Zoom lens: Canon FD or Tokina?

I'm looking to purchase a zoom lens for my A-1. However, I don't

know whether to get the original Canon 28-70 FD lens, or a newer

Tokina 28-70 lens. Which would be more superior in optics? They are

both selling for about the same price ~$125.

 

Does anyone have any recomendations? Personal experiences?

 

Thanks...

Mark, if you have your sights set on a 28-70, then you'll have to go with an after-market lens. Canon did not make such an animal...at least I'm not aware of one. Personally, I buy/use only Canon OEM lenses because I believe they are superior to most after-market lenses.

 

There are three (not counting the AF version) 35-70 FDn lenses, the f/2.8-3.5, the f/4, and the f/3.5-4.5.

 

The f/2.8-3.5 is considered "best" by a lot of folks, but I prefer the constant f/4 version. The f/3.5-4.5 lacks the build quality or glass of the f/4, and the changing aperture can make a difference if you shoot with a flash. I have not used the f/2.8-3.5 version.

 

Also, if you decide on a FDn 35-70 f/4 lens please let me know.

 

Rob Wierman

rlw*@prodigy.net...change the * to a j

Thanks for the response Rob. I'll try and look for the 35-70mm with the constant f4.

 

One more question, is it true that the sharpest images from any lens occurs at 2-3 stops from the widest aperture? Is this indicated in the manuals of lenses? Or do I have to just shoot a bunch of test shots?

 

Thanks again...

Yes, usually 3-4 stops down is optimum. Check out this site:

 

http://members.aol.com/canonfdlenstests/default.htm

 

Rob Wierman

MY two bits:

 

I own:

 

2) 28-70 f3.5/4.5 Tokina SD

 

28-85 f3.5/4.5 Tokina AT-X

 

28-55 f3.5/4.5 nFD Canon

 

35-70 f3.5/4.5 nFD Canon

 

A long with a current total of 26 Canon Tokina Vivitar Soligar Sigma lenses in Canon FD mount.

 

I have owned probably another 35-40 Canon FD mount lenses from lots of different manufacturers that I have used and sold over the years.

 

And in my opinion for the money Tokina 28-70 f3.5/4.5 SD is one of the best of the mid range zooms. It's not quite as good as the Canon 28-85mm f4 nFD but the Tokina sells for less the $75.00 on ebay quite often were as the Canon sells for over $300.00 and is in now worth the extra cost. I bought one of these for my wife to use as a travel lens when we go on trips and liked it so much that I ended up buying a second one to use when I shoot weddings in tight quarters and to keep on a body in the car. The much picked on 35-70mm f3.5/4.5 nFD Canon is also an excellent value for the money. everyone seams to complain about the lt.wt. and atibute this to low quality. Not so it is an excellent little zoom and a lot tougher then people give it credit for.

 

I suggest if you are able to buy one of the 28-70mm f3.5/4.5 SD Tokina's and try it out if you don't find it to your liking put it back on ebay and recover you money. Kind of like a rental.

 

Mark W.

 

Canon junkie

Are you sure you need a zoom lens?

 

For $125 the optics of those lenses would probably be okay, but possibly not up to quality print sizes greater than 6"x9". I've played owned and played with a number of Canon and 3rd party FD zoom lenses and have never been particularly enamored of them, especially the inexpensive ones.

 

A Canon zoom with one of the best reputations is the 28-85, but you will not find that for $125.

 

Do you have any lenses for your A-1 right now? For close to the same amount of money you could get a used 50/1.8 and a used 135/2.8 lens.

I own a 70-210 f4, 50mm f1.8, and a 28mm f2.8. I really want a zoom lens because it's a real pain in the *ss changing lenses for street photography. The fixed lenses are no problem for landscapes because I have more time to fiddle with different lenses, but it's not the same story when shooting fast changing street scenes.

Mark, I do a lot of street photography, and you've already got the lenses for it, in my opinion. The 50/1.4, which I also have is a super all-around and open portrait lens. The 28/2.8 is ideal for Winogrand/Frank/Smith/Friedlander-type street photos. Your current zoom is fine for anything across the street. :-)

 

My most used street lens is my 24/2.8, although I often wish I'd gotten the f/2 so that the quality would be better *at* 2.8 (Wide open, my 24mm lens is a dog.) But I'm not unhappy without a zoom, and it only takes a few seconds to "fiddle" wto switch lenses. Really, at your budget your zoom choices will yield results inferior to those prime lenses you already own.