| Author: | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: December, 2022 Posts: 8 | | Review Date: December 14, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $65.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Cheap, build quality, sharp | | Cons: | Noisy AF, no weather sealing | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-3
Focusing: 7
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Bought this lens used in good condition as an eventual wide/utra-wide option for full frame. Initial testing on a K-3 is very encouraging.
Wide open, images are a bit soft, with the classic Tokina "glow" to them. Stopped down to f5.6-8 and above, centre sharpness is excellent, with surprisingly good corners. Images never become razor sharp (converting from RAW), but they handle a little unsharp mask really well.
Colours and saturation are both better than most older lenses (the pics are all OOC colours), though flare and cyan/magenta abberations can be an issue in high contrast areas. Distortion is moderate for a lens of this type, but easily corrected with something like RawTherapee.
Build quality makes current kit lenses feel like toys, with lots of metal and very smooth, damped zoom and focus rings. AF speed is quite quick (screw drive), but can be indecisive. Sometimes you can half-press the shutter several times in a row, and get different focus confirmations. Not unexpected for an old lens.
Optically, this beats (my) 18-55 3.5-5.6 WR lens quite handily, with better centre sharpness and significantly better image quality towards the edge of the frame. I intend to use it mainly for landscape work, so it will be used at f8-f16 most of the time.
The pics are converted from RAW, downscaled and lightly sharpened. A 24MP APS-C sensor is very demanding, and this lens captures a surprising amount of detail.
If you can find a clean copy for a good price, it is probably the best bang-for-buck wide zoom there is for Pentax. Highly recommended!
 
 
  | | | | | | | Junior Member Registered: December, 2014 Posts: 52 | | Review Date: June 16, 2021 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharp and nice colors | | Cons: | Flare and distortion | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 8
Value: 8
Camera Used: K200D, K5iis, MZ-3, K1000
Focusing: 8
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Bought this lens used but in mint condition from Ebay. It came with lenshood, original caps and blue pouch. As soon as I tested the lens, I immediately replaced the 18-55mm kit lens. Sharpness is really night and day by comparison although you miss the weather sealing. I am willing to take its weight over the compactness of the kit lens.
Two things you have to remember though, first is to make the camera lens axis as close to dead horizontal or vertical as possible to minimize distortion. Second, sometimes you need to extend the lenshood either with your hand or a card board as the lenshood is not enough to combat flare.
Also, K5iis will read the widest at 20mm not 19mm.
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2018 Posts: 14 | | Review Date: October 15, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | relatively light, sharp, relatively cheap | | Cons: | coulb be smaller and brighter | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 5
Handling: 8
Value: 8
Camera Used: a6000, K1000, Pentax ME super
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bought this lens while searching for an affordable ultra wide for my crop Sony A6000. My Tokina copy has a very rare Pentax K mount. For the a6000 this is not an issue because there are adapters for all manufacturers for Sony e mount.
I was looking for an cheap alternative for the a6000 kit lens and tried many lenses, but to this day the small kit lens ( for modern, digital porposes) is still is the best.
Good, sharp vintage ultra wide angle lenses or primes are VERY rare, if there are any. Zeiss Flektogon 20mm, Takumar 17 or 20mm, Nikon 20mm, Minolta 17mm..
you name it, but they are pricey, and STILL not as good as the sharp, stabilized AF a6000 kit lens..ok, no wonder because all these were not calculated for a 24MP mirrorless digital cam. And it is a 1,5 crop camera, so even if you use a 17mm it becomes a 35mm.
This year I started shooting on film again on a Pentax K1000 and lately the ME super. I got the K1000 at a fleamarket for 12 Euros just because I was curious how REAL FULL FRAME 19 to 35mm look on film. It makes such a great difference.
I develop my B/W films at home, easy job, great fun and you learn a lot about real photography..every time you come home with a shot roll you wonder how it all came out..
I used Tokina in the 90ies and now again, they are affordable sharp lenses. One of my favorites is the fully manual AT-X 60-120mm f2.8.
The RMC 24mm is also very nice. The Tokina AF 193 is similar to other Tokinas I used and use, it is very sharp from f5,6 and does not get much sharper above f8.
CA's are and have always been a typical Tokina ' feature', but I correct them in LR or PS. AF would be nice, but MF is ok. Tokinas often flare.
I wish the focusing screen was a bit brighter, like compared to a M 50mm f1.7 prime. 19 to 35mm is very usable on film.
One of the few ultra wide FF lenses with an aperture ring.
..and, DON'T confuse the Tokina AF 193 with the somehow similar looking but much worse Voigtländer, Soligor or Cosina branded ones with the same focal lenght of 19-35mm..these are the real cheapos.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2013 Location: Essen / North Rhine-Westphalia Posts: 8 | | Review Date: September 21, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $70.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Cheap, Internal Zoom, quick AF, built quality, color rendition | | Cons: | Flare-Machine(!!), wide open a bit softy, barrel distorsion | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K20D, K200D
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I bought my Copy used from ebay.
Built quality is still good and the internal zoom is very useful. But it is just a semi-internal Focus.
The overall lenght does not change while focussing and the Filter Ring does not rotate. But the front Element rotates within the Filter Ring...tricky construction
But this tricky construction makes it possible to use a Polarisation-Filter on it.
Color rendition is very nice but the contrast lacks when used without a hood.
Unfortunately my copy came without a Hood, so that i must look for a suitable one.
In my opinion, the AF is fast enought.
But the Lens is very soft wide open, stopped down it's quite sharp.
It produces flares....and without Lens hood it does much of them! Name it a Flare-Machine and you will right!
It also produces awfully barrel distortions @ 19mm.
Some People may call it a light fisheye-effect^^ >> don't wonder why
The Lens is built from Metall and Plastic with rubbered zoom and focus Rings.
Good haptics overall. I love it!
Overall it's a nice walk-around Lense with some weaken on it.
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2009 Posts: 621 | | Review Date: April 13, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $138.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | weight | | Cons: | size | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 8
Value: 8
Camera Used: k-7
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the copy which i have is still soft, the reason why i brought though i had promaster spectrum 7 19-35 f3.4-4.5 was that all thinsg being equal, this copy would have a better micro contrast, that it has.
My reading of the lens may be biased as it feels that a lot of rejects not previously sold are not marked and disassembled, but being launched in the marked by japanese sellers (i brought this from MK Japan), i opened the rear, found the aperture misaligned thus F- was locking randomly), excessive glue creating misalignment , am yet to work on the helicoid as 19mm is not 19 but 20, i ought to have returned but ran into wall of Indian post office- Indian bureaucracy which said that we dont ship lens Internationally (albeit against the Berne convention) -thats India, FEDEX/DHL is over USD 50, total loss.
In sum Promaster to me is much sharper IQ is better save the color rendetion.
I think enough of Tokinas, unless i buy from authorised dealer with warranty in INDIA.
well since i found it economically unviable to do a return, i spent time trying to fix the same.
removed a washer (yes a washer) from the rear group of lens elements, refixed the infinity setting from the front and have reached this level see pic. sum n substance its defective lens/ and a bad attempt to fix. a lot comming from japan.
P.S. The issue then is the convenience of shopping online has to be based on the cost and inconvenience. for a relatively small to medium ticket item say here, the costs involve the cost of the product, shipping charges, then one pays custom duties, one factors all these . whwn one purchases its legally binding for the seller to ship products as described, misdescribed products(namely useable with limted function as AF lens useable as MF lens, front glass scratched image is impacted only on bright direct sunlight) the seller carries civil liability for damages. but the probability that one would bother to return as the cost of return may be half of what is spent to buy is the game plan these sellers are playing with, do factor this possibility as this is MK JAPAN's gameplan, or say a limited lens described as few scratches on the front and rear elemants thus discounted 15% . I have opened lens aligned infinity focus, fixed autopin of m42 lens thus could handle the issue but that takes time and not what u have bargained for , here if was sold as AF lens but on raising issue was told to use as MF with a price paid for AF lens of similiar kind, had no infinity (did not lock on infinty) on AF. BEWARE do not attempt purchase unless u are willing to invest time in repairing or spending for repair, do factor such costs when purchasing. I spent over 4 hours fixing the issues.
well presently sharp as ever without issues, but then I brought AT-X pro 20-35/2.8  with its standard back focusing issue. well so much
 | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2013 Posts: 23 | | Review Date: December 20, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $175.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Hoya glass, solid built, sharp, good contrast | | Cons: | no hood, you need to find it and hard to find... | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
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Extraordinary, built like a battleship. I compared the performance of this lens to my Sigma 24-70 EX DG and I find that Tokina holds up well in the comparison. The best images from the Sigma were no sharper than those from the Tokina at the same focal length. This says a lot considering the reputation the Sigma 24-70 has for image quality. CA levels were comparible between the Sigma and Tokina also (in short, VERY low and in controllable amounts). Recommended as a good value. Performance and image quality are quite acceptable considering price. I would buy another if I needed one....
| | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2013 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: December 3, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $170.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | very sharp, wide enough, ergonomic | | Cons: | a bit old fashion | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
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Good choice for the person that needs the versatillity of a wide angle zoom lens.
Take it to sports events, family outings or on vacation for those wide vistas.
A little bit old fashion but af is still very fast with k bodies
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2013 Posts: 2
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 23, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $130.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Inexpensive, quick AF | | Cons: | Poorly fitting hood, average optical performance, short zoom range | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 6
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Bought this lens in 2007 as a foundation lens for my new digital SLR. Popular Photography highly recommended the lens on a price vs. performance basis.
My opinion is a little less enthusiastic. Sharpness, color rendition and contrast are all just average. As one reviewer said, flare can be a problem, but I mitigated that by getting the dedicated hood. Oh, another con - the hood fit so tight that once installed, I've never taken it off the lens again. Scared that doing so will strip or break the bayonet notches.
A decent lens, but there are better choices out there, with larger zoom range, smaller size, and equivalent (or better) optical performance for similar dollars.
| | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Moscow Posts: 13
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 3, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $145.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Weight, IQ/Price ratio, quick AF, internal zoom | | Cons: | 77mm filters, flare | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 9
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It calls "Plastic Fantastic" - and that's true. Don't underestimate lens by the plastic shape. For the moderate reasonable price you can have real good IQ. Wide angle, light-weight, really sharp - I only wish it could be 67mm instead of 77!
You should always have hood on this lens - flares and purple fringes are your constant enemies. But if you succeed - wonderful colors are yours!
Yes, it is not the FA-bulous 20-35/4, but it is good enough and costs twice less.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctax/tags/af193/ - shots made by this lens.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: California Posts: 2,223
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 1, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $135.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sturdy, well-built, very fast, wide angle, quick focus, sharpe, wide range | | Cons: | None so far | |
       
I bought this lens from Ebay without knowing much about it, just because I liked the looks of it. As it turnout, it replaced my DA 18-50mm kit lens. This is the lens I carry up and down, plus a zoom. I am absolute impressed with this lens and am searching and studying and comparing the whole Tokina line to make sure I do not miss any. I have not found anything that I do not like on this lens. I strongly recommend it.
The lens is heavy and feels and looks like built to last. It is easy to use manually, as well as automatic focus.
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Update: I bought the hood from B&H. I had to wait six months after I ordered. It is not that big, but helps a lot in plain sunshine.
| | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2009 Location: HAMBURG, GERMANY Posts: 6 | | Review Date: February 27, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | beautiful colors, best HOYA glas, solid build, full image circle | | Cons: | production stopped | |
I love this lens - as popphoto said - you have to buy it. Great colors, full image circle and on my PENTAX K10D (APS-C 10MP) sharp till the corners.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: December, 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Posts: 1,852 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: June, 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,375
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 12, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Good lens for the price | | Cons: | a bit soft and lower contrast at maximum aperture | |
At the time I purchased this lens, it was rated above average and provided an extension to the wide angle options my other Pentax 28-200mm zoom gave. I've used it for a number of pictorial shots and have been quite happy with the results. It's been with me for more than 10 years and I can't complain about the construction being "wimpy". It did sell with a bayonet mount lens shade which I have, but the shade is so small in stature that I rarely resort to using it (I usually provide a shade from the direct sun with my hand or something else rather than dig out the shade). If the direct sun hits the front element, it will flare depending on the sun's angle. Installing the shade also interferes with filter changing. Varifocal so needs to be refocused for each focal length change (no problem with auto-focus). At the widest end (19mm), two standard thickness filters will cause vignetting (one passes ok). Very reasonable performance when cost considered.
Addenda: I had problems with my regular telephoto recently and the only lens at hand was my Tokina so I shot at 35mm with my K-1 (fairly well stopped down). I was really surprised with the result. I could enlarge the image to the equivalent of a 150-200mm FF shot and it still looked sharp. Part of the success goes to the K-1 which pulls a lot of resolution out of any lens capable of it, but I'm pretty happy about the Tokina performance. One note, be sure to use a thin ring filter or polarizer as the "wideness" of this lens can make a thick ring filter vignette (particularly at the 19mm end). Of course that wouldn't be a problem with APSC cameras, but the FF K-1 is more particular.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: September, 2008 Location: Quezon City, Philippines Posts: 168 | | Review Date: January 5, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | light, good picture quality, internal focus and zoom, therefore does not extend a whit when zooming or focusing | | Cons: | for some reason instead of 19mm on the wide side, it registers as 20mm | |
very happy with it, light on the K100D and does not lengthen when focusing or zooming. great people pictures, quick focus.
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1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 6, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | good for the price, compact for this build quality and focal length | | Cons: | | |
This lens was great value for the price. It wasn't as great as I hoped so I sold it and went for a Tamron SP 17-35. The Tamron is slightly better, but cost more at the time. This is a lens I'd be happy to suggest if the price was right for your budget. It also does not have extreme problems with lens flare as many of the older (manual focus third party) wide angle lenses tended to have.
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