I am looking to fill a gap between my 17-40L and 70-200L. I know about the Canon lenses, but I am wondering how this Tokina stacks up. The reviews on Fred Miranda are very positive. Does anyone here have an opinion?
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Tom065 • Regular Member • Posts: 294
Re: How good is the Tokina AT-X 280 AF PRO 28-80mm f/2.8?
I used to own one - it was well made - very soft at 2.8 - good at f4- very good at 5.6. You should look at the new Tamron 28-70 much sharper by all reports at 2.8.
VincentJ • Senior Member • Posts: 2,262
Look at the tamron 28-75 or the sigma.
I use to have the 28-80 ATX Pro. It was soft till f/5.6 and used to front focus specially towards 80mm. Looks like they spent all their money on the barrel and left very little for optics R&D. I'd take a serious look at the tamron and sigma offerings.
RDKirk • Forum Pro • Posts: 16,713
Had one, sold it
I had one that I used with my [film] Elans. It was a good lens in its day, especially with film cameras, and comparable in image quality to some of the best, as well as being very well made.
However, for DSLRs, it has problems stemming from its old design. It was quite soft at f2.8 [approaching a true "soft focus" effect]. It also suffered heavily from rear-element flare.
More modern lenses with rear-element multicoating do much, much better. I tested it against the Tamron 28-75mm Di and found that the Tamron was markedly superior in all areas of image quality.
In regards to build-quality, the Tamron is lighter and much easier to carry. The single major problem with the Tamron IMO is the fact that the focus ring turns as it autofocuses, however the lens is large enough that the focus ring is not normally under your fingers. I don't consider the polycarbonate vs metal debate of much significance--it doesn't guarantee that the lens can survive an impact any better, nor does it suggest tighter weather sealing, better internal cam and helicoil design, et cetera. What we really need in that regard are the stripdown reports that Popular Photography did a couple of decades ago; two Pop Photo technicians used to tear lenses and cameras down and comment on quality of assembly and choice of materials. -- RDKirk 'TANSTAAFL: The only unbreakable rule in photography.'
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Canon EF-S 10-18mm F4.5–5.6 IS STM +3 more
Re: How good is the Tokina AT-X 280 AF PRO 28-80mm f/2.8?
I had one of these as well ... used it on an Elan and then for a few years on an EOS3. As noted, this was a well regarded lense with film cameras and while it was not quite in their league optically, many considered it the "next best thing" compared to the Canon L and Nikon f2.8 equivilents. Very solid build ... looked and worked like new after 3 years of use.
I really noticed how soft it was at f2.8 when I put it in a 20D.
Sounds like from all the reviews and comments on these boards that the Tamron 28-75 is optically better, and as sharp as the Canon 24-70L. And being newer it is designed for digital. When I decided to replacing the Tokina I looked at the Tamron. Almost bought it, too.
Sony a7R V Sony 35mm F1.4 G Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 Sony FE 20mm F1.8G 70-200mm F2.8 GM II +1 more
Re: How good is the Tokina AT-X 280 AF PRO 28-80mm f/2.8?
A recent deal in KEH and good score on DXOMark on the recent 24-70 f2.8 made me interested into Tokina. Well over a week read many positive reviews which made me really interested , until found the below one
//www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/tokina-x-280-af-pro-28-80mm-f-2-8.html
hopefully it will help others
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