Tokina 19-35mm f/3.5 to f/4.5 Review
Tokina AF193 19-35mm f/3.5 to f/4.5 Lens Review
April 2009, Carl Garrard
Tamron Autofocus 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras
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Back in a time not too long ago when Tokina made lenses for Minolta, a lightweight, affordable ultrawide lens design became very popular, the Tokina 19-35mm f/3.5-f/4.5 wide angle lens. It was designed to cover a 35mm full frame area originally for film cameras, yet the range itself makes it compelling for APS-C use even now. The Tokina 19-35mm continues to be popular/available enough today to be a lens worth considering for the Alpha Mount, and as you can see, a subsequent review here. Brand new copies of this lens can still be found with retailers at remarkably low prices. The lens boasts metal and plastic construction, but is very rugged and precise and features internal focusing and zooming for less than $200.00 USD retail. Tokina can arguably be the best built consumer grade lenses on the market for the dollar, which makes it a pity they do not make new models available for the Alpha Mount. That aside, we still do have a few out there available to us, and the Tokina 19-35mm is one of them. Take a tour of this lens with us as I share my thoughts and test findings with you. |
Introduction:
I used the A900 to evaluate this lens for the review which will be the very first review I have completed using the A900 as a test bed, and it certainly won't be the last. Up till now, Alpha Mount shooters have only had an APS-C platform to test the Tokina 19-35mm's digital merits, but that all changed when the A900 was introduced last year. Before I get into how well the Tokina 19-35mm performed on the A900, let me share with you a bit of history about this lens, as well as some technical specifications.
Tokina includes high-refraction (HLD) low dispersion all-glass optics made by Hoya in the construction of the 19-35mm f/3.5-f/4.5 lens design. Tokina then blended their own proprietary anti-reflective multi-coatings into those optics offering a rather compelling value-priced package. Let me re-iterate, this is an internal focusing, internal zoom, non-rotating front element lens built of metal with HLD glass for less than $200.00. To me, that is worth repeating. These specifications, added to the build specifications above, make for a lens that seems too good to be true, right? Not so fast.
Every once in a while a lens manufacturer will produce a lens that becomes a bit legendary, that offers excellent build, optical quality, and performance for the price. Tokina's 19-35mm has been a great seller and highly popular for many years now, both for film and digital use. Originally released around May of 2003, since then the little Tokina has endured great success and even has been dubbed the "Plastic Fantastic" by the photographic subculture. That name is actually a bit misleading as a good portion of this lens is made of metal, and the 'plastics' themselves are really much higher grade composites than most manufactures use.. so don't let the nickname scare you off.
You might be wondering how fantastic a 6 year old design performs on the modern day DSLR resolution king (er hem the Sony A900)? Well that is a good question, and one I am thankfully prepared to share with you next.
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It looks much like..
The Corsina 19-35 and it's cousins (phoenix,vivitar Ect.) are there any similarity ??
Cheers Martin.
Not sure with Cosina
but it seems like it. Vivitar and Tamron both make a model that resembles similar attributes, but when you compare the weight none of them match up.
Carl
I think I read somewhere on
I think I read somewhere on the internet that there was actually an earlier version of this lens, which wasn't as good. It can be found labeled as a Vivitar. The version of the lens you tested can also be found in Vivitar and Promaster guise from what I understand.
You have this lens still Brian?
I think you mentioned you did, if so what do you think of the conclusions of the full frame test, vs. what you see on APS-C?
Carl
I still have it. I really
I still have it. I really think the only different is the edges. Due to the crop factor, edge to edge sharpness is not really an issue for this lens on APS-C cameras.
Nice review Carl. I have the
Nice review Carl.
I have the Tamron version, and for the bargain price I paid for it, this is a pretty nice lens. Some drop off at 19mm in the corners, but stopped right down, unlikely to be a major issue for most print sizes, it perfectly acceptable.
I use it mostly on 35mm, and have to say for the outlay, it's a real steal..giving you good coverage of most of the wide angles you could want.
One thing about the lens, as you mentioned, it has a really nice contrast to it, very appealing and noticeable in the images. Whilst more use on a FF body, it's still handy on APS-C. One of the bargain lenses out there worth hunting out.
Tamron version has 8 aperture blades v 6 on the Tokina one, but the build is better on the Tokina. I suspect all the various makers versions share the same optical design..
It's a deal
Carl
You sold me so much that after reading the review I jumped on e-Bay and got a NIB version for $90.95. I can't resist a bargain. If I get bored, my boys can share it as they both have A100's.
"Carl You sold me so much
"Carl
You sold me so much that after reading the review I jumped on e-Bay and got a NIB version for $90.95. I can't resist a bargain. If I get bored, my boys can share it as they both have A100's."
Excellent, I don't feel bad selling you on a sub 100.00 dollar lens in the least. :) I think you will like using it, even for APS-C work. It isn't as wide as the Tamron 17-50, Sony 16-80, or even the kit lens for that matter.... yes it isn't nearly as expensive as the first two and performs better than the third.
Let us know what you think of it in our new Lens Talk Forum if you so choose!
Carl
Carl, Your recommendations
Carl,
Your recommendations are outstanding! I purchased this lens and love it, a very artistic effect with the soft corners, a real plus in my mind. I also purchased the Samsung Netbook. Your reviews incredibly valuable. Keep up the good work. Many thanks.
Morey Kitzman, Ph.D.
Sony Alpha 900
Thank you very much Morey
Glad you liked the review!
That lens has a very unique look to it, unlike others. That is why I keep it around mainly. I prefer the Tamron 17-35mm overall as a "must choose" between one or the other, but when I want the particular effect the Tokina gives, I reach for it. Can't really duplicate that effect in post processing, it is very film like and classic looking. Thanks for reminding me again about this :) (so many lenses and cameras, so little time!)
Carl