Tokina AT-X SD 150-500mm f5.6 any better than Vivitar 120-600mm?

[gabriel_gerena]

<p>Me again keeping the forum active LOL<br /><br />I am a sucker for BIG lenses and I own the Vivitar 120-600mm which surprised me with pretty good IQ I feel but of course, if I can improve without breaking the bank I can always do that :D<br /><br />The Tokina is faster but shorter range by a bit, and I read that it gets pretty soft after 300mm but that was one user only.<br /><br /><br /> On the other hand, I also know that with old lenses it all depends on the condition of the one you get so maybe I am risking something workable for something unknown just to gain some speed. Then again, since the Lens Turbo 2 I gain one F stop so I will end up with a pretty cool effective 150-500mm F4 lens..not bad! <br /><br />So what you guys think? Not worth the trade? I know of another impressive looking Tokina 80-200 F2.8 that turned out to be disappointing based on what I have read so that worries me too.<br /> I added some images I took from a Rodeo Event shooting with a monopod from the other side of the stadium after editing and cropping when needed. An one bird on my backyard :D<br /><br /><img src="http://i62.tinypic.com/ok4bk8.jpg" alt="" />[</p>

<p>IMG]<img src="http://i60.tinypic.com/2qi1d89.jpg" alt="" /><br /> <img src="http://i59.tinypic.com/67tgqt.jpg" alt="" /><br /> <img src="http://i59.tinypic.com/yia38.jpg" alt="" /><br /> <img src="http://i62.tinypic.com/11tlpwn.jpg" alt="" /></p>

[awahlster]

<p>Your not likely to find anyone who has had both to compare.</p>

[gabriel_gerena]

<p>Yes it looks like a long shot for sure :)</p>

[mark_stephan2]

<p>Nice pics, what camera did you use?</p>

[gabriel_gerena]

<p>Thanks. That is the NEX-6 with Lens Turbo 2. I took it to the Rodeo just for fun as my main lenses there were the 200mm F2.8 IF and the FD 100mm F2 but I was surprised I was able to use it and get some good results. :)</p>

[Philipp500]

<p>According to older postings from diverse sites the 80-200 F2,8 is supposed to be pretty good, only slightly surpassed in its class by the Tamron, which is an excellent lens even by today's standard. I have the 150-500 and get sharp pictures even at 500mm and F5,6... What size enlargement do you intend to do? If you're not looking at very large prints, should be good enough.</p>