Tokina 35-70mm f/2.8 AT-X. If you’re looking to purchase this lens I always check Adorama and Ebay for good deals. It helps me if you purchase it through one of these links here in this review. When you purchase through these links it financially enables me to devote time to develop this site further. Thanks for the help! -Todd

Barrel
Metal.

Weight
18.0 oz (511g).

Focus Type
Manual Focus.

Focus Ring
Rubber on Metal.

Close Focus
2 feet (0.6 meters).

Filter Threads
62mm, Metal.

Aperture Ring
Metal.

Diaphragm
9 blades stopping down to f/32.

Mount
Mine came in Nikon F Metal Mount.

Made in
Japan.

 

 

 

 

Sharpness

35mm:
f/2.8: A little soft with some coma chromatic aberration reducing some contrast and pretty soft in the corners.
f/3.5: Sharpens up nicely with great contrast and a little soft in the corners.
f/4: Sharper all over with great contrast.
f/8: Sharp all over with great contrast.

50mm:
f/2.8: A little soft with some chromatic aberration reducing some contrast and pretty soft in the corners.
f/3.5: Sharpens up nicely with great contrast and a little soft in the corners.
f/4: Sharper all over with great contrast.
f/8: Sharp all over with great contrast.

70mm:
f/2.8: Pretty soft with lots of chromatic aberration reducing contrast and pretty soft in the corners.
f/3.5: Still pretty soft with lots of chromatic aberration reducing contrast.
f/4: Sharper all over with great contrast.
f/8: Sharp all over with great contrast.

Vignetting

35mm: A little bit of vignetting at f/2.8 which quickly reduces at f/3.5 and almost gone by f/4.
50mm: A little bit of vignetting at f/2.8 and almost gone by f/3.5.
70mm: A little bit of vignetting at f/2.8 which is basically gone by f/3.5.

Distortion
35mm: A bit of barrel distortion.
50mm: Very small amount of pincushion distortion.
70mm: A little bit more pincushion distortion but not too bad.

Recommendations

On MF Camera
Optics:         ★ ★ ★
Mechanics:  ★ ★ ★ ★
Ergonomics: ★ ★ ★ ★
Usefulness:  ★ ★ ★ ★
Availability:   ★ ★
Overall:         ★ ★ ★ ★

On AF Camera
Ergonomics: ★ ★ ★
Overall:         ★ ★ ★
Out of 5

This is a great lens and a bargain of a price at most places. I prefer a wider lenses or longer focal lengths and don’t really use mid range zooms much but this is a fantastic lens for mid range use.

Mechanically this lens is a all metal well built heavy but not too small f/2.8 zoom. Older copies will wobble over time in the zoom and focus area but this doesn’t effect anything. Also the grip can get a little stretched out.

Optically this lens is great even wide open but as you zoom to 70mm there can be a fair bit of spherical aberration wide open but just stopping the lens down to f/4 immediately sharpens up fast.

This lens is definitely worth looking for if you have use for a decent f/2.8 mid range zoom.

 

Did this review help?
My hopes are to take the time to continue developing this website with more test photo based reviews. If you are ever interested in purchasing this lens or other photography equipment please do so through these links here in this review. I always check Adorama and Ebay for good deals. This helps support my family and allows me to take more time for the site. The best part is this site is free for you and I link good deals I find!

Sometimes these links will actually give you better deals then typical retail prices! I personally buy from the links I have listed whether looking for new gear or fun old stuff. I can personally attest to their good & safe service from years of experience. Thanks again to you, our readers, for supporting us! -Todd