Build quality. excellent optics compared to the other 3rd party lens, and extremly close to the same quality as the canon 70-200L. Price!

I don''t like the lens hood, you must screw it on either over your filter or remove you filter, screw on the hood and put your filter back on, it does work, its just time consuming. Lack of snob appeal!

I now have used this lens along with a few other tokina''s for over a year on my EOS 3 canon body and I must admit, I do like this lens better than my previous canon 70-200 2.8L which was stolen. Build quality is much better than the canon, very solid and comfortable to use. And I do like the black lens body better than the white because it does''t seem to attract attention from others. The focus is a little slow but more than fast enough for my type of work. The optics are equal in every way except maybe wide open (f2.8 to f4 at 80 and again at 200)but only on the extream corners, and even then its extremly close to the canon 28-70 2.8L. I use this lens almost 99% of the time around f5.6 - f.8. were it performs perfectly. The folks at THK who distribute tokina here in the States were very helpful in answering any questions I had before I purchased their lens. I had heard there was compatibility problems with EOS camers but I have had none at all. If you don''t mind the smart remarks canon snobs will give you, you will be very satisfied with this lens and all the money you saved for traveling. For the price, its a five star lens.

Customer Service

None so far!

Similar Products Used:

Canon 70-200 f2.8L

Sharp at the long and short end. Tough construction. Good value (especially for used)

Screwed in and non reversible hood makes it slow to handle and store in camera bag. The optics flares easily and contributes to the sometime called undersaturated color (it is actually due to the minor flare fogging). Although the built is tough, the finishing is not good enough. Looking into the lens barrel and you will find sharp silver machined edge (which may lead to the flare problem). Slow AF gearing (may be 1.5 time slower than my Minolta APO G)

Cheapest 80-200F2.8. Sharpness is very good. Flare easily. Ralatively slow AF. Handling not good enough. Built quality is a mixed bag

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 80-200 F2.8 APO G

Like a tank.Full metal barrel.good flare control.Smooth & well controlled zoom ring.2.8 is a little soft.But stop down to 4.0 is very sharp.The best result of all 3nd party lens.

Tank is heavy.Focusing is slow & noisey.Lens hood is very stupid.Need replace chip for Elan 2.Stupid design for tripod coller.When use battery pack,cannot mount on manfrotto tripod.

The lens is EX.But the service in Canada is @#$%^&*(!.

Customer Service

Paid Can$130.00 to replace chip for Elan II.Wait over 3.5 months.very no good.

Similar Products Used:

Tanron 70-210 f-2.8,Canon 70-200 f-4

Fantastic optical quality even at 2.8. The fast aperture is crucial for me as a wedding photographer and this lens keeps delivering the goods. Colours are bright but not over cooked and contrast is excellent. Lens flare is well controlled.

It is not a light lens! You certainly know that it's been on the end of your camera after 5hrs doing a wedding! the clutch to change from manual to auto focus can be a pain to change when you're trying to beat the light.

An excellent lens that represents good quality and superior optics. The large diameter is great but filters do become more costly. It is not for the faint hearted in terms of it's weight.

Customer Service

Never needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax SMC FA 70 - 200

Very well built and attractive. Image quality is very good. Fast focus control.

Screw on lens hood. Camera body AF switch must be changed to Manual when using the lens in Manual mode. No macro mode. Has only one low dispersion element. Low resale value if you ever intend to resell it.

I owned this lens and shot 2 rolls with it. After an agonizing time I finally decided to send the lens back under a 14 day trial to upgrade to the Nikon 80-200mm AFD w/tripod collar. Yes it cost me $245 more but for some reason I just knew I would not be completely satisfied with the Tokina on my F100. When I found out that Nikon had 3 ED lenses compared to Tokina's on SD lens element that's what made up my mind. Plus I do like the fact that I don't have to change the AF body switch on the F100 to manual when using the lens in manual mode. Believe me, if your looking to save some bucks and can live with the listed weaknesses than don't hesitate to buy it!

Customer Service

Extremely good. Dave at customer service is awesome to deal with in CA.

Similar Products Used:

Tamron 28-200mm Super
Various Nikon optics

TANK... I would feel comfortable using this lens for self defense.

Excellet optics. I can't tell the difference between the Tokina and the Canon 80-200L

Focus is slow, but I think it might just be my model. Sending it to Tokina for servicing

Fabulous lens for the money. If you need extreme focus speed, get the Canon L, or Nikon AF-S.

Customer Service

Don't know yet, but I will soon.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 80-200 2.8L
Canon 70-200 2.8L
Nikon 80-200 2.8 AF-s
Tamron 70-210 2.8

Dam cheep clear and crisp. like a tank great build

None

I love this lens it is a great value for the money. It is fast in A/F mode too sharp in all ranges. Three year warrenty that sigma dosent offer that. Thanks Tokina. I used the sigma 70-200 2.8 HSM EX APO and find the Tokina is a much better lens in build, optics,and warrenty you will like what you see when you get your photos back from the lab. It is as good as my Canon 80-200 2.8L I can not tell when I look at my photos and I have tryed hard to tell the diff. Buy this lens and you will be happy trust me. Buy a sigma and you will be less happy. I use it as a back up to my canon but find my self putting the canon in the bag and useing the Tokina I like this lens what can I say. Buy and you will Like what you see I do.

Customer Service

Not used as of yet

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 70-200 2.8
Canon 70-200 2.8L
Canon 80-200 2.8L