Tokina ATX-Pro 80-200mm F2.8 - Pentax KAF mount

By Steve Graham

Focal Length min 80mm, max 200mm
Aperture - max F2.8, min F22
Close Focus 1.8m
Weight 1.210kg

Build

This is a solidly built metal shelled lens - heavy and rugged. Zooming is smooth and easy, as is the action of the manual focus ring. The AF/MF clutch mechanism has a positive action and the lens comes complete with a metal hood and revolving tripod mount. Large 77mm filters are required.

Optical

A 11 group, 17 element design, covering an constant maximum aperture range of F2.8, this is one serious lens. The very wide front element is a little intimidating, and the those of a nervous disposition may want to fit a UV filter for protection at all times. If you do I'd recommend either Pentax or Hoya multi-coated filters, to minimise optical degredation.
At 200mm and F2.8 results are a bit soft, but at other apertures results are very good. Close focusing could be better, but decent portraits are still perfectly possible.

Handling

A two-touch zoom, with wide and smooth focus and zoom rings, and a well weighted aperture ring, this lens has good handling characteristics - helped by the bright viewfinder image that the constant F2.8 aperture affords. During AF the manual focus ring is de-clutched to avoid it revolving - to engage manual focus the camera must be switched to MF, and the focus ring pulled back to engage it. The lens is an internal focussing model, which helps when filters are used. The weight of the lens makes it preferrable to tripod or monopod mount it - which the revolving tripod mount facilitates.

Compatibility

Results with Pentax Z1p and MZ5 bodies have been encouraging - exposure readings match those from Pentax AF lenses, and from an external light meter. Viewfinder aperture readings are correct - basically no compatability problems have been encountered to date.

Price

I paid 5500 Hong Kong Dollars (approximately 700USD) for this lens. As the Pentax equivalent is a lot more expensive, and competitors from Tamron and Sigma are not produced for Pentax AF there aren't many alternatives.

Conculsion

A fine lens, capable of "professional" results, and with excellent build and handling - this represents good value. Do be prepared for it's considerable weight. My primary use is for photographing my kids at play, where the fast auto-focus and wide apertures are of great benefit. It also doubles as an good lens for studio portraiture.

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