Tokina 28-70mm F2.6-2.8 AT-X 270 PRO AF A-mount lens review by turpentine

turpentine#4888 date: Feb-22-2009
sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.5	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP; 24MP; 36MP; 42MP; 61MP
ownership:	I own this lens
compared to:	minolta 50mm/1.7 18-70mm sony kit minolta 35-70mm/3.5-4.5
price paid:	$285 LN w/ filter
positive:	all metal solid build. fast AF. reasonable bokeh sharp from 3.5 on
negative:	soft at 2.8, not an annoying soft, like an angelic soft. big filter I guess, not really an issue for me.
comment:	I just got this lens and really enjoy it. Usably sharp wide open but great stopped down just a bit. I prefer the build over the sigma/tamron alternatives a great deal. This lens is just something that needs to be felt. It is good having so much metal in your hands. From some test I cannot see any bf/ff issues on my a200. The focus is fast when the mf ring is disengaged. The manual focus ring is metal as well so it carries a lot of weight when it turns. I like all the very pro touches to this lens at a very non-pro price. This lens can be a bit hard to find but is definitely worth the cost if you are not looking to pay the $1700 for the CZ or Minolta G.