Tokina 300mm f2.8 Lens Review and Test Report

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Tokina AT-X 300mm f2.8 SD

Tested with a Canon EOS 20D


	Tokina’s ATX 300mm f2.8 has always been something of a bargain, at less than half the cost of it’s Canon or Nikon equivalent. Just how much of a compromise is it though when it comes to image quality, autofocus accuracy, and, vital for sports photographers, autofocus speed. Lens tested: Tokina AT-X 300mm f2.8 SD There are also AT-X II and AT-X Pro versions.

		Like all 300mm f2.8’s the Tokina is big lens

Many people use 300mm f2.8’s for sport so autofocus speed and accuracy are an important issue with this class of lens. With either Canon or Nikon’s current 300mm f2.8’s, or even with my old Nikon 300mm f2.8 AF-i, both speed and accuracy are superb, giving almost instant responses. Unfortunately this is one area where the Tokina AT-X 300mm f2.8 DS is simply outclassed. Although autofocus speed is quick, it’s conventional AF motor is no match for AF-S or USM lenses. This is an old style whrrr kind of autofocus lens. Focusing is also where the lens has something of a handling issue. Early AF lenses all had tiny manual focus rings, which was bad, as there are times when we still need to turn the AF off and use a proper focusing ring. So most pro lenses have conventional sized MF rings, and the Tokina AT-X 300mm f2.8 has an excellent manual focussing ring, just in the right place for those times you reckon you can do a better job yourself - the problem is that it’s also in the position your hands naturally fall to cradle the substantial weight of the lens, and when you are using autofocus the ring is still connected and turns as soon as you touch the shutter release. It’s a little disconcerting and means that when you use this lens you have to make sure you hold it farther down the barrel than normal - where there is a rubber grip - or you’ll get a surprise as soon as you try to take a picture. When I first used the lens this happened all the time and was really annoying - by the time I’d adjusted my grip the shot was long gone. I’ve now learned to hold the lens on the wider part of the barrel, so it’s not a huge issue, just one that wouldn’t happen with either a Nikon or Canon 300mm f2.8.

That’s the bad news out of the way then, so lets look at the Tokina ATX 300mm f2.8 SD’s good points. First off, this is a very well made lens - No lightweight plastics here - this is metal and glass, and built to last. It comes with a large leather case, a huge lens hood and a 112mm UV filter, so it’s ready to go right out of the box. For a lens that is sold on value, this adds to the feeling of getting a lot for your money. It also has the essential tripod mount, so in terms of basic functions, nothing’s been left out. OK there’s no focus range limiter switch, and no clutch to disengage the manual focus ring, but you do get a lot of lens for your money. Even a used 300m f2.8, bought on ebay as this was, is still a very expensive purchase.

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	All text and images copyright David Gold 2006 - 2008 and must not be reproduced in any way without permission davidgold@ezeedsl.co.uk

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