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Confused by possibly different versions of the Tokina 100mm Atx

Started Jan 16, 2022 | Questions thread
iso rivolta Senior Member • Posts: 1,023
Re: Confused by possibly different versions of the Tokina 100mm Atx

Be careful here. AT-X is a generic naming for Tokina high end lenses, meaning "Advanced Technology-X". The classic and very good manual focus Tokina 90mm f2.5 macro ("Bokina") from the '80s (based on the Vivitar Series 1 90mm f2.5) is also an AT-X lens.

Now, on the Tokina AT-X 100mm macro AF.

The lens that is somewhat common on ebay from Japan is the older (manufactured from 1992) Tokina AT-X AF 100mm F2.8 Macro Internal Focus, with 11 elements in 10 groups. It keeps a constant length (internal focus) and has a maximum magnification of only 1:2. This lens is very uncommon outside Japan and few people, if any, have tested it objectively. I believe it was some kind of a failure. https://lens-db.com/tokina-at-x-macro-m100-af-100mm-f28-if-1992/

A few samples here: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4384330

And an interesting read: https://tokinalens.com/reviews/product_manager_s_diary_part_5/

Later on (2005), when Pentax started collaborating with Tokina, it seems that Pentax licensed the formula of the F/ FA / D-FA 100mm F2.8 macro (the original dating from 1987) with 9 elements in 8 groups that is an extending lens and goes to 1:1 magnification. This is the Tokina AT-X M100 PRO D Macro. https://lens-db.com/tokina-at-x-pro-macro-m100-af-100mm-f28-d-2005/

The same optical formula (9 elements in 8 groups) was kept for the newer incarnations of the Tokina 100mm macro (like the ATX-I and the FiRIN for Sony E mount).

Both the Pentax and the Tokina 1:1 suffer from purple fringing. You may find probably better macro lenses around 100mm. I would recommend Tamron 90mm, which also has many versions. Take a look for example at Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 SP Di macro or newer. Best of luck!

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