Tokina 80-400

[Blue Guitarist]

When I searched this dpreview for the Tokina 80-400 lens with a nikon mount, all of the threads were really old. I'm not ready to buy yet, but I'm curious about the Tokina 80-400/4.5-5.6 AT-X 840 D for Nikon D.

Will that lens mount on a D90? Does anyone have any experience with this lens or thoughts to offer?

FWIW, I already posted this in the D90 forum and have heard nothing but crickets so I came over here to the more lens specific forum.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Yes, the Tokina 80-400/4.5-5.6 AT-X 840 D will mount, focus and meter on your D90.

What is a total X factor is the performance of the lens. I looked into it in the past and reviews seem far and in-between. No extensive pro or measurement reviews, mostly just quick blurbs by random users and most of those are old.

What does seem to come up as a common set of comments about the lens is: It is heavy and built like a tank (typical Tokina build quality), AF hunts in low light and is generally pretty slow, the lens may be soft at 400mm, but, how soft is up for debate. The other problem, is there are two versions and some users do not differentiate as to which version they are using in their reviews, the D or non-D version. My understanding is the newer D version multi-coatings that should help with flare and internal reflections. So who knows...

Really I just couldn't find enough of a reliable opinion base on this lens and since none of my local shops carried copies, I was unwilling to play the on-line order roulette game. I wish more info was available on it. I have been very happy with my other Tokina lenses, the 11-16 and 50-135.

When I searched this dpreview for the Tokina 80-400 lens with a nikon mount, all of the threads were really old. I'm not ready to buy yet, but I'm curious about the Tokina 80-400/4.5-5.6 AT-X 840 D for Nikon D.

Will that lens mount on a D90? Does anyone have any experience with this lens or thoughts to offer?

FWIW, I already posted this in the D90 forum and have heard nothing but crickets so I came over here to the more lens specific forum.

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Aaron Killen

 

[ABA DABA]

Might look at the Tamron 200-400, not too shabby.
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ABA DABA

 

[spectra]

I have the "D" version of this lens and have used it on a D90.... it produced pretty good photos but nothing extraordinary....at the extreme 400mm setting it isnt too bad in sharpness but colour and contrast did take a hit at this focal length.

Between 80-350mm it has fine IQ if you stop it down to f8.....I am going to sell this lens and my Sigma 150mm Macro and replace both lenses with a Nikkor 300mm AF-S and Macro Nikkor 200mm f4 some stage down the track.....the Sigma macro is SUPERB but it lacks an aperture ring and I am getting rid of all my "G" lenses for this very reason (except my 28-200g as its my favourite walkabout lens).

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Spectras Photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/spectrapix/sets/72157594150842281/detail/?page=1

 

[bjn70]

I've searched for info. on this lens too. I think the biggest clue is the price of the lens on the used market. What that tells me is that it is just an ordinary lens, nothing special.

Similarly, Tokina makes a 100-300 f4, but it is apparently not equal to the Sigma 100-300 f4.

 

[Ringwraith69]

There are three different versions of Tokina's 80-400mm. lens. The first one is very usable but nothing really special optically, and does without a tripod collar. It is light and small enough to use handhold.

The second one is the same lens as the first model, just with a tripod collar added.

The third one has better optics, better build quality and again features a tripod collar. If you do decide to go for the Tokina (and it's certainly worth it's money, let's be clear about that), this third version is the one to choose.

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'We are only immortal for a limited time'

 

[Blue Guitarist]

Thanks for all of the feedback. Given the bit's of information I've found elsewhere and the comments here, it sounds like this (the third version) is a lens worth keeping on my short watch list for an acquistion next year.

I enjoy nature photography, but I don't see me spendiing $1000 to $2000 for a lens. VR doesn't matter too much to me since I have shaky hands and will be using a tripod anyway.

Thanks again for the comments.