Tokina AT-X 35mm f/2.8 PRO DX Macro Lens for Nikon Digital Cameras

2013-07-11T21:00:00

I got mine new from Adorama on a closeout deal for less than I could find it used. I believe it was the last one in stock (Adorama's web site changed to no longer available a few minutes after I ordered). If you're looking for a standard focal length prime with macro capability I recommend finding a used one. I chose this to use with my D7000 over the Nikkor 35mm DX based on reviews I'd read. My experience with it has been very consistent with major online lens reviewer comments. My observations: - There's no need to stop down for sharpness. f/2.8 is really good. This is a true f/2.8 lens. - CA is there in strong contra light, especially when stopped down. In worst cases I can't correct it all in post processing. But in most situations it's not an issue. - Flare shows up only when shooting directly into the sun. - The AF/MF clutch feature is useful, but harder to engage than other Tokina AT-X lenses. It takes more force to move the ring back and forth. - Once selected, manual focus is very nice with a smooth feel and a wide focus ring. - AF is fast enough for general use with the limit/full switch set to limit, but it's not lightning quick. I'd probably choose another lens for sports. - Bokeh is smooth in most cases. Only rarely have I gotten annoying out of focus highlights. - Sharpness at macro distances is very good, although working distance is short. - Build quality is very solid. Feels like pro level equipment.

BigJ

2013-02-04T19:00:00

When began shooting 35 years ago, all I had a 50mm lens on a film camera. I use this on a crop sensor camera yielding the area of coverage the equivalent of about a 50mm lens on a full size sensor. This is an easy to carry lens for walk around use. Primarily I use this for flower shots while on nature walks. I've also taken it to indoor parties to shoot with or without flash. I find it to be well made and sharp enough to satisfy my needs (I like sharp photos). Another feature I like is it has a built in metal shade hood that screws onto the front of the lens. I leave it on all the time. It has a focus limit switch for normal photos, and a full range for macro. The focus is quick enough for me even when it goes through the macro range. I did change out the Tokina front lens cover for an equivalent size Nikon, because I find the Nikon lens cover to be easier for me to remove without looking. The focus ring operates on by push pull method to select auto/manual function. It's more like a shove and clunk, and the pressure required to change the function from one to the other usually results in enough pressure to move the camera on the ball. I suppose I could lock down the ball better, but I like to keep it loose enough to adjust the camera a little. I'm used to the Nikon switch, as it doesn't push the camera around when switched. Not recommended for bugs, as the lens is so close to the focus plane in macro. Unfortunately, I believe this lens is now discontinued from Tokina. I'm glad I bought this lens and I like it enough to put up with the few things I don't like about it.

David

2012-06-24T21:00:00

I use this as my walk a round lens. All my pics are tack sharp. I use this lens on my Canon T1i as it makes a great normal lens at 56mm. Works well in low light situations at higher iso settings. Macro is usefull for close objects. Not really enough natural light gets to subject at 1:1 without added source because of very short distance between subject and lens. I really enjoy using this lens. It reminds me of beginning photography with only my camera and prime lens.

Idylwood

2012-04-15T21:00:00

I've used this lens in a wedding to photograph the rings, it was awesome! I also used it to photograph shoes and dress details. I've photographed food too and loved the results. It's a greate lens, but in my camera (D90) there is no autofocus, so I guess it lost 50% of its function. I didn't regret only because it has being a good support for many types of photography, and it was very cheap too. I could use it for portraits, but without autofocus it's useless for that.

MARIA C.

2012-03-28T21:00:00

I just put this on a Nikon D700 and it works on the FX format. Generally nice macro.

SHOU-JEN W.

2012-02-26T19:00:00

lens works fine,the manual to auto focus is a very good feature. in macro if your subject has any depth to it your auto focus may not focus on what you want included in the shot.i found that even in close macro there is no problem with using flash either on camera or bounce. i like the flashpoint ring lite with it,lets you see whats going on with shadows before you shot.also works as a vid lite.

Charlie

2012-01-24T19:00:00

Just got this in the mail, I got the package for the filter. I removed the metal hood to install the filter. It doesn't have a built-in motor so I have to focus manually on my D40, but that's fine by me. Loving the macro right now. Expect to update this once I've used it more.

SHOU-JEN W.

2012-01-03T19:00:00

Why so little review on this product??? I used many lenses before, i mean everything. Leica, Zeiss, L, ...this lens is on top with all the top. The crispiness, detailed sharp, even on all aperature, contrasy even on F2.8. I use this lens mainly for fashion photography and it simply blows me away. The only the i dont like is probably the looks, but is personal preference and is not really got for Macro bugs..since the focal length is a 50mm on a crop.

Jo

2011-11-13T19:00:00

Good macro lens, quality of photos is very good, very close working distance makes it hard to light some subjects. Very good constrast to allow for seperation of tones in photography of scientific specimens

hypergon

2011-09-03T21:00:00

An excellent all round lens with DX cameras. Very good quality and inexpensive.

alex d.

2011-07-17T21:00:00

Apart from the poor clutch focus, the image quality is top notch. Bokeh is bokehlicious. Autofocus just fine but could be faster. The clutch mechanism is rather poor due to the thin focus ring, not the same quality as the other Tokina model. I have to be gentle when swithing from autofocus to manual to avoid breaking the gears.[...]

PJY

2011-03-17T21:00:00

When I purchased this lens there were not a lot of reviews on it, so I kind of took a chance..... And I glad I did! This lens is great for macro, but also Landscape shots too. Those with a nifty fifty, this is a great upgrade/edition. 35mm is much better the 50mm ef lens on a APS-C sensor camera (T2i) This is my new fav, its stays on my camera more than any other lens I own!!

dsit995

2010-11-20T19:00:00

Mainly, I use this for portrait and macro photography. I leave it on my Nikon D200 for all around use. Very rugged except for gold sticker that runs around rim of focusing ring which fell off after a couple of weeks, but that didn't affect anything other than the look. Its a nice lens overall, fast focusing, nice bokeh, strong construction. I like the "Limit" or "full" settings on side of lens that control focus. "Limit" quickens focus and "full" is useful for macro.

CCU

2010-05-30T21:00:00

this has become my main lens . first to go on any time i take my camera out.

brian

2010-05-29T21:00:00

I use this as a "normal 50mm" on my D300s. The lens build quality is fantastic and the auto focus is very accurate. The focus clutch mechanism is actually quite natural feeling once you get used to it and a pleasure in terms of real world practicality. It will do Macro quite nicely, however, with one caveat; In order to get close to a 1:1 ratio the subject will need to be within half an inch or so of the front of the lens. Overall, this is the lens that stays on my camera 90% of the time. I love it!!

Andrew M.

2010-03-03T19:00:00

I shoot Canon but wanted something to fill the void for occasional macro work and decided to give this a try. Small lightweight macro lens,excellent edge to edge sharpness.This lens is well built,solid and preforms superbly for true 1 to 1 macro.Even doubles as a 52mm walkaround with the f/2.8 Great Adorama price [...]Highly recommended from a die hard Canon user.

DENNIS O.

2010-02-21T19:00:00

It is excellent product. Very sharp. The macro is wonderful.

Sarmach

2010-01-29T19:00:00

Just got this so I'm still checking her out, but so far I am very impressed with the sharpness and overall quality.

TOM K.

2010-01-10T19:00:00

I love having a fast prime lens for shooting at events and in low light. This lens is fast, sharp, and focuses consistently. The switch between manual and autofocus is achieved by pulling the focus ring forward or back, so no hunting for a little tab on the side of the lens while shooting. It's lighter than the Sigma 30mm, which I used to have. The macro is sharp and clean. The maximum aperture allows you to shoot in low light without being too open and making it difficult to achieve the correct focus depth for portraits.

RACHEL G.

2010-01-09T19:00:00

We purchased this lens to add to our D300 kit for recent work in Tasmania. We were not disappointed especially it's close up macro ability (0.14m) in low light makes it very versatile. On all our Tokina lenses we particularly like the AF/MF focus switch ring.

alex d.

2010-01-09T19:00:00

This lens is light and easy to carry all day. The speed of the lens is suitable for low light conditions and the macro ability is icing on the cake. I carry this lens with me as my standard lens. It has a very low profile and hardly weighs anything. The auto focus is fast, and the output is consistent.

Joe

2009-09-13T21:00:00

This is a great prime lens...If you only want to carry one prime lens this fits the bill for quality work. It is my walkaround lens for my EOS 40D and I Luv It! Focus can be a little slow but you can lock the focus range from macro to normal if you wish...this will speed up the focus by limiting the range. Macro is great and can get right on top of subject almost touching it. Lens comes with a nice metal hood attached and I am really impressed with the "snap" focus control ring...Really Cool.. My next lens will be a Tokina..I hope it impresses me like this one.

Rich W.

2009-07-31T21:00:00

I've had this lens for about 3 weeks now and I'm very pleased with it's performance so far. It's very sharp and well built. The autofocus is a little slow, but not horrible ...as long as you don't plan on using this lens for fast moving subjects you'll be fine. I mainly use it for product, copywork, and portraits. The macro abilities are handy, but if you plan on working at 1:1 all the time I'd suggest getting a lens with a greater working distance.Sharpness is great overall...it's even decent at 2.8. There is pronounced CA at 2.8, but that's kind of expected from a lens in this price category. Lens comes with a very small screw in hood [...]. At first I thought they forgot to ship the lens with a hood until I went to put a uv filter on and discovered the tiny hood. Regardless of size it seems to work fine in most situations. I've not done any formal distortion tests yet, however I don't notice anything significant in the images that I've produced with the lens so far. One of my favorite things about this lens aside from sharpness is the 9 aperture blades that help produce beautiful bokeh.

KEVIN W.

2009-03-29T21:00:00

Focuses well and quickly. Very sharp and the close focus really helps in a pinch.

HENRIQUE B.