Tokina 80-400mm Telephoto

[Roosta]

What if any feedback could AP regs provide me on this lens.

Looking for a cheap light weight tele lens, this seems to fit the bill, but at $550-$600 it seems toooo cheap.

Any feedback would be great.

[Boo53]

Roosta

I've been looking, and trying to justify buying, a similar lens recently

I don't have this Tokina lens, but do have the 11-16 f2.8 zoom and I'm happy with it, BUT the reviews on the net do all seem to raise questions of quality control with the 80-400.

The Sigma APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM for a similar price (grey market) seems to be a better unit

[Roosta]

The Sigma APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM for a similar price (grey market) seems to be a better unit

Thanks for that, did look at the Sig, but the Tokina is 1/4 the weight, was intrested in a lightweight general lens. The Sig seems to be a great lens by all reports, only find info on the Tokina back about 3 - 7 years on other reputable forums DPreview and the like.

[Bercy]

I have the tokina 50-135 - still not the same lens you are looking at but I would say the brand quality appears outstanding.

[Roosta]

Thanks Berni, had a play with the 12-24mm the other night and it impressed me no end. Have heard a few things on the 80-400, so maybe Tokina have the build quality under control.

Would love to hear from an owner of the lens.

[Tamtarn]

Hi Roosta

Hadn't noticed this thread till today.

I purchased a Tokina 80 - 400 in Sept this year and although I managed to get some nice shots of highland cattle on one outing, when taking shots of birds in trees with a sky background from 200 to 400mm the CA in medium to high contrast shots was so bad I returned the lens along with sample photos and received a full refund.

Maybe I got a bad copy.

Three weeks ago I purchased a Sigma Apo 120 - 400 DG OS HSM and have been very happy with the results.

Hope this helps.

David

[peterb666]

It seems as though the Tokina 80-400 was one of the very first long zooms with a wide range and its age is very much showing in poor CA and poor handling of flare.

You get flare at the wide end and CA at the long end. Maybe there is a sweet spot in the middle but I would think the Sigma APO 120-400 is a better choice. That's what I intend getting real soon.

Review of Tokina 80-400 at Lens Tip

[Roosta]

Thanks David, This is the type of feedback i've been looking for. the Sig does get some great right ups, and for price, beats the Canon L in 100-400.

Thanks again.

[Roosta]

Thanks Peter, I couldn't find any good late reviews of the Tokina.

[peterb666]

I just placed an order for the Sigma 150-500 zoom today. I hope to have it on Monday.

Cheers

PeterB666

[Boo53]

Peter

may I ask where from and how much.

I'm vacillating between the Sigma 120-400, 150-500, and of course do nothing and wait till I save up a bit more

[peterb666]

Direct from CR Kennedy as a price match to the lowest internet price I had. I went to my local dealer who contacted CR Kennedy who then said they would supply direct to me rather than through the dealer. Pity because the dealer had them on the shelf while mine has to come up from CR Kennedy's Melbourne warehouse.

[Roosta]

Nice one Peter, Atleast the are keeping it in OZ, rather than buying throught OS. Happy snapping, nice lens.

You'll have to post some shots, this for the Nikon obviously.

[peterb666]

Looking at also picking up an adapter for Nikon F to MFT with aperture control built in to use my Nikon lenses on the Olympus

[Roosta]

Looking at also picking up an adapter for Nikon F to MFT with aperture control built in to use my Nikon lenses on the Olympus

Peter, as you may be aware, I still have my E-330, cant bring my self to sell it, was thinking about leaving it on site (work in the mining industry WA) and use the Canon at home, Have you heard of much sucess with lens swapping to the Oly gear? you'd be using it on your EP I surpose.

[peterb666]

Probably getting a bit off-topic but the main problem is inability to do infinity focus. I have this problem with my cheap Chinese OM adapter and my not particularly cheap (but cheaply made) Robot mount adapter. For the Nikon, I will be probably go for the Japanese made Elefoto unit which is about 40% cheaper than the Novoflex unit. There are lenses cheaper than the Novoflex adapter! Both are available from Mainline Photographics.