IQ, or not? I sold the Tokina quite a while ago, but I seem to remember they were equal as far as sharpness goes, but the Tamron has far less purple fringing (to the point it's not a concern) due to the digital coatings, and a useful extra 7mm at the wide end. And it's AF too With the Tokina you give up convenience more than anything else. It's a great lens. ...

03-25-2010, 07:42 PM	#11
photogerald Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 253 Original Poster	Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor I always thought that the red symbol is Tokina's logo. I've seen it on all their old lenses. FWIW, this lens is similar in style to a 28-85 f/3.5-4.5 I've seen - except this one has the A setting - nice. Ok, I can sort of see that - it's a pair of stylized T's. BTW, 28-85 sounds like a nice range.

03-25-2010, 07:53 PM	#12
photogerald Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 253 Original Poster	Originally posted by Miserere I sold the Tokina quite a while ago, but I seem to remember they were equal as far as sharpness goes, but the Tamron has far less purple fringing (to the point it's not a concern) due to the digital coatings, and a useful extra 7mm at the wide end. And it's AF too With the Tokina you give up convenience more than anything else. It's a great lens. Thanks, this is very useful as I've always wanted to get the Tamron (and I still intend to add one to my bag in the future), but in the meantime it looks like I can be content with the Tokina. But you are right about the features of the Tamron - I would really appreciate having AF. I personally haven't noticed any PF issues with the Tokina, but then again I've only just started using it - some more shooting is in order.

03-26-2010, 09:46 AM	#13
Miserere Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,993	Originally posted by photogerald Thanks, this is very useful as I've always wanted to get the Tamron (and I still intend to add one to my bag in the future), but in the meantime it looks like I can be content with the Tokina. But you are right about the features of the Tamron - I would really appreciate having AF. The Tamron Also focuses a bit closer if I remember correctly. Quote: I personally haven't noticed any PF issues with the Tokina, but then again I've only just started using it - some more shooting is in order. It's only an issue in high contrast situations, like tree branches against a grey sky. If you stay away from that type of scenes you won't have any problems.

03-27-2010, 05:06 PM	#15
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	I think the safest way to deal with the Ricoh pin is to unscrew the mount and take the pin out. Spend a few minutes doing this and then you don't have to worry about the pin.