Tokina Alpha Mount Lauch in February ?

[Fotogeorge]

I also would like to get another 2.8 lens just to access the 2.8 sensor on my A700. I only have a few 2.8 lenses, but I don't want to pay high prices ($1000+) for a new lens. I don't need to shoot wide open; I like a lot of rectilinear detail starting from the foreground. I get along well using 3.5 lenses. I'd even like a new F/4.0 zoom lens. I don't need another ultra wide lens. I already rarely use my 11-18 Sony. I also own the Tamron 19-35 lens, that I don't think is a bad lens, especially with film. I really like to get other Tokina lenses, that are macro and tele-zoom. I am happy with my Tokina 24-200mm. I know that some reviewers consider it a bad lens. I read most reviews with a grain of salt. Several years ago, shortly after I purchased the lens, I took it to a Tokina service center in Long Beach. They readjusted the focus, cleaned it, and tightened the fittings. Afterwards, it was like a new lens. I am unhappy that it doesn't have a satisfactory close-focus characteristics, with at least a 1:2. Yes, I think more Tokina lenses is a good thing. Especially, if Tokina offers Sony-mount shooters options, that Sony won't or can't give their customers.

[alphaomega]

I was pondering Sigma's 120-400 for a time but was put off by the weight 1.6 kg. The Sony 70-400 G is also quite heavy at 1.5 kg. I might look at the Tokina 80-400 at just over one kg. Seems quite a weight gain. Will not be as good as the G but probably good enough for me and weight is a major consideration. The Tokina is still a f/4.5-5.6 lens and that will do me. So my initial Tokina "wish list" in A mount would consist of the new 16.5-135 mm and 80-400 mm.

[KevinBarrett]

Here's hoping we get an avalanche of new choices in the future!

[stevecim]

[quote="peterottaway"]Stevecim

You do need to exercise some care about extrapolating results from an older Canon 8 MP sensor with a x 1.6 form factor to a new Sony 14 MP x 1.5 sensor let alone whatever the supposed A 6/ A 7 models may bring.
/quote]



Thanks for the info, does this mean If I can't find a Sony review, would a Nikon review provide better info, since it's 1.5 crop and in many cases they use sony sensors?

[peterottaway]

If you have an A 700 which has a version of the Sony 12 MP sensor and the same x 1.5 crop then you would get a good idea of what the likely result would be for a test done on a Nikon D 90 or a D 300. Bearing in mind that the cameras are produced for the same type of photo enthusiast and have close enough performances.

The major exception is that the A 700 does have as David pointed out a f 2.8 center AF that will make for improved focusing speed and precision. There are many frequent posters to various boards that insist that the Nikon AF is superior to the Sony but I haven't found much of a measurable difference in the real world using a variety of lenses.

[pakodominguez]

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/10022 ... 282pt8.asp
this are good news

[Javelin]

"is being shown in mockup form on the stand of US distributor THK at the PMA show in Anaheim"

WOW what a coincidence! we happen to have 2 whole lines of mock-up cameras to use it on right now!!

Now all we need is a Mockup flash to complete the system

[KevinBarrett]

Now all we need is a Mockup flash to complete the system

Actually, a mock-up flash would be pretty encouraging. Sony has a pretty good record for delivering on their mock-ups, actually.

[alphaomega]

I "dreamed" on 1 February about the Tokina 16.5-135 being available in Alpha mount:

Well, the latest "rumour" on Tokina returning to A-mount offerings starting with the 11-16 W/A Zoom seems to come from DPReview
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read. ... e=34410588
I cannot make the translation work.
If it is indeed true it can only be good news. Perhaps Tokina are then even thinking of making their new 16-135 mm Zoom available in A-mouont as well? That would be exiting if the IQ and distortion pass muster. I might buy it then. Maybe the combination of 11-16 and 16-135 Tokinas on a new Alpha A700 successor at say 16-17Mp 7D "beater" would be the ultimate camera/lens combination for non FF users. I can perhaps start dreaming about this for the 2011 shooting season.

Just purchased the 20 March issue of UK Amateur Photographer and let me quote "All tokina lenses will now be available for Alpha users, Kenko's Paul Kench told AP, including the 11-16mm F2.8 zoom (we knew that) and the forthcoming 16.5-135mm F3.5-F5.6 ATX, which currently is only on sale for Nikon users". So there we are. My dream will come true. Just waiting patiently for its release and reviews. For you FF shooters there is also a new Tokina 16-28mm F2.8 zoom in the pipeline in Alpha mount as well.

[pakodominguez]

Just purchased the 20 March issue of UK Amateur Photographer and let me quote "All tokina lenses will now be available for Alpha users, Kenko's Paul Kench told AP, including the 11-16mm F2.8 zoom (we knew that) and the forthcoming 16.5-135mm F3.5-F5.6 ATX, which currently is only on sale for Nikon users". So there we are. My dream will come true. Just waiting patiently for its release and reviews. For you FF shooters there is also a new Tokina 16-28mm F2.8 zoom in the pipeline in Alpha mount as well.

The only APS lens I did consider to buy was the Tokina 50-135 f2.8 (http://www.tokinalens.com/products/toki ... odx-a.html) that score with excellence in any single review. The fisheye zoom is an interesting lens too... (http://www.tokinalens.com/products/toki ... fdx-a.html)
Anyway, I don't think I'll buy any APS lens unless something really special shows up (realted to the new Slimline cameras)

Regards