 Timothy E. George |
Tokina Zoom Telephoto 80-400mm I am looking to buy a telephoto lens for my digital Rebel XT. I was looking mainly at Canon lenses, the 70-300mm in particular, when I came across Tokina. They offer a telephoto 80-400mm that boasts faster focus speeds, "multi-coatings applied to the elements that formulated to compensate of the highly reflective CCD and CMOS sensors in today’s Digital SLR cameras" and costs less than the Canon. Does anyone have experience with this lens, or with Tokina? Thanks
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Jon Close |
Don't have this lens, but found a review here: http://www.popphoto.com/cameralenses/3266/lens-test-tokina-at-x-80-400mm-f45-56-af-d.html. The "faster focus speeds" is in comparison to the previous version of this Tokina lens, it may or may not be faster than other makers' alternatives. I could be wrong, but I think I've read that the tripod collar is not removeable. This is just a minor problem if shooting hand-held, but it can be rotated so the foot is to the side or on top to be out of the way. On the other hand, it has a unique feature at the front that allows adjusting a polarizing filter without removing the lens hood. I think the Tokina 80-400 would be a good alternative if you balk at the higher prices of the Image Stabilized EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS USM or Sigma 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 EX OS, and it has better build quality and reach than the less expensive Canon/Sigma/Tamron 70-300 f/4-5.6 zooms.
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Timothy E. George |
I read the review you suggested and the Tokina 80-400mm rates quite well. But I now have another question. This time about image stabilization. The Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS Autofocus Lens is the same price as the Tokina 80-400mm, but doesn't have the same range. In place it has an image stabilizer. My loaded question is, How important is a IS in a telephoto lens? Considering I'm an experienced amateur, am I better off with the Canon? Thanks again.
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Jon Close |
Loaded indeed. ;-) You pay your money and take your choice. If you plan to shoot mostly hand-held, then IS is worth the extra cost, even though the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM is about 2x-3x the price of the optically comparable non-IS Sigma (or Tamron) 70-300 f/4-5.6 APO (Di LD). The 70-300 is relatively small (58mm filter size v. 72mm for the 80-400) and light to carry (1.4 lb v. 2.25 lb). The EF 70-300 IS also focus closer (1.5m v. 2.5m for the Tokina 80-400) making it a better choice for bug/flower close-ups. But the barrel rotates and extends with focus, making it inconvenient to use with a polarizer, and it has to be focused to infinity to stow at its shortest length. Offsetting that, the Tamron has greater reach to 400mm, internal focus with non-rotating front element for convenience with polarizer, the tripod ring gives it better balance and easier to rotate to protrait orientation when used on a tripod or monopod, and its metal barrel is probably more rugged/durable than the 70-300s plastic barrel. Hiking, chasing wildlife outdoors, used with a monopod (sports sidelines) or tripod, moon shots, landscapes w/polarizer, then I'd prefer the Tokina. Indoor/stadium sports where you can't use a monopod, backyard birds & flowers, and general travel, then I'd go with IS. IMHO/YMMV.
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Darren Deans |
Timothy, Much will depend on your budget as you already know, but also what you are looking to take with the photos. If you want to publish them on the web then you can use a smaller lower cost lens, but if you want to print A1 posters, then you need a bigger higher price lens. Many people will complain about the non-canon lens, but for value the Tamron 28-200 is a very good starter lens. If your budget allows then get the Canon 70 – 300 IS USM, in low light the IS feature really helps! http://www.eflens.com/ef70300mmf456isusm/
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Timothy E. George |
Let me first that I truly appreciate your input and the time you have taken to give it. :-) Based on the likely primary use of the lens, (my kids soccer games, pumpkin patches, carnivals, etc.), I think the IS feature will be more important than the extra 100mm's. ;-) Thanks again for you help. As I continue to add inventory to my bag, you'll see me back here a few more times.
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