* Fast AF
* Professional build quality
* Focus clutch makes manual focusing easy and gives a nice damped feel to it.
* Tripod mount
* Crinkle finish
* Sharp professional quality optics
* Price compared to Nikon's 80-200/2.8 or 70-200/2.8.
* 77mm filters which I can share with all three of my Tokina AT-X Pro (20-35/2.8 and 28-70/2.8) lenses.

***Get one now if you can, I contacted THK and this lens has been discontinued, to be replaced by the rumored 50-135/2.8 DX.

Absolutely none in my opinion.

Purchased this lens in LN- on eBay based on reviews here and at other web sites because everyone raved about it. Now that I own this lens I too am raving about this lens. It's a pure joy to use and offers everything one needs in a fast all purpose zoom unless of course you have to have AFS. My sample focuses very fast on my F100 and DSLR, the optics are very sharp even wide open although the image gets much sharper as you stop the lens down. Flare hasn't been a problem and using a circular polarizer is quite easy to use since the lens uses a lens hood that screws directly onto the lens or in the case of the cp it screws onto the filter. This lens is replacing my 15 year old Nikon 80-200/2.8 AF ED push-pull zoom. The image quailtyof the Tokina is every bit as good as my Nikon.

Customer Service

None needed on any lens I've ever owned. THK is quick to respond via email with the answers to any questions you might have.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon Nikkor 80-200/2.8 AF ED
Professional quality Nikon's and Tokina AT-X Pro lenses

Sharp, contrast, cheap, very solid built

AF speed

VERY GOOD performer. Sharp and contrasty slides at all focal lenghts (Velvia, Ektachrome E series). Best focal lenght: around 135mm. Little vignetting at f/2.8 at 200mm. AF is not as fast as his brothers (Tokina 28-70mm 2.6-2.8 or 20-35 f/3.5-4.5). The lens include a well built support for the tripod, and is very well built: solid and made to be used hardly. To do better I think you have to go to AF f/2.8 Nikkor lenses (in nikon AF).

Customer Service

not used

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor AIS 80-200 f/4 Nikkor AF 70-200 f/4

Sharpness, Build quality (like a tank), focusing speed, and weight distribution.

Loudness

This is suprisingly an excellent lens. It's very sharp and reliable. I use this lens on a minolta maxxum 9xi and it will track cars moving at 100mph plus and allow my camera to shoot at the full 5fps without any problems with focus. It's not a quiet lens but in my circumstances where I cannot hear squat because of crouds I simply don't care. It's obviously not going to be as quick as the new nikon and cannon silent lenses but i have compared it to a nikon 80-200/2.8 D silent wave lens on a nikon f100 body and haven't noticed a difference in focusing speed. I timed them both and it takes 2 seconds for the tokina and 1.9 seconds for the nikon lens to focus from minimum focus to infinity and back. In field test the nikon silent wave focuses consistently only about a tenth of a second faster 75% of the time, the rest of the time the nikon focuses a negligeble amount of time faster (<1/50th of a second.) However, I find that the tokina on my minolta will achieve a proper focus lock 70% of the time better than the nikon in standard light and under low light conditions my minolta/tokina combo is supremely better. However i cannot speak about other combos with this lens since i have not had the oppurtunity. In short, this lens is by no means less professional or "not as good as" manufacturer lens combo dealy's. i would have no hesitation recomending this lens to anyone. Unless you're in a field where absolute silence is a necessity. This lens is by no means quiet, but is also no means a dump truck. For 95% of the time in the wild this lens will not be too loud, but for serious wildlife shooters i would recomend the silent drives of nikon and canon, for the rest of you...just try this lens once and see if you like it is all i can say. I am very pleased with contrast and sharpness as well. Sharpness of this lens is very very good, and i find contrast to be very good. So happy shooting

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 80-200/2.8 d silent wave

Extremely good optics. Color, contrast and clarity. One of the best out there.

Weight. No internal focus.

Excellent value. Great optics. This lens is built to last and weighs as such. Does not have internal focusing but I don''t use many filters at this length. Clear and contrasty photos with excellent focus speed. Not as fast as others but pretty fast.

Customer Service

Excellent. Purchased a metal lens hood to replace the plastic one. Very attentive.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 80-200/f4, Tokina 28-70/f2.8

cheap prime lens quality Relative fast Accurate AF good construction

plastic hood

If you are looking for a second-hand 80-200/2.8. You can''t go wrong with it. I got it from a fellow photographer in mint condition. But if my budget allow me to buy a new one, I would probably go for the new Tokina ATX Pro or Nikon AF80-200/2.8 ED.

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon AF75-300mm f/4.5-f/5.6

Price; optics; quality of build; looks and feels nice in the hands

none yet but I will keep you posted

Was a little reluctant to buy this lens for my Canon EOS system since it has no HSM or high speed focus motor on lens and after using Canon lens you get a little spoiled. But at less than 1/2 the price I considered this one and the Sigma version. I have had very good sucess with both of those companies. It really was the reviews at this site that convinced me of this lens over the Sigma. And I am glad I listened [ or read ] these reviews as this lens is beautiful!!! Very nicely made and looks good too! The focus clutch that Tokina puts on their PRO lenses is really nice as rapid switch from auto focus to manual is only a click away. Also by not engaging the clutch while in auto focus allows the lens to focus faster and quieter.{ It is still no match to Canons lens in these areas }Some have complained about the screw on hood. But the way this lens is designed their really was no way to put a hood that just slides open in use like Tokina does with some of their lenses. A lens hood should be used at all times anyway. So once it''s on no further time is needed...Unless you must remove it for use with a polarizer lens. This is no big deal. Also some have complained about the tripod mount bracket. I''m not sure if Tokina has changed this since it''s earlier models but the one on my new lens is very sturdy as well as flush with the lens which makes hand holding of lens quite easy. Unless you have lots of money or must have a lens that is faster nad/or quieter I can''t see spending the extra for Canons lens. This lens is a deal!!!

Customer Service

none but wish their website provided more data on each product

Similar Products Used:

Canon 75-300 f4-5.6 HSM IS ; Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 apo macro; sigma 28-70 f 2.8-4; Tokina 19-35; Tokina 400 f 5.6 apo

_ FAST AND ACCURATE AF
_ AWESOME OPTICS
_ CRISP IMAGES EVEN @2.8

_TRIPOD MOUNT UNSTABLE

THIS IS MY FAVORITE LENS FOR ANY FAST MOVING/LOW LIGHT SITUATIONS. REMARKABLE PORTRAITS TOO. IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A PROFESSIONAL QUALITY LENS AT A FRACTION OF THE PRICE, TOKINA AF80-200 f/2.8 IS THE WAY TO GO.

Similar Products Used:

TOKINA MF80-200 f/2.8
NIKON AF80-200 f/2.8

If you are looking for a very fast f2.8 lens that has pro qualities and outstanding glass at a great price, you found what you are looking for.

I use this lens professionally for Portraiture, weddings and landscapes.

With the excellent lens construction I think it will last 20 years easily!!

Multicoated optics.

Pretty fast AF for such a large lens.

Atleast 300g lighter than the New Tokina ATX PRO and the Sigma EX 80-200 f2.8 lenses.

Don't really like the construction of the hood in plastic. It clips and fast and easy, but would prefer a metal hood.

The hood does an excellent job at blocking out flare.

Definately 5 stars, no question about it. You can pick them up at about $500 USD and they are a steal at that cost. So far the pictures I have taken with this lens are outstanding, my clients are very happy and that makes me very happy.

If you are in the market for a 80-200 f2.8 lens than you just cannot go wrong with this one. I think it is even better rated than the new Tokina ATX PRO version it replaced.

Happy shooting.

Mike LePard
www.members.home.net/frozenmoments
www.frozenmoments.20m.com

Customer Service

Never used.

Similar Products Used:

Phoenix 60-300 f4-5.6 AF

This is a darn sharp lens. The glass is excellent - no chromatic aberration visible on 8x11 blow-ups. Exceptional build quality. Well balanced tripod mount, which is small enough not to interfere with handheld work.

Rotating front element. Hood does not put the front cap on or rotate a polarizer.

One of the best lenses I have. I bought it used for less than $400, which beats any price. Someone has to work very hard to convince me that Minolta 80-200 f/2.8 gives better picture quality.

Customer Service

did not need

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 75-300 APO Macro
Minolta 85mm f/1.4 G
Minolta 80-200mm f/2.8 APO

Very good lens, durable made, "Armalite" finish is amazing, autofocus is quick. Sharpnes outstanding.

AF clutch sometimes hard to switch to MF.
Weight...

My favourite lens. I often take pictures of people on street and taking this sharp and fast lens on my Canon is "right stuff". Quality of picture and built is like "L" lenses, but much cheaper. Buy it!

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

Tokina 20-35/3.5 4.5
Canon 85/1,8