Tokina 300mm f2.8 Lens

Hi,

I just bought a Tokina 400mm f2.8 manual lens in Canon FD mount. I was

wondering if anyone has any experience of using this lens in terms of its

handling, resolution and contrast. How does it compare with other comparable

lenses like the Tamron or Sigma 300mm f2.8 or Nikon 300mm f4?

Thanks,

Simon

So did you buy a 300mm (thread title) or 400mm (your post?) Time to own up to having dyslexic fingers! :-)

I've got the same lens (assuming you mean 300mm.) Performance is quite good, but I can't say if it's the equal of the Canon FD 300/2.8 since I've never used one of those. I've always wondered if the lens hood needs to be that big.

If you don't already have a monopod, get one for those times when you are tempted to use a 300/2.8 handheld. Not so much for the improvement in the photos (which there will be) but to hold the weight of the darn thing. I don't suppose you'll need that suggestion if you actually have a 400/2.8...

Apology for the typo!

It is the 300mm f2.8 that I have. Photodo gave this lens a rating of 4.0, which is the second highest rating of all the Tokina lenses they evaluated. Here is the link: http://www.photodo.com/product_487.html

This rating, if comparable across different lens makers is superior to the Tamron SP 300mm f/2.8 LD (IF), with a rating of 3.8, and comparable to Nikon Nikkor AF-I 300 f/2.8 IF-ED, with a rating of 4.2 (http://www.photodo.com/product_71.html)

Here another good review from Jens in the fourthirdsphoto.com discussion group. http://fourthirdsphoto.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=6858

I bought the lens for $550 inclusive of EMS post. Is this a good price?

I am more interest in comments from other photographers who have real experience of using this lens for nature photography.

Thanks, Simon<div></div>

Further to my previous comments, here is a link to some very interesting results comparing Zuiko lens with the Tokina lens. It is translated from Japanese.

http://world.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?lp=ja_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2fhomepage3.nifty.com%2f3rdpartylens-om%2fLens%2520Test%2f300mm%2f300mm-Test.htm

Apparently, in 1988, the OM version cost 298,000.00 Japanese Yen, which equivalent to 1,919 EURO.

-Simon

Same lens, except mine's all black. When did they make it white?

You'll want to use Canon teleconverters. The 1.4x, obviously, and one of the 2X TCs. I haven't done any controlled tests to determine whether the 2X-A or the 2X-B is preferred with the Tokina (Canon recommends the 2X-B specifically for the FD 300/2.8 lens.)

Hi Alan,

I found this offical document describing the difference between the two Canon extenders.

http://www.canonfd.com/extend/notes.htm

Regards,

Simon

This discussion thread should enlighten all questions relating to the Canon Extenders:

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008ve5

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/fdlenses/extenders.htm#2X-A/B

Another useful link.

hi everybody iam new to the site so please forgive any errors.

can anybody tell me where i can buy the tokina lens 2.8f af for a pentax fitting.

any help would be appreciated

regards

peter

You would be advised NOT to split hairs regarding minute differences in resolution. You already bought the lens, get out and shoot with it.

http://www.newyorker.com/online/slideshows/pop/070305onslpo_01