Tokina AT-X 235 AF PRO 20-35mm f/2.8

I really like this lens. I use it on a Nikon D200 and am quite pleased. Every lens has it's own characteristics. Some have more contrast, some are sharper than others...on and on. I've found the same is true for photo software. The same exact picture file viewed on Nikon software (Capture NX) looks soft compared to the same file viewed on Canon Zoombrowser.

The complaints I've read about this lens and Tokina lenses in general is that they are soft and not as contrasty as their Nikon equivalents. All I can say is the more I look at the pictures I take with this lens the more I like them. Yes...they are slightly softer, with less contrast, than my Nikon primes. But I have honestly started to feel my Nikon primes over-emphasize the contrast. The shots from my Tokina lens just look more natural.

Of course, I can always add contrast and additional sharpness if desired...but I normally don't find it necessary. This lens is soft at f/2.8 but certainly quite useable. I think the extremely shallow depth of field associated with a f/2.8 aperture can fool people into thinking the lens is not sharp. In any case, stop it down to f/4 or f/5.6 and this lens brings nothing but smiles. At f/8 and f/11 it's simply wonderful.

Like everyone else says the lens is built extremely well. Comparing this to Nikon's plastic bodied lenses I think you'll agree that there simply is no comparison. Don't let a little extra weight bother you. The good stuff is a bit heavier...and the plastic junk...well...it's plastic junk. Nikon's true pro-grade lenses are heavy too...especially on your wallet. Give Tokina a chance. I think you'll be glad you did.

Great optics, great build quality, great value.

The focus clutch mechanism on this particular model requires you to find a particular spot in the turning radius to allow you to move the unit into the manual focus mode. This "spot" changes...so you have to search a bit to find it. You also need to switch the camera into manual mode. It's not hard to do...but I believe the newer Tokina lenses can be snapped down at any point. and do not require you to change the camera's setting.

Tokina 12-24mm AT-X AF Pro, Nikon 18-200 AF-S VR, Nikon 18-70 AF-S, many Nikon manual focus primes.

This is a ATXpro lens and hence has very good finishing appropriate for a pro-level equipment. Weight and size has complemented both digi-bodies as well as film bodies very nicely. Feels more expensive than it is.

Fine sharpness and contrasty. Lens is very well built and markings on body is clear, finished with a touch of class on tenture.
Nothing is better for a f2.8 spec-ed lens at this price. Of course nikkor 17-35mm/f2.8 rules but how many times more do you need to fork out? Eitherway most owners of the nikkor also used it at f4. This Tokina does not lose at f4 either.

got to master the MF/AF switch.
lens hood can be better.

Not needed.

It is an extreamly sharp lens (or at least mine is). It is not quite as sharp as my 20mm Nikkor prime but it is FAR sharper than than my 24-85mm 2.8-4 and my 24-120mm 3.5-5.6 VR on the 24mm end of things. Even at 2.8 the lens is more than acceptable and sharper than I expected.

Focus is very fast and accurate.

I've found the color to be brilliant. There may be a very slight color difference from this lens to some of my other 2.8 Nikkor lenses, due to the different coatings they use.... its no big deal in my opinion. I think I only see it in my purples and blues... could be my imagination... very small.

I have not used it for any arcitectural work. So, I can't really comment on pin cusion or barrel distortion. Its there.... but acceptable for large group photos and such things.

Flare is more of an issue with this lens than with my 20mm prime.... for one obvious reason.... 20mm Nikon is a 52mm prime and the 20-35mm Tokina is a 77mm zoom. This is a fact of life.

I have no regrets on buying this lens. Dollar-for-dollar its the best 2.8 wide zoom out there for your Nikon, if you can only afford used lenes.

Sharp.

Build quality is second to none! It doesn't feel like a toy.

The bokeh is beautiful.

It is extreamly heavy! No joke. Pick up your camera and try to hold a 32oz glass jar of manaise in the same hand and you'll have an idea how heavy it is. Its over one and a third pounds! Two wide Nikkor primes would be lighter.

Focus Clutch really isn't quite there yet. If your like me, and don't plan on using that feature then its not really a drawback.

Nikon AF 20mm 2.8
Nikon AF 28mm 2.8
Nikon AF 24-85mm 2.8-4
Nikon AF 24-120mm VR 3.5-5.6

I bought this len simply because I need a wide zoom len and hesitate to pay more than 1200 for Nikkor 17-35(though I think it worth this price.) The focus speed is fast on my F100. The image is blur at wide opened aperture. It becomes better at f3.3 and getting better from f4.0 to f11. You can see my simply test for this len on http://www.fotop.net/jonaschen/tokina2035. Overall, I think this is a good len for this price. The construction looks professional.

zoom, low price, fast focus, construction quality

blur at f2.8

Nikkor 20mm f2.8, Nikkor 35mm f2.0, Nikkor 18-35 f3.5

I purchased this lens used on eBay as a replacement for three prime lenses I was tired of lugging around. THIS WAS MY FIRST NON OEM BRAND LENS PURCHASE EVER! I had heard about Tokina's reputation for good glass, so for less than $200.00, I decided to give it a try. Needless to say, I am VERY IMPRESSED with the sharpness and contrast. I use it on my N-90s, F-100, and D-70. The images produced on my D-70 are stunning! The lens is heavy, but I like that. I am so tired of all this plastic crap on the market today. I tend you "use" my equipment which means is often gets shoved in my bag with other equipment, therefore, it has to be heavy. The autofocus is very fast on my F-100 and a almost as fast on my D-70. For apporximately $200.00 used compared with the new Nikkor at over $1,000.00? It was a no brainer. Plus, I have shot both lenses and if you are intellectually honest? You cannot see any difference in picture quality in prints up to 8 X 12. Trust me on this one. Don't let the photo snobs convince you otherwise.

SOLID BUILD QUALITY sharpness contrast weight

weight does not focus quite as close as the 20-35mm nikkor

20 mm 2.8 nikkor 24 mm 2.8 nikkor (still the sharpest ever) 20-35 2.8 nikkor 28-85 nikkor (almost worn out after 12 years and several thousand rolls of film) 24-84 nikkor DX (nice sharp lens for cheap plastic)