Nikon vs Tokina

ak6110 · 2nd February 2005

Hi guys,

I wanted to get a telephoto lens for some wildlife shooting, but still having some problem deciding which brand of LEN to get.

I have narrow down to two brands, as indicate above, the model are:

1. Tokina 80-200mm f/2.8 AT-X AF Pro
2. Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

As a budget constrain, I cannot afford very expensive lens.

Heard from CP that the quality wise is about the same but the price is a big difference.

Do give me any feedback, comments, pro/con on these products. If you think that other brands are better do let me know.

Thanks in advance for any comments or feedback.
AK

Astroboy3177 · 2nd February 2005

mind to state the price ?
thanks....

user111 · 2nd February 2005

your best bet is nikkor 2-touch used. people typically sell it for 1200 SGD

nemesis32 · 2nd February 2005

nikon is abt 1600-1700 new whereas tokina is abt 900-1000 new.

I owned the tokina one and IMHO, it's damn good but slightly lighter, less sharp and slower focusing. For almost 1/2 the price, You can consider it a bargain.

That said, i may decide to upgrade to the nikon 80-200 or the AFS 80-200/70-200 if i have the money!

ak6110 · 4th February 2005

Guys, thanks for all the advice.... but as Nikon lens is much better and cost a lot more, I will just stick to a low budget lens until i have the extra cash.

sam_always · 4th February 2005

i secondhand good Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED is around $1000 - $1200. you should consider that. furthermore nikkor lenses have better resell value.

jamestan · 5th February 2005

If you shoot fast-moving wildlife, eg birds, then go for the 70-200 VR. If slow wildlife, eg elephants, then any will do.

I have used both the Tokina and Nikon version, and IMHO, both are equally as good. Of course, the Nikon has better re-sale value.

I believe this will be your "temporary" lens, as you will be selling to get a better / faster lens. If that's the case, go for the Nikon.

2nd February 2005	#1
ak6110 Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Singapore, Bukit Panjang Posts: 314	Nikon vs Tokina Hi guys, I wanted to get a telephoto lens for some wildlife shooting, but still having some problem deciding which brand of LEN to get. I have narrow down to two brands, as indicate above, the model are: 1. Tokina 80-200mm f/2.8 AT-X AF Pro 2. Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED As a budget constrain, I cannot afford very expensive lens. Heard from CP that the quality wise is about the same but the price is a big difference. Do give me any feedback, comments, pro/con on these products. If you think that other brands are better do let me know. Thanks in advance for any comments or feedback. AK

2nd February 2005	#2
Astroboy3177 Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 123	mind to state the price ? thanks....

2nd February 2005	#3
user111 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,719	your best bet is nikkor 2-touch used. people typically sell it for 1200 SGD

2nd February 2005	#4
nemesis32 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 3,483	nikon is abt 1600-1700 new whereas tokina is abt 900-1000 new. I owned the tokina one and IMHO, it's damn good but slightly lighter, less sharp and slower focusing. For almost 1/2 the price, You can consider it a bargain. That said, i may decide to upgrade to the nikon 80-200 or the AFS 80-200/70-200 if i have the money!

4th February 2005	#5
ak6110 Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Singapore, Bukit Panjang Posts: 314	Guys, thanks for all the advice.... but as Nikon lens is much better and cost a lot more, I will just stick to a low budget lens until i have the extra cash.

4th February 2005	#6
sam_always Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 599	i secondhand good Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED is around $1000 - $1200. you should consider that. furthermore nikkor lenses have better resell value.

5th February 2005	#7
jamestan Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,660	If you shoot fast-moving wildlife, eg birds, then go for the 70-200 VR. If slow wildlife, eg elephants, then any will do. I have used both the Tokina and Nikon version, and IMHO, both are equally as good. Of course, the Nikon has better re-sale value. I believe this will be your "temporary" lens, as you will be selling to get a better / faster lens. If that's the case, go for the Nikon.