Tokina AT-X 242 AF 24-200mm f/3.5-5.6

I must have been very lucky with my sample, since it seems there is a good deal of variation in quality of different samples of this lens, OR maybe the difference is really what expectations people have to this lens? It`s far from a miracle when it comes to optical performance. It is quite soft and without contrast wide open, vignetting is there under f/8, and so on.. BUT stopped down it`s very good, not excellent, but very good, with consistent performance at all focal lengths. When using a good quality DSLR this is no problem. Use f/8-11 and ISO3200-6400 and go on shooting if the light drops. Anyone NOT post processing images these days? Of course one can not improve the sharpness of a lens in post processing, but colors, contrast, vignetting, etc, etc is of course not desided by optics or chemistry anymore (if anyone missed that point..). This lens leaves nothing to be desired when used as intended. What puts this lens on the top of my list of "all purpost wide range zoom`s" is the EXCELLENT quality of the construction when it comes to mechanical precision, finish, handling, look, balance and the confidence it radiates to the user. It tells you every time you put it to use; "trust in me, if you handle me properly, I`ll produce"! There is just no other lens with this combination of range and quality. DON`T BUY IT as your only lens. For critical sharpness use primes, or spend big $$ on expensive limited range zooms (like I do..)

Range
Usability
Consistent optical performance
Mechanical quality
Quality feeling
Weight
Look

Optical performance on wider apertures
Weight, when carried around a long day

Nikon AF-S 24-85mm
Nikon AF-S 17-35mm
Nikon AF 28-80mm

not used

I use this very versatile lens all the time. It has only been off camera twice since I purchased it, and only to put my Nikon 60mm Micro on for close/micro work. Maybe my shooting conditions have been such that I have not found the problems that others mention regards this lens, so I am happy with it's renderings especially at f8 thru f11. Very sharp, and I find nothing that PS can't fix with a few mouse clicks.
I recommend this lens to any amateur photographer.

For the money, a great lens. build quality is excellent.

A little heavy, but it balances out my D70 very well, so I'm not sure I would even call that a weakness. Not as sharp as my Nikkor 60mm, but then, what is??

None.

Not required in over a years heavy use.

Bought this lens used because I love the range which covers very wide for landscapes as well as people pictures. I found the lens to be very sharp with good contrast and color. Wide open the edges appear slightly soft but not seriously so. The lens is quite sharp. It is great for trips and vacations when only 1 lens would do.

Robust build Great zoom range Sharpness

Slight softness in edges wide open.

None

You get what you pay for it. Build like a tank but bad autofocus and medium bad/medium optical performance. Stop down to 8 for medium performance. Pictures are soft, wide open you will see significant vignetting. That means realy dark corners... Unusable for available light conditions because the vignetting. Night shots are impossible. I've used this lens with my EOS 300 and compared it on my EOS5D with the 24-105 4L and my canon 75-300 III USM. 24-105 is in all conditions clearly better (less vignetting, no ca) but this isn't surprising.... Surprising is the difference between this one and my 75-300... the reviews for this lens are terrible. But this usm lens is also from 75 to 200 visible better then the tokina... This is a walk around lens but if you want good pictures dont by this one. The price is attractive for beginners but they can't get good results with this lens. This lens killed some holiday shoots...

well build quality

1. on EOS 5D visibla CA 2. extreme vignetting 3. slow AF 4. manual focus complicated to use

well, well, after reading over 50 reviews on this tokina 24-200mm..ive decided to buy it..cuz most reviews were pleased with it..i now have 3 lenses to compare to..i have the nikon 28-200mm g lens, the nikon 24-120mm, and now the tokina 24-200mm..i have sold the nikon 24-120mm after 2 yrs of using it, it just wasnt good enough for me..so i bought the nikon g lens 28-200mm, and its pretty good lens over all..but im here to talk about tokina 242- 24-200mm f3.5..1st impression was " WOW" watta awesome lens dood!!, its looks so nice n feels very hefty, well design, solid, heavy, all metal. perhaps best looking lens out there in its class. then of course i started shooting, mounted it on my fujis2 pro..and shot it with av mode, and p mode..the results were very sad..at wide its seemed good enough, got nice edges..not bad in sharpness..good contrast, nice colors..but after that i shot at mid ranges to high end zoom..the results were dissapointed..its got lens glares, soft images..lost light..colors are weak..and i even tried to shoot it at f6.7 n higher..came out better at higher f stop toward the smaller apatures. i must agreed with those whos give it low score on this lens..i will try to shoot more tests, but i know in my heart it will end up in ebay.. too bad!! watta good looking lens, but optics are suxs big time.. ill keep my nikon 28-200mmED G lens for now, its the best out of 3 lenses ive mentioned here..too bad so sad on tokina.. for the money its not too bad for those who wants a good starter lens...but i wouldnt recomended to any of those whos cares for quality in pics..

heavy, solid, well build, good design, nice matching hood.. smooth zoom ring and tight..metal mount is a plus..

optics suxs..glares, lost light on high zoom..soft images on teles..can be too heavy for lighter digital cams..

sigmas, tamrons, nikons 24-120mm..

never needed..