geralddean53 wrote:
This is my very first post on Ugly Hedgehog. I have been looking at the Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro-D Macro lens for my Nikon D7000 camera. My only other exposure to macro is a set of extension tubes, but I would like more distance between the lens and the subject. I am asking for feedback on the optical quality, mechanical quality and ease of use for this lens. I have read several reviews on quality websites, but I thought I would pose this question to experienced photographers on UHH. I just can not afford a more expensive macro lens at this focal length, and I have had this lens on backorder at B&H and Adorama for months. Thank you!
This is my very first post on Ugly Hedgehog. I ha... (
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It's best to stay clear of Rockwell - he often reviews products he has never touched. If you still believe he is credible, this is a quote from his About page,
"Apparently the world finds my opinions very useful, but remember, they are the opinions of one man. I have a big sense of humor, and do this site to entertain you (and myself), as well as to inform and to educate. I occasionally weave fiction and satire into my stories to keep them interesting. I love a good hoax. Read The Museum of Hoaxes, or see their site. A hoax, like some of the things I do on this website, is done as a goof simply for the heck of it by overactive minds as a practical joke. . . I have the energy and sense of humor of a three-year old, so remember,
this is a personal website, and never presented as fact. I enjoy making things up for fun, as does The Onion, and I publish them here — even on this page."He is best ignored - but to some it can be entertaining. To others who actually read his about page, the entertainment value is watching how many people quote him as an authoritative source.
That being said, I have not used the Tokina, but seeing as it has been not available for months, I think it's best to begin looking at alternatives.
Here is one, at exactly the same price point, and also highly regarded:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SIGMA-DG-EX-105mm-F-2-8-D-MACRO-LENS-FOR-NIKON-CAMERAS-/162127582507?hash=item25bf8e952b:g:Ks4AAOSwbYZXYIfAif you are lucky, you can score the non-OS version of the Sigma 150 F2.8 Macro - for just a few pennies more. I got mine shortly after they released the OS version, and paid $400.
The thing about true macro prime lenses is that I have never seen a bad one. So it's pretty hard to go wrong.
Here are a couple of other alternatives worth looking into in the 100-105 mm range, and a couple of Sigma 150s :
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/36857/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwwry8BRDjsbjMpPSDvagBEiQA5oW0nGBIldrBowgERwU4Cv3N2QvzYGOpWmaBDAQJejr74GQaAkoH8P8HAQ&c3api=1876%2C72118895162%2Chttp://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/36855/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwwry8BRDjsbjMpPSDvagBEiQA5oW0nHoZbYtcqlbaT9vzqqmiHyT6dwKMOfrR4nJcVIVAryEaAkEb8P8HAQ&c3api=1876%2C72118895162%2Chttp://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/148530/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwwry8BRDjsbjMpPSDvagBEiQA5oW0nIMvBNRRMrzzR4A0FdCx_2AyxPJoFn8R_cZF9uMk5nkaAgsR8P8HAQ&c3api=1876%2C72118895162%2Chttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Excellent-SIGMA-AF-150mm-F2-8-APO-MACRO-DG-HSM-for-Nikon-107366-K154-/222188425879http://www.ebay.com/itm/Excellent-SIGMA-AF-150mm-F2-8-APO-MACRO-DG-HSM-for-Nikon-102548-J228-/331910310710I've owned the Nikon MF 105, the Sigma 105, and found the working distance to be a little short - so I ended up getting the Sigma 150 macro and a Tamron 180 macro and I no longer scare away the butterflies and bees.