Tokina AT-X Series 35mm SLR AF Lenses with SD Optical Glass

For (Mounts): Canon, Minolta, Nikon, Pentax, cameras

The Guide's purpose is to give you information on the first generation of Tokina AT-X AF lenses, introduced in 1991-1992, so you are a better buyer who is also well informed about 35mm SLR lenses, and also to help you to have a more pleasant experience owning, and creating photos with 35mm lenses.

Tokina is a lens manufacturer, who started crafting 35mm lenses in the 1960's, later in the early 1970's they started manufacturing their own lenses with the Tokina nameplate. The AT-X Autofocus SD series of lenses, are designed, and manufactured by the Tokina Optical Company of Japan.

Tokina was one of the first lens manufacturers to bring compact design, and lighter weights to previously bulky and cumbersome lenses, producing the world's first 28-85mm, 90-230mm, 75-260mm, 100-300mm, 35-105mm 50-250mm, 35-200mm, and 40-200mm zoom lenses.

Tokina lenses are for serious and demanding photographers, both amateur, and professional. Tokina lenses are designed to produce the sharpest possible image.

Apochromatic Sharpness

The Tokina lenses featured in the Guide almost all come with SD (Super Low Dispersion) glass that minimize chromatic aberrations for crisp, sharp images at all focal lengths. Some utilize HLD (High Refraction, Low Dispersion) glass to eliminate other aberrations such as astigmatism, curvature of field, and distortion for high contrast corner-to-corner sharpness.

Internal Rear Focusing System (IRF)

A patented focusing system found in the Tokina AT-X 300AF, and AT-X 400AF. By guaranteeing constant lens length during focusing, this unique system allows quick focusing and good balance. This system also assures superior image quality from infinity to the minimum focusing distance.

AT-X AF (autofocus) series

AT-X270 AF 28 - 70mm f/2.8 - HLD Glass

To fit Canon - Minolta - Nikon - Pentax

This lens covers the highly useful 28-70mm focal length range, including the 50mm standard length. The lens features a highly desirable constant, and fast f/2.8 aperture for critical accurate exposures. The contrast, and sharpness are above average for a zoom lens, and the distortion is better than average for a zoom of this range. The view through the viewfinder of a Nikon N90 camera is bright, with good contrast and color, and good apparent sharpness. Autofocus performance attached to a Nikon N90 (N90 has superior AF) is fast, with little hunting or missed focus, even in low light levels. The zoom rings turns easily with proper resistance, and zooming is fast. Manual focus is above average for an autofocus lens, fast, with little resistance in the focus ring, full focus range take place in less than a quarter turn of the focus ring. Construction of the lens is also above average, a good combination of metal, and a very high quality plastic, and feels sound to the touch, the black finish on the lens housing is of very high quality, the zoom, and focus rings are covered with knurled rubber. The zoom ring is of good width, 3/4", and the focus ring is 1/2" wide, both above average for an autofocus lens. Front filter diameter is a large 72mm, to prevent lens vignetting, and to reduce light fall-off on the image plane.

AT-X828 AF 80-200mm f/2.8 SD glass

To fit Minolta - Nikon

Possibly the sharpest lens, with the best contrast of the ATX series, it has outstanding performance, very close to that of Nikon's 80-200mm f2.8 AF zoom lens. With the brightness of its f/2.8 maximum aperture, this lens captures distant landscapes in their finest detail. Its SD glass thoroughly compensates for chromatic aberration.

AT-X300 300mm f/2.8 (IRF) SD glass

To fit Minolta - Nikon

This telephoto lens has an outstanding performance and fast f/2.8 maximum aperture. It employs two SD glass elements; its precision engineering allows it to respond quickly to rapid shooting action. With Tokina's patented IRF system.

AT-X400 AF 400mm f/5.6 (Close Focus) SD glass

To fit Minolta - Nikon

The ultra-telephoto world of the 400mm lens will unfold before your eye in the viewfinder. Because of its IRF system, you can capture the split-second movements in sports action. Quick response comes with this powerful telephoto lens. With a minimum shooting distance of 8.2 feet, which is really convenient when you want to be near your subject. Another attractive feature of this lens is its excellent optical performance, which is accomplished with the use of SD glass.

AF Series

AF235 AF 20 - 35mm f/3.5 - 4.5 HLD Glass

To fit Canon - Minolta - Nikon - Pentax

This compact lens covers the most used, and useful, range of wide angle focal lengths from 20-35mm. The lens Lanthanum glass makes this design possible, which includes a flat field, which few lenses in this range have. The special glass also makes this lens very sharp, and provides accurate color rendition of your subject. The constrast, sharpness, and low distortion are all above average for a zoom lens of this type. The view through the viewfinder of a Nikon N90 camera is bright, with good contrast, realistic saturated color,  and good apparent sharpness. Autofocus speed, and accuracy with a Nikon N90 camera attached are both above average (good), even in low light levels, with little or no delay, or hunting for focus, unlike many other lenses. The 9/16" wide knurled rubber covered zoom ring turns with precision, and zooming is fast, the full range being accomplished in less than a quarter turn of the zoom ring. Manual focusing is sure and fast for an autofocus lens, the full focus range takes place in about a quarter of a turn of the focus ring, all definitely better than average, the knurled rubber covered zoom ring is 5/16" wide, about average for this type of lens. Front filter diameter is 72mm.

Technical Specifications:

Lens    ViewAngle   NearFocus   Dim.   Filter      Weight

f length     degrees      ft.(m)       LxW      dia        oz.(g)

   mm                                           in.     mm

20-35      96-63        1.3(0.4)     2.7x3     72  16.2(460)

28-70      75-34        2.3(0.7)     3.7x3     72  21.1(600)

80-200    30-12        5.9(1.8)     7x3.2     77  42.7(1210)

300        8 degrees    7.9(2.4)   8.5x4.6  112  72.0(2040)

400        6 degrees    8.2(2.5)   8.0x3.1   72   35.6(1010)