MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Please note the AGE of reviews you are looking at, and be aware EVERY lens manufacturer has come out with much newer and upgraded lenses in that focal length in the last year or so, except for Tokina that is.
And yes, I HAVE used the lens in question as I stated many posts back. You seem totally convinced it is the lens you want so why not just buy it rather than keeping to convince whoever it is you are trying to convince.

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

If you’ve used it, I would certainly want to hear your pros and cons on the lens. I have partially only decided, but will change my mind if the cons of the lens are extreme.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Image quality seems to be fine to me from what I have seen. Build quality is excellent. The price is a bargain.

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

ggab Loc: ?

I bought that same deal to use with my 6D earlier in the year. I use it for landscape, walk around, pictures of flowers in the garden, indoors without a flash. Basically a general use lens. Since I don't use it for action/sports shots the "slow focus" is not an issue. Frankly, in my case, splitting focus speed hairs by milliseconds is not an issue. The focus is spot on.
I wish it had image stabilization however. It would help with the indoor, no flash, shooting. I am not as steady as I used to be.

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Nukepr Loc: Citrus County, FL

I have the Nikon version of this lens, and it is the lens that stays on the front of my D810 most of the time. It has great image quality (DXO Mark put it at the head of the class for sharpness) and I have never had any issue with speed of the autofocus. I have never used the Canon version, but I assume the optics are the same, only mount is different. Based on my three years of use of the Tokina 24-70 f2.8 I highly recommend it.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I don't have that specific Tokina lens (I have the Canon 24-70 instead), but have used some others and might be able to help a little.

Tokina ATX-Pro lenses are quite well made... Some of the more modern ones I've used have reminded me of Canon L-series, with respect to design and materials.

But they have some quirks, too. Tokina lenses' focus and zoom ring operate the opposite direction from Canon (they rotate the same direction as Nikon instead).

Tokina also only uses micro motors in their lenses (there's one exception I know of, a 70-200, but it's not offered in Canon mount). That's slower that Canon USM. (In comparison, Canon uses micro motor focus drive in their cheapest, most entry-level lenses.... STM or "stepper motor" is a step up, faster and very smooth/quiet, ideal for video.... USM or "ultrasonic motor" is even faster, great for sports/action, quiet too, though not as quiet and smooth as STM.... "Nano USM" is the latest focus drive Canon has put in a few lenses, so far, which is both fast like USM and quiet/smooth like STM.)

Tokina uses a "focus clutch" mechanism. To switch between autofocus and manual focus you slide the focus ring slightly forward or backward. It's a neat setup, but different. More importantly, because the lenses are micro motor, the AF setting completely disengages the mechanism, so it's not possible to override AF while it's engaged... the focus ring will turn, but won't do anything. You have to switch to MF to be able to focus manually. This is different from Canon STM and USM drives, which allow "full time manual" focus, to override AF any time without concern. (Canon micro motor lenses need to be turned off at the switch before focusing them manually, to protect the mechanism from damage... same as the Tokina.)

See for yourself how they compare as far as image quality. You can compare test shots done with both lenses side-by-side - at various focal lengths, apertures and on different cameras - here: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=993&Camera=979&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=0&LensComp=787&CameraComp=979&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=4&APIComp=0

Also at that website you'll find how each lens performs with respect to flare, vignetting, distortion and more. (Note: just be sure to use same format & similar resolution cameras to make comparisons. I selected the ultra-high resolution 5DS at the above link, which is extremely demanding of lenses... a lot more-so than lower resolution cameras. And, of course, lenses will also show less "corner softness" when on a crop sensor camera, if that's how you'll be using it.)

Some of it comes down to personal preference. I know 24-70mm f/2.8 is very popular with wedding photographers, who will generally use it on a full frame camera. I'm not a wedding photographer, but occasionally do some portrait work... but I prefer this focal length range on a crop camera instead of full frame. I guess I just like a "slightly longer" lens for portraits.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Get the newer Tokina AT-X Pro 11-20mm f/2.8 DX instead... it's much improved over the earlier model- both are quite sharp at 11mm, the newer model is sharper in the corners at 16mm - and both are f/2.8 to help with a brighter viewfinder, shooting at night. Both are still available new.... the newer 11-20mm costs about $100 more but it solves some of the problems with the earlier model, with better focal length range and better resistance to flare. (I know several photogs who tried the 11-16mm but returned it due to excessive flare.... that might not be a problem for astrophotography, the 11-16mm has long been popular for that, but the potential for flare is not good for some other things.)

ggab Loc: ?

Unfortunately or fortunately you are going against the grain with your request. Most everyone here, I have seen, either are Camera MFG lens users (Canon, Nikon etc.) or Sigma/Tamron users or combinations thereof.
IMHO, The Tokina 24-70 is a diamond in the rough. A bit different in it's mechanics and not nearly advertised as much as the "Big 4". If I was using mine for action shots, I would be concerned with getting the fastest autofocus speed I can. Focus accuracy/constant aperture/and edge to edge IQ were the primary criteria for me. I looked at the choices based on those criteria, then looked at price. Based on my criteria, The Tokina 24-70 wins Hands Down with lenses with the zoom range of prox. 24-70mm. If you have similar criteria, you have my recommendation. BTW, I own Canon L, Canon non L, Sigma Art and Contemporary as well as older Sigma lenses, and Tamron lens.

When looking at image comparisons, I suggest looking at images taken with a camera similar to what you are shooting. I expect It will probably be 10 years before I shoot with a 50mp camera, so I compare with cameras that shoot in the mid 20mp range. I don't expect to be out of the 20mp range for quite some time.

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

Hmmm, some truly differences of opinion here! I think, for my purposes for this lens (mainly portraiture, grand kids, and general photos) this lens might be the fit I need. I think I am going to take the chance on it at $500 for the Refurb. If I don't like it, I can always sell it, for probably more, on Ebay.

I will be shooting on a Canon 6D Mark II and a Canon 5D Mark II, and it will probably be the lens left on one of these cameras most often. It will replace my current Tamron 28-75 f2.8 that I really do not like. I have other zoom lenses for all the other purposes, Tokina 16-28 f2.8 for landscapes and super wide angle work, Canon 70-200 f4 L IS for field work and my grand kids sporting events, and Tamron 28-300 f3.5-5.6 VC for one-lens travel. I also have primes (Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 85mm f1.8, and Sigma 105mm f2.8 for macro work), which I hardly ever use.

Thank you all for responding and helping me make the decision to go for this lens on a trial basis. As stated prior, I can always sell it if I feel it is not good enough to serve the purposes for which I intent to use it.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

I own the lens and have it on a Canon 5D Mark II 80% of the time. I highly recommend it. Tack sharp if you do your part. This lens is fairly large and heavy. It is built like a battleship. I use it for my walking around lens. The focus ring clutch mechanism that Tokina uses for manual focus takes a few days to get used to. I can see where some people may not like it as it is not normal. Mine does search for autofocus in low light at times compared to my 100-400 L lens. This may be a function of the lens or it may be the old nine point focus system of the 5D MkII. I don't know.
I got it on sale at B&H for $620 about 6 months ago. List is $950 B&H is $850 right now. This link shows some pics taken by various people with the lens

https://www.flickr.com/groups/tokina24-70/pool/with/27911836703/

Jim750 Loc: Easton,Pa

Hi MV
Based on the reviews and price point I would buy this lens in a heartbeat.If you are personally not satisfied,you have a return period.I have a Tokina 100 macro and I’m very satisfied. Good Luck and happy shooting.

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

Update:

I bought the refurbished 24-70 f2.8 directly from Tokina for $500. This lens is superb! Focus is quick, and IQ is right on the money. I have used it on my 6D Mark II for about 150 pictures of the grand kids with excellent results, and about 100 pictures walking around with my Canon 5D Mark II, also with stellar results. This lens will replace my Tamron 28-75 f2.8 as the main lens on my 6DII, so if anyone is interested, make me an offer.

Thank you everyone for your comments and recommendations, this seems thus far to be a great all-purpose lens.