-Handling -Optics -Build Quality

-AF/MF switch

Well, this one was quite a surprise. Its my only Non-Nikon Lens and when someone offered it to me for $900 - brand new in the box - I had to give it a try. The reviews here are dead on. This lens is sharp wide open. Its just as sharp as my 400MM 3.5 Nikkor. Combined with a TC-14E (you need to do the modification) this lens looses nothing to the 400MM. Again, I was very surprised. Focus is very fast on the F5, but can hunt a bit in dynamic AF. The switch between M and AF is not as easy requiring two steps. The MF however is nice and precise, very important for me and the lens does snap to focus nicely. Overall, very reasonable in size and a great lens hood. Build quality is right up there with the best of them This one is a keeper! For Nikon versions there is a rear rotating polarizer option $119 at Adorama.

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400MM AIS 200MM F2 AIS

Great lens, decent price, but well worth the money if sheer performance is you goal.

None that I found.

Err, to begin with this is an excellent lens, and the previous reviewer with his 2 star rating obviously recieved a bum unit or is just trolling what was a perfect 5 rating for this lens. And let me tell you it had a perfect 5 for a reason, this lens is magnificent, its sharp, insanely sharp, and worth every penny of its somewhat high price tag... Although, by comparison to say a Canon lens its actually well priced. I liked everything about this lens, the feel, the focus speed, the sharpness, contrast and bokeh, it excels in all fields.

Customer Service

Not Used

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80-200mm pentax SMC FA zoom lens

Attractive price, overall solid construction. The protective filter over the front might be a plus in some situations. Supposedly the Kenko 300 pro teleconverters are optimized for this lens.

Poor image quality! All the strengths are irrelevant without a good image. The hood would not fit in a reversed position when a quick-release plate was mounted on the lens.

I was eager and excited about this lens, but it was a major letdown. It is well built overall, very solid (the focus ring isn't as solid-feeling as the rest of the lens). It has an interesting 112mm protective filter covering the front glass. Huge thing! It can take gelatin filters internally, but if you chose to add a polarizing filter, you'd have to buy a hyper-expensive 112mm filter! The hood is held on with a screw, rather than snapping into place like most lenses I've seen. Unfortunately, the lens did not deliver for me in the key area of image quality. At f/5.6, it was not quite as sharp as my Canon 100-400L. At f/2.8, image sharpness deteriorated badly. I was shooting at a skyscraper almost half a mile away, so this was not due to shallow depth of field (and it fits in with the poor performance at f/5.6). It went back to Delta two days after I first tested it. So I am saving up for a Canon.

Customer Service

No experience with Tokina customer service, but Delta was professional and cooperative in accepting the return.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 100-400L

Built like a tank. Beautiful finish with a screw-in metal lens cap. Razor sharp and contrasty at all aperatures. Nice filter to protect front element.

Screw-in lens acp a bit cumbersome, but, offers much better protection than a slip-on plastic boot.

The autofocus speed is more than adequate to keep up with pro hockey or any other sports that I cover. I believe that this lens is as sharp as any Nikon 300mm f2.8 that I have tried, at half the price. I typically use this lens with a N90s. I believe that this lens would be an excellent purchase for any photographer Who wants a high quality professional lens at a affordable price. Tokina has done it again.

Customer Service

Have not used.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 300mm f4
Nikon 300mm f2.8 AF-I/S

Well built, fast focus, large lens hood to eliminate flare. Cheaper than Nikon.

NONE

I've used this lens for about three months and the results are excellent so far. Fast autofocus tracking on birds in flight. Crisp images. It's a keeper. Decent price.

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Nikon 300/4 autofocus.

High quality at a great price. As good as any Nikkor glass I've used

None come to mind

This is flat out a great lens. It's as crisp edge to edge as any Nikkor glass and returns great images no matter the aperture. At half the price of the same telephoto Nikkor you can't go wrong with this lens. If you pay more just for the name I have some beach front property in Kansas for you.

Customer Service

None needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 300mm f/4
Nikkor 300mm f/2.8

Very, Very Solid Built. Outstanding Optic compare to my Nikon AF 300 f4 IFED. Light weight. Very fast focus even with 1.4X converter.

AF slow down and uncertain when converter of 2X is used.
Slip dwon the focusing clutch is not the one step to change from Af to Manual. Camera body need to switch to Manual as well.

Outstanding lens! Never believe a 3rd party lens can be better than a Branded till you own one of these. Although AFS is dearer in AF but it is also much heavier and bigger compare to Tokina. Lenses from Tokina has a surge in Optical quality in recent year. Heard some very good Lens designer from a branded company left to join them.
Good new for all the photographer.

Customer Service

No need

Similar Products Used:

Nikon AF 300mm f4 IFED. Nikon AFS 80-200mmF2.8

Excellent built quality and optics. Easily the best Tokina I've ever owned. Excellent performance at 2.8, even with a 1.4X converter. Light weight for a 300/2.8.

none.

This is THE 300/2.8 you should buy. It costs less than the competition, but delivers the same performance.

Customer Service

slow, but excellent repairs.

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Tamron 300/2.8,
Tokina 28-70/2.8, 80-200/2.8, etc.

Relativly Fast Auto Focus (not relative to AFS)
Compact
Good Lens Hood
Comes with Rear and Front Filter.
Comes with Case and Cover.
Compative Kenko Pro 300 1.4x and 2.0x teleconvertors.

Autofocus is bad with F80 and 2xTC - things are better with F90x and good with F100
This is still an expensive lens (but worth it!)

A very good price for the lens that your getting - Tokina represent very good value. A fantastic lens in its class.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

80-400 Tokina
300 F2.8 Nikkor Old Non IF, IF and AFS.

tank-like build w/o being heavy. Results equal to nik/can best:contrasty, sharp everywhere, true color rendition.
fast a f.
lighter than nik/can
realistic price

none

if you can't work without big dollar monikers because you think it improves your status, then you are in the business for the wrong reason. i'd like to see tokina develop bigger glass at the specs this 300 2.8 has.

Customer Service

not nec...as yet

Similar Products Used:

nik 300 2.8 edif