Tamrom SP 300mm f/2.8 (60B) or Tokina 300mm f/2.8 STX2

tunarudi · 05-01-2010, 08:56 AM

Hi everybody!
Trying to get a fast glass and wondering about these two lenses.
I will go for the Pentax 300mm f2.8 but I can't afford to put an order and pay the huge price. Any advice?
Thanks in advance
Regards
Xavier

PePe · 05-01-2010, 10:44 AM

Fast glass is never cheap, but may well turn out to be invaluable in difficult conditions.
One big question is whether you need AF? Tamron 300/2,8 60B is a manual focus lens, and I assume the Tokina to be the same. I used to shoot with one of those Tamrons for many years. Great value for the money!
Please have a look into the lens review section of the forum for further details.
If you require AF in this category, Sigma 300/2,8 and Pentax 300/2,8 are the only options. The Pentax is very,very difficult to find. Used lenses sometimes show up on the marketplace here, or on Ebay. But not that often really.

Blue · 05-01-2010, 02:46 PM

PePe: Tokina used to make an AF 300mm f2.8 lens but I don't think it had a k mount version.

Tokina

snostorm · 05-01-2010, 07:46 PM

Originally posted by Blue

PePe: Tokina used to make an AF 300mm f2.8 lens but I don't think it had a k mount version.

Tokina

Hi Blue,

I believe that Both Tamron and Tokina made a small run of their AF 300/2.8s in K mount. They are both very rare, and likely sitting in the display cases of collectors, so are unlikely to be found on the market for sale, and if they were to be, they'd likely not be worth the asking price. I've seen pics of the Tamron, posted in another forum by the owner, but IIRC, the Tokina was attested to by a former owner, and there was no supporting evidence, but I believed him.

It really doesn't matter practically. While I was carefully watching the market for an AF 300/2.8 (at a bargain price

) for over 2 years, I never saw either offered for sale at any price.

Scott

snostorm · 05-01-2010, 08:45 PM

Originally posted by tunarudi

Hi everybody!
Trying to get a fast glass and wondering about these two lenses.
I will go for the Pentax 300mm f2.8 but I can't afford to put an order and pay the huge price. Any advice?

Hi Xavier,

The Tamron is a very competent lens. The only optical fault is that it exhibits some CA/PF in high contrast areas at wider apertures. It's sharp enough to stand up to TC use, and the usually supplied SP 140F 1.4x TC for the Adaptall2 series works very well with it. I've also gotten very good results with the Pentax F 1.7x Auto Focusing Adapter with it -- and with these two TCs stacked. After trying the AFA, I pretty much never took it off the lens, so I had an Auto Focusing 510mm f4.8 and an AF 714mm f6.7, both at the size and weight of a relatively light 300/2.8 and under $1000 USD for my copies.

The AFA is probably the only area where Pentax actually enjoys an advantage for long glass fans over the competition.

Here's an admittedly lucky shot taken with a DS, the Tamron and stacked TCs. This was handheld with the lens at @ f4

and a 100% crop near the center of the frame, no PP, or resizing

IMO, this is easily the best bang for the buck. You do have to get a PK/A adapter for the lens, and they've gotten to be a bit hard to find and relatively expensive, but the lens can be gotten with any mount, and converted to Pentax with the adapter. They are pretty commonly found in Nikon and Canon mounts, an you can get a "user" grade lens with clean glass for as little as $400 USD.

The older Sigma EX 300/2.8 APO (pre-DG model) could be another choice if your budget can bear $1500-2200. It not too far off the FA*300/2.8's performance at about $1000 less. The most significant differences are AF, it's maybe a touch sharper, and it controls CA/PF better wide open. You have to pay a substantial amount more to gain a little IQ in this class of lens.

Here's an example from the Sigma with the K20 + 1.7x AFA (510mm) The lens was wide open at @ 15 feet, slightly cropped and sharpened only enough to overcome the softening from resizing.

I rarely shoot either without at least the AFA. For me, it's perfect for my purposes, offering a built-in focus limiter, increased AF speed on any body, and very competent 1.7x magnification. I even use one with my FA*300/4.5. It's a bit slow at f7.7, but the AF works in just about any but the darkest daylight conditions, and it gives me at least Bigma performance in a lens that's about 2 lbs and a lot smaller.

I also have an FA* 300/2.8, but you've already mentioned it's a bit outside your price range. It's a better lens -- not a ton better, but it's easily best in class in the K mount, but will add at least another $1000 to the entry price.

Scott

Jewelltrail · 05-01-2010, 09:19 PM

Nice shots Snostorm!

There is some good information here on the Tamron 300 2.8 MF

Manual Focus Forum / tamron 300mm 2.8 60b

PePe · 05-02-2010, 01:22 AM

Originally posted by snostorm

Hi Blue,

I believe that Both Tamron and Tokina made a small run of their AF 300/2.8s in K mount. They are both very rare, and likely sitting in the display cases of collectors, so are unlikely to be found on the market for sale, and if they were to be, they'd likely not be worth the asking price. I've seen pics of the Tamron, posted in another forum by the owner, but IIRC, the Tokina was attested to by a former owner, and there was no supporting evidence, but I believed him.

It really doesn't matter practically. While I was carefully watching the market for an AF 300/2.8 (at a bargain price

) for over 2 years, I never saw either offered for sale at any price.

Scott

Over the years there have been many different Tamron 300/2,8´s.
Their model 60B (as specified by Tunarudi) was always manual focus only.
It is true that there was a later AF model, but it was the 360E.

borno · 05-02-2010, 03:44 AM

I don't know about the tokina, but had the 360b tamron and it was a very nice lens.No doubt best on film or full frame. I used it for birds a mostly with the pentax 1.7x afa and had a good bit of PF unless stopped down a good bit. Less PF with the adaptall TC's but no AF. I sold it after I got the DA300 as it was much easier to use and was good wide open with the 1.7x even so why carry the extra weight. Here is one with the tamron and 1.7x, I think the lens was probably at f6.3 (f11 w/ tc)

tunarudi · 05-02-2010, 08:08 AM

Thanks to all for the comments! Finally I took the plunge and I bought it. I have to wait for it to arrive. As soon as I get it I will post pictures.
Can't wait
Regards
Xavier

05-01-2010, 08:56 AM	#1
tunarudi Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tarragona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 53	Tamrom SP 300mm f/2.8 (60B) or Tokina 300mm f/2.8 STX2 Hi everybody! Trying to get a fast glass and wondering about these two lenses. I will go for the Pentax 300mm f2.8 but I can't afford to put an order and pay the huge price. Any advice? Thanks in advance Regards Xavier

05-02-2010, 08:08 AM	#9
tunarudi Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tarragona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 53 Original Poster	Tamron 300mm f/2.8 Thanks to all for the comments! Finally I took the plunge and I bought it. I have to wait for it to arrive. As soon as I get it I will post pictures. Can't wait Regards Xavier

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05-01-2010, 10:44 AM	#2
PePe Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Helsinki, Finland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 587	Fast glass is never cheap, but may well turn out to be invaluable in difficult conditions. One big question is whether you need AF? Tamron 300/2,8 60B is a manual focus lens, and I assume the Tokina to be the same. I used to shoot with one of those Tamrons for many years. Great value for the money! Please have a look into the lens review section of the forum for further details. If you require AF in this category, Sigma 300/2,8 and Pentax 300/2,8 are the only options. The Pentax is very,very difficult to find. Used lenses sometimes show up on the marketplace here, or on Ebay. But not that often really.

05-01-2010, 02:46 PM	#3
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	PePe: Tokina used to make an AF 300mm f2.8 lens but I don't think it had a k mount version. Tokina

05-01-2010, 07:46 PM	#4
snostorm Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago suburb, IL, USA Posts: 1,535	Originally posted by Blue PePe: Tokina used to make an AF 300mm f2.8 lens but I don't think it had a k mount version. Tokina Hi Blue, I believe that Both Tamron and Tokina made a small run of their AF 300/2.8s in K mount. They are both very rare, and likely sitting in the display cases of collectors, so are unlikely to be found on the market for sale, and if they were to be, they'd likely not be worth the asking price. I've seen pics of the Tamron, posted in another forum by the owner, but IIRC, the Tokina was attested to by a former owner, and there was no supporting evidence, but I believed him. It really doesn't matter practically. While I was carefully watching the market for an AF 300/2.8 (at a bargain price ) for over 2 years, I never saw either offered for sale at any price. Scott

05-01-2010, 08:45 PM	#5
snostorm Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago suburb, IL, USA Posts: 1,535	Originally posted by tunarudi Hi everybody! Trying to get a fast glass and wondering about these two lenses. I will go for the Pentax 300mm f2.8 but I can't afford to put an order and pay the huge price. Any advice? Hi Xavier, The Tamron is a very competent lens. The only optical fault is that it exhibits some CA/PF in high contrast areas at wider apertures. It's sharp enough to stand up to TC use, and the usually supplied SP 140F 1.4x TC for the Adaptall2 series works very well with it. I've also gotten very good results with the Pentax F 1.7x Auto Focusing Adapter with it -- and with these two TCs stacked. After trying the AFA, I pretty much never took it off the lens, so I had an Auto Focusing 510mm f4.8 and an AF 714mm f6.7, both at the size and weight of a relatively light 300/2.8 and under $1000 USD for my copies. The AFA is probably the only area where Pentax actually enjoys an advantage for long glass fans over the competition. Here's an admittedly lucky shot taken with a DS, the Tamron and stacked TCs. This was handheld with the lens at @ f4 and a 100% crop near the center of the frame, no PP, or resizing IMO, this is easily the best bang for the buck. You do have to get a PK/A adapter for the lens, and they've gotten to be a bit hard to find and relatively expensive, but the lens can be gotten with any mount, and converted to Pentax with the adapter. They are pretty commonly found in Nikon and Canon mounts, an you can get a "user" grade lens with clean glass for as little as $400 USD. The older Sigma EX 300/2.8 APO (pre-DG model) could be another choice if your budget can bear $1500-2200. It not too far off the FA300/2.8's performance at about $1000 less. The most significant differences are AF, it's maybe a touch sharper, and it controls CA/PF better wide open. You have to pay a substantial amount more to gain a little IQ in this class of lens. Here's an example from the Sigma with the K20 + 1.7x AFA (510mm) The lens was wide open at @ 15 feet, slightly cropped and sharpened only enough to overcome the softening from resizing. I rarely shoot either without at least the AFA. For me, it's perfect for my purposes, offering a built-in focus limiter, increased AF speed on any body, and very competent 1.7x magnification. I even use one with my FA300/4.5. It's a bit slow at f7.7, but the AF works in just about any but the darkest daylight conditions, and it gives me at least Bigma performance in a lens that's about 2 lbs and a lot smaller. I also have an FA* 300/2.8, but you've already mentioned it's a bit outside your price range. It's a better lens -- not a ton better, but it's easily best in class in the K mount, but will add at least another $1000 to the entry price. Scott

05-01-2010, 09:19 PM	#6
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Nice shots Snostorm! There is some good information here on the Tamron 300 2.8 MF Manual Focus Forum / tamron 300mm 2.8 60b

05-02-2010, 01:22 AM	#7
PePe Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Helsinki, Finland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 587	Originally posted by snostorm Hi Blue, I believe that Both Tamron and Tokina made a small run of their AF 300/2.8s in K mount. They are both very rare, and likely sitting in the display cases of collectors, so are unlikely to be found on the market for sale, and if they were to be, they'd likely not be worth the asking price. I've seen pics of the Tamron, posted in another forum by the owner, but IIRC, the Tokina was attested to by a former owner, and there was no supporting evidence, but I believed him. It really doesn't matter practically. While I was carefully watching the market for an AF 300/2.8 (at a bargain price ) for over 2 years, I never saw either offered for sale at any price. Scott Over the years there have been many different Tamron 300/2,8´s. Their model 60B (as specified by Tunarudi) was always manual focus only. It is true that there was a later AF model, but it was the 360E.

05-02-2010, 03:44 AM	#8
borno Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: md-usa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,580	I don't know about the tokina, but had the 360b tamron and it was a very nice lens.No doubt best on film or full frame. I used it for birds a mostly with the pentax 1.7x afa and had a good bit of PF unless stopped down a good bit. Less PF with the adaptall TC's but no AF. I sold it after I got the DA300 as it was much easier to use and was good wide open with the 1.7x even so why carry the extra weight. Here is one with the tamron and 1.7x, I think the lens was probably at f6.3 (f11 w/ tc)

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