Outstanding build, feel. Compliments feel of F5, F100. Excellent sharpness, good range.

Like many others, focusing on f100 is a definite problem. Spent last night trying to figure out whether the problem was the lens or the camera (F100). Problem is the lens on the F100. When mounted on my F5, works very well with fast enough focus and little search. However F100 is another issue.

Great lens for anything other than F100. Pro quality at very reasonable price.

Customer Service

Haven't tried yet...but will.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 20-35 2.8 AF-D, Nikon 80-200 2.8 AF

Sexy lens
Strong build

See below

After longing for this lens since its debut, I finally decided to purchase. The initial reviews all indicated this was an exceptional lens. Too bad I didn't double check before purchasing. I too shoot a Nikon F100 and have found the same problem as everyone else. The lens seems to do well shooting at a distance, but it won't focus at close range. I found, as others did, that the 28-80 lens focuses in front of the subject at close range (at least when mounted to an F100). Aside from this major flaw, the lens seems to be great. Zooming and manual focusing are quite smooth. Images are sharp (when manually focused). The build is typical Tokina Pro quality. Tokina, if you read these posts, stop screwing around and fix your problems with this lens...unless you like losing money. My lens is shipping back to B&H tomorrow!

Customer Service

Haven't dealt with Tokina customer service, but B&H has been very helpful so far.

Similar Products Used:

Tokina 20-35 f2.8 Pro (great lens!)

Tokina has introduced what I think is the best (3rd party) substitute for the Nikon 28-70 f2.8 D lens. It focuses fast on the F80. The build quality is solid and the pictures great! Note you need to keep your lens hood on. Another thing, if you own a Nikon 80-200 f2.8ED, then you appreciate that the Tokina share the same filter size (77mm).

None I can say for now. You'ld expect the weight to be what it is considering that it's a f2.8.

Highly recommended lens (only if you are not using a F100 or plan to upgrade to one)... I can only hope that the lens will stay compatible to future Nikon bodies (that's a risk, eh?)... The Tokina ATX build and the sharpness of the pcitures is truly impressive.

Customer Service

Have no experience.. yet

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 28-105mm,
Nikon 24-120mm

Very good build. "Substantial" feel and convenient to use due to wide focus and zoom ring. Excelent optical quality at wide end/mid range (very small distortion, very sharp images).Manual focus setting by pulling the focus ring. Constant aperture f/2.8.

Poor quality control process. My lens didn't autofocus at all. Had to return it. Optical quality at tele range (soft images, noticeable pincushion distortion) - wouldn't probably hurt me much since the range I mostly use is from 28 to 50-60.

I am really disappointed by the lens's failure. I really wanted to own this lens (primarily due to its build, nice optics and price competitiveness comparing to Nikkor AFS 28-70). I am returning it and will probably wait until they fix the compatibility problem with F100 before I purchase another one.

Customer Service

Quite nice. They confirmed that there may be a problem with the lens on Nikon F100, they are right now investigating the issue. May take them up to 2-3 months to conclude on this problem.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon AFS 28-70
Sigma 28-70 EX
Tamron 24-70

Solid, smooth focus, very bright, great range

none

Shooting on a F5 so I don't have any autofocus issues. Very smooth action and a great feel. Really is hard to find anything out there which can compete with it in the focal range with the build quality at this price point

Customer Service

Was great when I called for the rebate info

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 35-70 2.8
You name it I have tried it

Sharp optics! Pro design, focusing ring, M/A switch, lens shade.

None

I was ready to spend lots of money on a lens just to get pro images, but if I can save money and still get a pro lens why not. I was having second thought on the 280pro, so I read a lot of reviews and asked around before I got this lens. I am so glad now that I did and saved so much money. This lens in so wonderful, everytime I get my pictures from the lab, It always makes me smile to see how great my pictures come out. I would totaly recommend this lens to anybody who's in a budget.

Customer Service

Hoping that I will never have to use it, but if I do I will let you know.

Similar Products Used:

None

Fast focusing. Build quality is excellent. Great price compared to Nikon's comparable.

Can't find any.

I own a Nikon F100 and it works great at all distances at every zoom picked. Believe me, I am VERY picky about focus and this baby is as good as it gets. If there was any hint if it having a focusing problem it would have been sent back. Tokina has done it right this time (as well as others) and deserves major recognition for a job well done. For those that insist on slamming this great product with regards to the F100 compatibilty issue note that ALL lenses are not perfect and there are several variables that contribute to the ability of a lens to focus well: color contrast of the subject and availability of light. When these two factors are not right its time to switch the lens to manual...Nikon lenses included. Enough said.

Customer Service

Awesome service. I've used them many times and was always pleased.

Similar Products Used:

Tokina 80-200 2.8
Nikon 80-200 2.8
Tamron 28-200

Build quality, feel, price

Has serious quality control and compatibility problems. Tried two copies of this lens on my EOS 3. The first wouldn't autofocus properly, especially in somewhat dim conditions. The second focuses short of the intended target (just like the F100 problem others are complaining about).

This lens is simply not on par with the OEM lenses. I'm buying the Canon 28-70 2.8. Lots of extra bucks, but it's worth it. Plain and simple, folks -- if you want the best, you have to buy the best. There is no perfect substitute for the Canon's products, and there's a legitimate reason why the Canon gear is more expensive -- IT'S BETTER!!

Customer Service

Completely unhelpful

Similar Products Used:

Canon 28-105, 28-135, 28-702.8

Full range of Nikon gear

Very fast focusing (the torque is so strong you can feel the lens twist in your hand when it focuses). Focus ring and zoom ring are perfectly dampened. Shares 77mm filter with its perfect partner, the 70-200 2.8. Very sharp below 4.0 aperture. Great colour reproduction.

I think the 2.8 aperture isnt the sharpest but I haven't tested it thoroughly...its merely an observation from some of the shots I have taken. I must test it so I know how my gear can perform.

I wish the reviews for this lens would focus on something other than the problems with the F100. It works fine (actually GREAT!) with the Canon EOS 50 that I use and has given me some very fine photos. It produces sharp results and is very well built. We all know about the F100 so please can we move on and talk about this lenses many strengths

Similar Products Used:

Canon 28-80 3.5-5.6
Canon 35-80 3.5-5.6

1) Nice build
2) Good mix of features
3) Good AF perf/interaction
4) Price
5) Optics

1) Min aperture lock ring doesn't stay locked
2) Apparent QC problems with Tokina and this lens concern me

At least for me this lens is dynamite. It focuses fast and accurate, takes sharp clear images, and is built like a tank. Can't ask for more. I've heard enough to believe that Tokina has a QC problem or let a bad batch out. Perhaps that's because it's relatively new. I can't address others' experiences and hope that the tempers and flames can die down. Some of us appear to have had really good luck with the lens and others not. Again, that just informs me that Tokina has a QC problem that I hope they address, so that others might have experiences like mine. Five stars for value, optics, and build; four stars overall because of the min aperture lock ring issue

Customer Service

No need to use them, but a phone call to Tokina was returned within two days and they were willing to hear out my suggestions and nits

Similar Products Used:

Innumerable lenses in the shop and etc, a half dozen or so in the field, extensive comparison to the Nikkor 80-200 f2.8 ED AF, etc