Tokina ATX 2,8/100 Pro D Macro AF - Anyone???

Englischdude

Senior Member
Anyone using this lens? Looking for a budget entrance to macro with a lens which could eventually double as a good portrait lens.

Thanks
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
Anyone using this lens? Looking for a budget entrance to macro with a lens which could eventually double as a good portrait lens.

Thanks

I bought my 105VR about 3 months ago. I did tons of research for a 105 lens. close focusing was a big concern. I wanted a 105 macro lens for regular portraits, buit also to get very close as well and do ring shots for weddings if I need to. but basically, I liked the macros as the minimum focus was minimal.

first, the DC f/2 lens was out. price was and versatility wise. the Tamron was out. 90mm is not enough and I have an 85mm 1.8D. the sigma is not as sharp and contrasty (for my taste)till around 3.5. it was down to 3. the 105VR, the 105 AFD, and the Tokina 100 2.8. I didnt think id be able to buy the 105VR, which would be my ultimate lens. so i was looking at the 105 AFD and the Tokina. both are FANTASTIC LENSES. I was looking to get a good price for either of these. at the end, I found a used 105VR at a nice price with warranty on it and got that. the VR is very useful and the bokeh is killer. between the Tokina and the 105 AFD, I was very leaning towards the Tokina. IQ is a bit better, and nicer rounded aperture blades offer nicer bokeh. very fast AF as well. and built like a tank. so bottom line. any of the 3 I noted are stellar, you might consider the tamron and the sigma as well.

some like rockwells reviews, some dont. personally, from a technical POV, hes very accurate on what he says, photography and art wise, hes a wreck. not a gram of art flows through his body. but technically he is always spot on. read his review of the tokina. cheers.
 

DraganDL

Senior Member
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singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
I've had it for a few years and like it.Most of my use is manual macro, including some hand held. You don't get VR, but for half the price of the Nikon, I don't think you sacrifice IQ or build quality (BQ?). Here's a crop from a shot in early 2013 on my D7000.

water droplets-213.jpg

And here's one SOOC from the D600...a rare non macro shot.

JFS_5536.jpg
 

Tyler

Senior Member
All the photos I've seen from is lens are VERY sharp. I forgot all about that lens now it has me thinking about getting it.
 

Englischdude

Senior Member
wow, these images look razor sharp. I am really wracking my brains at the moment, I have also noticed the Tamron 90mm with VC for a similar price as the tokina. Now comes the torture of choosing. Is there anyone who has had or at least handled both these lenses who could give some feedback?
 

DraganDL

Senior Member
No need to worry, whichever you choose - just consult your wallet: if you have enough money to invest, go for a Nikon 105mm VR micro. If it's too expensive, buy Tamron VR. If it is all about the smallest possible amount, go for a Tamron SP Di (without VC - that's how tamron calls "VR").
 
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Englischdude

Senior Member
No need to worry, whichever you choose - just consult your wallet: if you have enough money to invest, go for a Tamron VR. If it is all about the smallest possible amount, go for a non-VC Tamron (that's how tamron calls "VR").

assuming money is not the deciding factor, they both have there strong points. The tokina seems to have outstanding build quality, a tank which will probably outlast me! Just how important are the bells and whistles of the tamron in the real world? The main use for me would be an intro for my wife into macro, she loves to take pics of flowers and berries and things when we are out, and I love to take portraits, mainly children. So, two birds with one stone so to speak.
 

Englischdude

Senior Member
so, after alot of research, and I emphasize ALOT, I have ordered the SIGMA 105 HSM OS lens macro. This has great reviews all over the net, the only weakness I can seem to find for this lens is people complaining about the loud OS, but I am used to D lenses and their loud focus anyway so this should not be an issue. The 85mm 1.8D has arrived today which is wonderful for portraits on my d7000, if the SIGMA performs just as well for portraits as well as macro (feedback appreciated), I will probably return the 85mm.
 

DraganDL

Senior Member
I don't know about Sigma - there were some reviews stating that, compared to Canon's 100mm macro and Tamron's 90mm (no optical stabil.) Sigma turned out to be the least sharp across the frame at all apertures, Canon was the sharpest and Tamron placed itself in the "golden middle". But, the differences are small... As for the Nikkor 85mm, I suggest you keep it - it is RAZOR-sharp, and is a bit "faster'' than Sigma (1.8 vs 2.8)...
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
Ha, now the next consideration. If i keep them both why not send them both back and get the nikkor 105 vr..... adds up to the same price :cool:

Between the two sharpest contenders (tamron/tokina) you went with the least of the three haha. wow you changed your mind quick. for the price difference I would have gone Nikon 105VR and be done with it.
If I didnt find the money for the 105VR I would have gone for the Tokina. and if I didnt get an 85 1.8D then I would have gone tamron.
 

Englischdude

Senior Member
well the SIGMA 105 macro with OS has arrived. The first impressions are extremely positive. The build seems to be very robust, OS works very well and also give the option for vertical stabilisation only to allow for panning, my only gripe is the OS is very loud. When starting and stopping it makes like a sawing/grinding sound. Have searched on the web and this seems to be normal. If I can live with it I dont know. Just went on a walk around the apartment looking for small things to photograph (could'nt believe how difficult it was to find small things to snap pics of when Im not used to macro :), here a few sample pics as jpeg straight out the D7000. Will mull it over for a few days, the showstopper will be the loud OS if I cant get used to it.

17360853sm.jpg










17360885zu.jpg

17360879el.jpg
 

DraganDL

Senior Member
:)Even the grand piano (concert piano, like Steinway etc.) is an object suitable for macro photographing. - it's just a matter of composition - wherever you turn, there are "objects" full of interesting details, small areas which can be considered "object within the objects", so to speak... Try to take the photo of the keyboard, from the first key to the last, in a row (as if you would snap a highway or railroad tracks "running away from you and getting lost beyond the horizon"), with differently set DOF and other elements...
 
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Englischdude

Senior Member
the SIGMA is packed up and will be sent back to amazon. First of all because of the weight, which is a considerable factor when attached to my magnesium body D7K, especially when going on walks in the mountains here, but the real KO factor is the OS. It is very loud during operation which is totally annoying. Have weighed up the pros and cons between tamron 90 and tokina, for the same money I get VC and all the latest technology if I go for the tamron.
 

Geoffc

Senior Member
Having posted on Nikonites the other day that there is nothing that I want or need at the moment I'm now after a macro. It's been an itch for a while so it needs scratching and I've just received £260 of Nikon cashback that needs spending.

My wife already has the original non VC version of the Tamron which is very good, so much so that the easy option would have been to just get the VC version, however two things are leaning me towards the Nikon. Firstly I want to use it on the D800 rather than DX body so the extra reach is a consideration. Secondly I have the TC-20e III teleconvertor. I can currently only use it on my 70-200 lens so this would make me feel that it does more than one job.

I would also like to think the lens would be useful for portraiture. I actually think the Tamron has the edge here.

If I buy new the Nikon is £230 more than the Tamron and if I buy a mint used one I can get it for about £90 more than the Tamron. Oh decisions!!
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
Having posted on Nikonites the other day that there is nothing that I want or need at the moment I'm now after a macro. It's been an itch for a while so it needs scratching and I've just received £260 of Nikon cashback that needs spending.

My wife already has the original non VC version of the Tamron which is very good, so much so that the easy option would have been to just get the VC version, however two things are leaning me towards the Nikon. Firstly I want to use it on the D800 rather than DX body so the extra reach is a consideration. Secondly I have the TC-20e III teleconvertor. I can currently only use it on my 70-200 lens so this would make me feel that it does more than one job.

I would also like to think the lens would be useful for portraiture. I actually think the Tamron has the edge here.

If I buy new the Nikon is £230 more than the Tamron and if I buy a mint used one I can get it for about £90 more than the Tamron. Oh decisions!!

Nikon on sale for $800 and $750 for the tamron. Nikon holds resale value better. why the hesitation?
 
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