Tokina 24-70 f2.8 for Canon? Has any one had any experience with this lens? How does it compare to the Canon, Sigma or Tamron versions? I have an opportunity to buy a refurbished one...

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

Has any one had any experience with this lens? How does it compare to the Canon, Sigma or Tamron versions? I have an opportunity to buy a refurbished one directly from Tokina for $500. Is this a good deal and worth it, or should I save for one of the other brands?

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...I like Tokina products, but mine are DX (I have the 12-24 f4 and the 10-17 fisheye). That sounds like a great price...

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

The reviews I read talk about it's focus ring sticking, slow af or not accurate af, and purple fringing. They all say it's sharp. If you can live with AF (auto focus) issues and purple fringing, then it's a bargain. The Canon f/2.8 is about $1700-$1800. Personally, I stick to Canon products, but I may try a tokina 11-16mm lens but just for one purpose, milky way photos.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

mvetrano2 wrote:

Has any one had any experience with this lens? How does it compare to the Canon, Sigma or Tamron versions? I have an opportunity to buy a refurbished one directly from Tokina for $500. Is this a good deal and worth it, or should I save for one of the other brands?

Tokinas entry in this range is the slowest focing, and the poorest image quality of ALL the current model 24-70mm F2.8 lenses. Nikon, Tamron, and Sigma all offer stabilization in this range, Canon and Tokina do not. The Tamron G2 and Sigma ART lenses are both absolutely amazing in every respect and have much longer warranties that Tokina or especially Canon. At theor price points, image quality, and warranties they both need to be SERIOUSLY looked at!

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

But, can I beat the $500 price for either the Sigma or Tamron, forget Canon, way out of price range? And, for the price, is the auto focus or image quality that horrible?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

mvetrano2 wrote:

But, can I beat the $500 price for either the Sigma or Tamron, forget Canon, way out of price range?

If price is your only purchase criteria, then your price point will not get you a better lens unless its stolen. Personally, I have never considered lesser quality a better deal just because it was cheaper, for anything! Your choice to make.

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

You are certainly right, but does higher price always mean better quality? I’ve just read a review and YouTube where the Tokina was superior to the Canon and Tamron in image quality.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

mvetrano2 wrote:

You are certainly right, but does higher price always mean better quality? I’ve just read a review and YouTube where the Tokina was superior to the Canon and Tamron in image quality.

I guess that all depends on how much faith you put in YouTubes reviewers. Having used and sold both new and old versions of all 5 lenses, I rank the Tamron G2 and Sigma ART versions at the top of the heap. But thats just me and I don't do YouTube videos.

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

If you are selling the Sigma or Tamron at a decent price (or know where, beside EBay I can get one), let me know? But $500 for a factory refurbished lens sounds awful good.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

mvetrano2 wrote:

If you are selling the Sigma or Tamron at a decent price (or know where, beside EBay I can get one), let me know? But $500 for a factory refurbished lens sounds awful good.

Its the cheapest 24-70mm F2.8 new at $799, so its obviously going to be the cheapest one used as well. Your decision alone, no one else's. You asked for opinions.

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

And I do thank you and value your opinion, and agree that there are other more readily available and possibly better lenses. My original request was to here from someone that has actually used this Tokina lens, if any one exists.

robrory Loc: Coatesville, PA

I am not a Pro and just have a love of using my equipment to produce images that please me. If it were not for the fact that I just bought a Canon 24-105 f/4 L, I would probably give the Tokina a shot.

Photocraig

MT Shooter wrote:

If price is your only purchase criteria, then your price point will not get you a better lens unless its stolen. Personally, I have never considered lesser quality a better deal just because it was cheaper, for anything! Your choice to make.

mvetrano2,
Listen to Carter! Most Hogs do.
Even by my perpetually struggling Advanced Amateur standards, like a terminal Intermediate Skier, mixing the word horrible in any dimension with the quality of the images I work so hard to make, tells me you're telling yourself NOT to buy this lens at ANY price. I'm on the pinchy-est budget, so I feel your consternation. The best composition and exposed image is crap if it is soft or you missed the "Moment" because of a focusing miss or delay. Like so many here (especially Carter), have said about cheap tripods applies to lenses and probably everything else, they're not a bargain when you have to buy them twice.

Meanwhile, remember many really iconic photographs were made by photographers who found a way to get the shot with what they had. Until you can find the resources to get a Canon, Tamron or Sigma top of the line lens, find the shot you can make into a great image.

I hope you are able to get the shots YOU want and make them the best you can make them, while having fun, because It AIN'T about the gear.
C

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Photocraig wrote:

mvetrano2, br Listen to Carter! Most Hogs do. br ... (show quote)

Once one comes to the realization that it is the LENS that takes the image, the camera is just a recording device, then the choices become much easier. For most anyway.

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

I am still waiting for an actual user of this lens to give an opinion, but the following reviewers seem to think the Tokina is very good:

www.camerastuffreview.com/en/tokina-lens-review/review-tokina-24-700-f-2-8-sd/amp

https://kenrockwell.com/tokina/24-70mm-f28.htm

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/amp/photography/hands-review/tokina-x-24-70mm-f28-pro-fx

https://www.dxomark.com/tokina-at-x-24-70mm-f-2-8-pro-fx-nikon-lens-review-

www.thephoblographer.com/2015/11/17/review-tokina-24-70mm-f2-8-canon-ef/amp/

https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2015/07/quick-mtf-of-the-tokina-24-70-f2-8-pro-fx/