Much faster focussing then the Fujifilm 56mm 1.2 R

gohunter wrote:

NO! It is not a rebranded Viltrox. Tokina have been making lenses for around 70 years.

Tokina 56mm f1.4 internal design

Viltrox 56mm f1.4 internal design

kamerakiri wrote:

I'm glad the Tokina found a nice home. As I complained in another thread, I simply don't understand why Fuji does not have an affordable fast fifty, which is the cheapest optical formula to make.

There's

XF 50mm f2 at $500 or above(outside US) - boring and very expensive

XF 56mm f1.2 - can't focus properly in video. Hunts like crazy

XF 50mm 1.0 - super expensive, super impractical, cannot focus properly in video at wider apertures, too heavy, too niche

I just wish when Sigma comes to Fuji, they bring their excellent, superb, marvellous 56mm 1.4 at $400. See its towering status above all - all APS-C lenses. Made in the entire history of APS-C format. From Sonyalphablog:

I'll just buy it and forget about any 50mm lens from Fuji.

Don't forget about the Viltrox 56. It's cheaper than the Sigma and is very sharp with fairly soft bokeh. Focuses well, and it's small and light. My only issue is, i don't mind extra weight and i also have the f/1 so the Viltrox doesn't really get used.

andrei1989 wrote:

And? Since when does that matter? Look at the lens construction for both lenses and then find a proper argument for these being different

Lol it matters when the argument people try to make is that tokina is just a rebrand of viltrox.

Thats not how things work.

andrei1989 wrote:

please do tell how "things work"

simply saying "that's not how things work" is not an argument. the only argument, which contradicts you, is the lens construction already posted above which is identical. tokina is a rebranded viltrox lens

Pretty sure this similar line of discussion conversation is playing out in the Nikon Z forums as well (Nikon 28-75 2.8 vs Tamron 28-75 G1).

gohunter wrote:

Yes, I did consider the Viltrox, but as I had good experience with Tokina previously, I chose that manufacturer. BTW a lot of people seem to think that the Tokina is just a rebranded Viltrox. IT IS NOT! If you look at the construction of both lenses, even the outer casings are different, so it's not just a rebranding exercise. Tokina have been making lenses for around 70 years. Have a look at tokinalens.com for their range and history.

I do know Tokina very well, and into the past years, they haven't made any big things, but being always considered a cheap 3rd party - but they do have experience with SD glass, since the 80s. Think their cheap SZ-X 28-70 Series - all plasticky, but lovely colors, and good at F8! Tokina was into some 20-30 years well known for their ATX Series of the Angeneux Clone of the 28-70 Zoom, a focal length famous since the late 80s, early 90s...they had various 28-70/2.6-2.8 or 28-70/2.8 Zooms, more than 2-3 iterations, but compared to Nikon 28-70/2.8 and Canon Zooms, images have been softer at F2.8, and beyond.

Tokina had the ATX 35-70/2.8 back into the day - but it was nothing, compared to Nikon Nikkor, and also the Minolta MD 35-70/3.5 albeit not F2.8, was much the better lens.

Into the past ~10 years, Tokina earned much respect for their AT-X Pro 24-70/2.8 Canikon Zoom, it was a very clunky, loud AF Zoom Lens, with focus clutch (like XF 23/1.4 R Prime from Fujifilm) but very good IQ.

Tokina is 2022 still not up to the levels of the other 3rd parties - means especially Sigma and Tamron, which upped much the game, Sigma since 2012 with their ART Series created, started with the 35/1.4 Canikon Lens gained much reputation.

Tamron had their SP Line of Lenses already long ago, and their Adapt All(2) Systems, so the user could exchange various bajonet mounts very easily, without buying a new lens, but technically only the adapter part.

Well, at least Tokina is still around nowadays - and things are getting better. Competition is always good, to push other brands.

It's great, to have (Lens) choices.

andrei1989 wrote:

Raymond L wrote:

andrei1989 wrote:

please do tell how "things work"

simply saying "that's not how things work" is not an argument. the only argument, which contradicts you, is the lens construction already posted above which is identical. tokina is a rebranded viltrox lens

Pretty sure this similar line of discussion conversation is playing out in the Nikon Z forums as well (Nikon 28-75 2.8 vs Tamron 28-75 G1).

and what's the consensus there? i don't follow nikon at all...

i'm not saying rebranding a lens is bad, especially in the current market shrinkage situation...but the argument that tokina can't be a rebranded viltrox because they're older and japanese not chinese makes absolutely no sense, especially since tokina hasn't really come up with anything new in the mirrorless age

Edit: my bad, they did make the FIRIN lenses for sony E

This also happened with Pentax DSLR lenses, where they were “similar” to Tamron lenses (24-70, 15-30).

Re: “rebranded” lenses. Again, I don’t think it’s bad like you have stated it really provides more choice. There is more of a lens than the optical design… AF/Lens coating/Firmware support/Weather sealing/Barrel construction/Level of QA

Re: Nikon. I suspect Nikon purchased the optical design from tamron. But they would have probably tweaked the “other factors” - coatings, AF motor, weather resistance, external design. The real bit that has annoyed some audiences, is the “TAX” that nikon has added, in addition to it being the older design.

I do feel sorry for the OP…the OP has posted a review (including pictures), really enjoy reading these kind of reviewers….Then got dragged into a discussion of Tokina 56mm 1.4 == Viltrox 56mm 1.4 … and calling it a rebrand maybe technically correct, but no one has opened the two lenses to review if they were made from the same factory (AF motor, external construction, coating, QA etc) … I rather call it… identical optical design

Also. If you are wondering… why buy an optical design ?

I recently watched this video from sigma, they provided insight into the types of challenges the engineers had to face when developing a modern lens!

https://youtu.be/nSiRhlH8Twc (skip to 20 mins) worth the watch.

Thank you Raymond L. Yes, I posted a review and others have dragged it down into an argument about Viltrox vs Tokina, etc. Obviously they spend too much time posting arguments here instead of being out there taking photos! Oh well, everyone to their own!

Charris (Harry),  My drinking buddy on Crete. Such a lovely guy. Viltrox 56mm 1.4 at f1.6 on a Fujifilm X-T1. Straight out of camera jpg.