Canon 28-70 f2.8L v Tokina ATXPRO 28-80 f2.8

[Minority]

Hi

I am considering purchasing a 28-70/80 f2.8 lens and I have narrow down my choice to either a canon 28-70 f2.8 or a Tokina 28-80 f2.8 Canon Mount. I am using A EOS 3 and I have heard that the Tokina has some problems with it. But there are also reviews that said its been resolved. Is the Tokina quality almost the same as the Canon? Coz the the main stumbling factor I have deciding to buy a Canon is the justification of its cost. Is it worth so much premium?


Anyone has any advice to share?

[erwinx]

The Tokina quality almost the same as Canon? Yeah, that must be right.

Maybe you want to look at the other thread entitled 70-200 f/2.8 USM where they discuss the 70-200f2.8 IS USM vs the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX HSM. Just change 'Sigma' to 'Tokina' and '70-200' to '28-80'

Quote: Originally posted by Minority Hi I am considering purchasing a 28-70/80 f2.8 lens and I have narrow down my choice to either a canon 28-70 f2.8 or a Tokina 28-80 f2.8 Canon Mount. I am using A EOS 3 and I have heard that the Tokina has some problems with it. But there are also reviews that said its been resolved. Is the Tokina quality almost the same as the Canon? Coz the the main stumbling factor I have deciding to buy a Canon is the justification of its cost. Is it worth so much premium? Anyone has any advice to share?

I own the 28-70L. I tried the tokina 28-80 at alan photo before I finally decide on the Canon. At f2.8, the Canon wins hands down. Tokina is no fight for the canon at f2.8. Other apertures, I did not test, because lenses are at their peak when stopped down.

Autofocus of tokina is very fast, but canon is even faster. Both are quiet in their autofocus. The tokina feels like quality lens, but the canon feels like plastic.

Does my info help?

[Minority]

Quote: Originally posted by Loke I own the 28-70L. I tried the tokina 28-80 at alan photo before I finally decide on the Canon. At f2.8, the Canon wins hands down. Tokina is no fight for the canon at f2.8. Other apertures, I did not test, because lenses are at their peak when stopped down. Autofocus of tokina is very fast, but canon is even faster. Both are quiet in their autofocus. The tokina feels like quality lens, but the canon feels like plastic. Does my info help?

Yeah So far this is what I have heard. I have have handle both but did not have the chance to shoot them. To the naked the Tokina feels really solid. Actually I was gonna purchase one but unfortunalty the piece I was looking at was flawed. I understand from the owner was that the Tokina is soft at f2.8 through out the length. the safest was to shoot from at least a f4 and above. Beyond f5.6 optically is was really sharp comparable with the Canon. But they major stumbling block for the Canon is the price.

[rueyloon]

if you have the money and know what you want to spend on... that's the end of the story...

else ask yourself these few questions

1) how often will you blow up your pics ?
2) how big will the pictures be blown up to ?
3) will that slight improvement in sharpness "make or break" your picture ?
4) what's the bottleneck in your photography ? lens sharpness ? or other factors ?

[Kit]

I used to use Canon and have owned the 28-70 for a period of time. My observations is the corner sharpness of the Canon at wide open isn't really what I would call good. Also the contrast and colour saturation seem to degrade at wide open at the corners too. Stop down to f4 and things start to improve, dramatically I would say. I usually use this lens at f8 and am very happy with the results. Good sharpness, contrast and colour.

The built isn't that fantastic but its still more than adequate for me. Why they wouldn't build this lens like the old 20-35 L or the new 16-35 L is beyond me. Its still plenty good.

Not to de-track this conversation but if you're looking for good performance lenses and living on a budget, consider primes. Canon make some good ones.

[Minority]

Quote: Originally posted by rueyloon if you have the money and know what you want to spend on... that's the end of the story... else ask yourself these few questions 1) how often will you blow up your pics ? 2) how big will the pictures be blown up to ? 3) will that slight improvement in sharpness "make or break" your picture ? 4) what's the bottleneck in your photography ? lens sharpness ? or other factors ?

Good questions. I have been asking myself those questions. Thus I was almost on the verge of getting a 2nd hand Tokina. But it has dirt in the lens so I passed on it. Anyway not to side track I find the make of the tokina some what plasticaly.... but the general feel was solid.

[Minority]

Quote: Originally posted by Kit I used to use Canon and have owned the 28-70 for a period of time. My observations is the corner sharpness of the Canon at wide open isn't really what I would call good. Also the contrast and colour saturation seem to degrade at wide open at the corners too. Stop down to f4 and things start to improve, dramatically I would say. I usually use this lens at f8 and am very happy with the results. Good sharpness, contrast and colour. The built isn't that fantastic but its still more than adequate for me. Why they wouldn't build this lens like the old 20-35 L or the new 16-35 L is beyond me. Its still plenty good. Not to de-track this conversation but if you're looking for good performance lenses and living on a budget, consider primes. Canon make some good ones.

Yeah I did considered prime and have a 2 piece 50 f1.4 and 100f2.8 Macro. As I sometime travel carrying prime lens is a hassle and changing lens in between is a hassle unless I am on a photo trip.

btw. I have an offer for a 3 yr old Mint Canon for $1400. In your opnion do you think its worth it?

[Kit]

Quote: Originally posted by Minority btw. I have an offer for a 3 yr old Mint Canon for $1400. In your opnion do you think its worth it?

Do you mean the 28-70L? I would say its quite a good price especially if its mint. I sold mine for more than that.

[Minority]

Quote: Originally posted by Kit Do you mean the 28-70L? I would say its quite a good price especially if its mint. I sold mine for more than that.

Yeah... I guess. I might as well get the L lens... btw a parallel import 28-70L is $1740.