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

thunkpad#9250 date: Jul-23-2011
sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 3 overall: 4.4	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:	missing
price paid:	230 GBP used
positive:	- Very, very solid - Very sharp from f/4 - Excellent value
negative:	- Soft at f/2.8 - Some flaring
comment:	I've used this on several weddings as my main standard zoom and I can say it certainly holds up well for a lens that costs well less than half the equivalent Sigma and less than a fifth of the Carl Zeiss equivalent. At f/2.8 it clearly doesn't perform as well as these two lenses, with images decidedly soft - although that's not always a massive issue when shooting portraits. I tend to shoot from f/3.5 for this reason - but 2.8 is there if you need it. From f/4 it'll compete well with the Sigma and Carl Zeiss and from f/8 you'll be wondering why anyone would pay more. Flare has only really presented itself as an issue a couple of times but will show up if you start pointing it directly at the sun. As others have noted, it's built like a tank so no issue with build quality. A real gem if you can find one and great to have while you save up forthat Zeiss!