Sharp and fast,
Finish.

Size/Weight,
Second neck strap,
Color reproduction.

After I bought my Nikkor 80-200 2.8 a few years ago I was enlightened by the luxury of fast lenses, but I needed that extra 100mm (beyond 200mm). I messed with the Sigma f/4 for awhile but the lack of a zoom hurt my shooting range. The Tokina looked like the answer.

I have used this lens heavily for aviation photography (with slow slide film), and the results are rather impressive. BUT (there's always a but), the color rendition on smoggy days in Southern California consistantly produce results with a disturbing magenta tint (with or without filter). This lens is so big and heavy, it is shipped with a second neck strap that attaches to the lens directly. I suppose it is a good idea to reduce stress on the lens mount, but it gets tangled up like spaghetti with the camera strap. Finally, the (metal) lens hood makes the lens that much longer, albeit a neccessary evil. I like metal lens hoods, but with metal on metal (such as a filter), don't tighten it too tight or the hood will be 'welded' to the filter. AND, with the lens hood attached, the lens will not fit in anything with the exception of a monster bag, and takes up room normally occupied by other lenses or SLRs.

Decent lens, decent price, but now retired and replaced by Nikkor 80-400VR.

Customer Service

Not required.

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8,
Sigma 300 f/4,
Tamron 200-400.

Good sharpness, economic choice, solid structure.

screw-in lens hood, less convenient

Optical quality is good in flare control and sharpness even at F4, but the colour is a bit "cool". The zoom range is useful.

Customer Service

Good, provide 3 years warranty in HK.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon AFS80-200/2.8, Pentax FA80-200/2.8, Canon EF70-200/4L, Tokina ATX AF 80-200/2.8.

Extremely sharp at f4 at all focal lengths. Very solidly built.

It's big and heavy, but so what?

I use this lens for photographing figure skating competitions. Since flash photography is not permitted, I needed a fast zoom. I shoot all my pictures at f4 and the lens is fantastically sharp at all focal lengths. The lens is also extremely well built and solid. I couldn't be happier.

Customer Service

Haven't needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 75-300 f4.5-5.6 APO.

The lens offers great versitility being a 1-300. It is tack sharp through out its focal length. An aperature of f4, low dispersion glass, rugged lens with a rotating tripod collar and reasonably fast.

none

The tokina 1-300f4 is a very good lens. It is better than any 1-300 on the market. Its a bit heavy but so are all pro lenses made with an aluminum houseing and LD glass

Customer Service

haven't had to have any

Similar Products Used:

None