I have both the Tokina ATX and the A* 300mm f4 (not the M* but I think
the lenses are the same optical formula.)
Hands down, I would take the Tokina over the A*. I have toted my A*
around for over a decade and have barely used it. It is certainly an
above average lens, but not on par with some of the truly excellent star
series lenses.
I have found the Tokina to be pretty good, especially at f8. It does get
soft at f 5.6. I searched high and low for the Tokina about a year after
it was discontinued, IIRC in the late 90's, and ultimately bought a
Sigma 400mm f5.6. I later swapped that lens for the Tokina and a bit of
cash. I think I paid about $650 for the Tokina then. My original sample
got the fungus. I looked for a replacement for several months and got a
SIgma 135 - 400 when I could not find one. Later I bought a replacement
Tokina off ebay last year (or maybe the year before) for about $400. The
SIgma zoom is a nice lens at 400, but not on par with the Tokina.
The SIgma 400 f5.6 macro was probably a better lens than the Tokina
400mm. I recall someone here on the list noting that the Sigma was
sharper than the Tokian at 5.6, but the Tokina surpassed the Sigma at
f8. Not sure if that is true but at the time I did not understand how
important it is for a telephoto to be very sharp wide open.
I have several shots with the Tokina on my website -
http://www.markcassino.com/b2evolution/index.php/spotted-sandpiper
http://www.markcassino.com/b2evolution/index.php/white_throated_sparrow
http://www.markcassino.com/b2evolution/index.php/of-finches-and-thistle
The goldfinch shots were taken with the fungus-clouded lens.
Overall, I've found the Tokina to be a great lens. The biggest drawback
is that it lulls you into shooting without a Tripod (too small and
light) and images suffer from that. Even with AS, you need a tripod for
telephoto work. Ahd like I said - I almost never use the A* 300mm f4.
Just too short, focuses too far away, and not so hot optically. I had
hopes that using it with the Q would finally be a nice for the 300mm,
but my recent tests have not born that out.
Mark
On 9/21/2012 11:00 AM, Collin Brendemuehl wrote:
http://evangelicalperspective.blogspot.com/2012/09/perspectives-on-tokina-at-x-40056-af-v.html
Not a thorough comparison, but enough to display strong points of both.
Sincerely,
Collin Brendemuehl
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose"
-- Jim Elliott
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