Tokina AF205 28-105mm F/3.5-4.5

Has anyone had this lens? Can anyone comment on it? On digital and film (i.e. on APS-C or full-frame)? What is your general experience with Tokina lenses? People here seem to prefer Tamron after Pentax, and Sigma seems to have the good (EX?), the bad, and the ugly! But I rarely hear about Tokina.

I have just bought a new Tokina AF205 28-105mm F/3.5-4.5, firstly because I've been wanting to try out a Tokina lens (joining my manual-focus Vivitar zoom and Tamron 24mm) and secondly because I wanted a walk-around lens for my *ist DS to substitute my Pentax-F 28-80 F/3.5-4.5(non-SMC) that would give me:

1. 50cm or less minimum focusing distance (instead of 1 meter)
2. Internal focus (so that I can use my polarizer decently... oh, and a hood, too)
3. At least 3.5-4.5 speed (to match the 28-80)
4. If possible, a tiny bit longer reach on both ends
5. Less problems with flare and veiling (my 28-80 is not SMC and has lots of flare/veiling)

I intended to buy the Pentax-FA 28-105 F/3.2-4.5 new to replace my 28-80 (mainly because of the problems in the points above and the zoom ring is too tight), but since I could not afford it for now, I decided to get the Tokina now and get the Pentax maybe for Christmas.

Having used the 28-80 for a while, I think 28mm is enough for most of my "wide-angle" needs in digital, and 80mm is just nice as telephoto. My wife is not very keen on waiting for me to change lenses... so having a good do-it-all-but-not-exagerating-like-a-18-200-zoom is a Good Thing for me.

I made a few tests against the Pentax-F 28-80 F/3.5-4.5(non-SMC), a Pentax-F 35-80 F/4-5.6, a Vivitar MC 35-70 F/2.8-3.8, and the "incontournable" Pentax-A 50mm F/1.7.

I would like to hear some of your opinons about it before I say what I think about the Tokina optically.

Mechanically the lens is actually quite nice; a bit big and heavy with it's almost 500g, but with a very pleasant grip on the zoom and focus rings (the focus could have more damping, but I guess that's normal on an autofocus lens) and an all-metal construction it feels sturdy and great to handle.

Thanks!

Here's the new baby:








Pretty, isn't it?

I can see that this is going to be the start of a beautiful frienship....

Hi Fink,

I have it and it's realy an excellent lens, may be a little bit expansive, but very nice !!!


Best regards (Jean - François from France)