Anyone own the Tokina AF 100mm f/2.8 macro

[jhansman]

I'm looking seriously at this lens, as it seems to garner great reviews for a DX macro lens that can also do double duty with portraits (and is in my price range). Would like to hear any experiences with it anyone might have. Many thanks.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

I'm looking seriously at this lens, as it seems to garner great reviews for a DX macro lens that can also do double duty with portraits (and is in my price range). Would like to hear any experiences with it anyone might have. Many thanks.

I'm tossing around this decision also. Ken Rockwell really likes the performance and price of this lens. The Nikon 105 Macro has VR (which I would love) and AF-S for $830 (refurbished by Nikon) compared to $490. The only thing that really gives me pause is reports from lensrentals.com on their experiences with Tokina lenses. They gave mention of grit forming in the gears of the push-pull auto/manual focus ring and poor customer service from Tokina.

All of the Tokina 16-28 f/2.8 lenses had the same problem (AF/MF clutch), which is also a chronic problem on the similarly designed Tokina 11-16 f/2.8. Because they’re all failing for the same reason, we think it’s probably a real thing.

I’m always happier when I can find a logical explanation for the numbers. The Tokina lenses are a good example. They seem to have trouble with the AF-MF clutch system (if you haven’t shot with one, instead of an electrical switch or full-time manual focus, you move the focus ring forward or backward to engage manual focus). If we pull the rubber off of the focus ring, it becomes apparent the clutch is really two barrels held together by tape.

Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 with focusing rubber removed.



The lower (mount side) barrel pulls drops down once the tape is removed, showing the mechanical clutch. The teeth on the upper side engage the small collared screws in the internal focusing ring to manually focus when the clutch is pulled back to manually focus, disengage when it’s pushed forward.

Tokina 11-16 f/2.8, focus barrel separated



A lot of grit and dirt gets in there (probably from inside the lens) and sticks because there is lubricant on the teeth. The brass collars and screws break. So it makes sense that a heavily used lens, like a rental lens, might develop problems from wear-and-tear around the clutch.

On Tokina customer service...

Tokina is absent from the table because we stopped sending anything in to them years ago. If we can’t fix it ourselves, we use an independent service center. They may be much better now, but I have no information either way.

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/09/lensrentals-repair-data-january-july-2012

 

[jhansman]

Interesting. I was wondering why this lens was not carried by Borrowlenses.com, or any other rental outfit. Might be worth seeing if any contact with Tokina can be made, and if so, what they have to say about this issue. And yes, like you, I was looking at it as an affordable substitute for the Nikkor 105mm. Thanks.

 

[Riverhound777]

I went with the Tamron 90mm when I was looking at these due to the built-in focus motor. Here is the thread I made. http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2197568

Happy with my purchase, love the lens.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

The image quality of all the 100mm-ish f/2.8 macros from all the major brands is pretty much the same, and very good. I think they all use pretty much the same optical formula. Build quality is usually pretty high, but each brand has its own AF motor implementation, and Nikon and Canon both offer VR/IS nowadays. I personally love the USM motors from Canon, but in a Macro environment you actually hardly use AF anyway. You pretty much leave it in Manual, set it to 1:1 and then move the camera back and forth to get the subject in focus.

 

[jhansman]

I went with the Tamron 90mm when I was looking at these due to the built-in focus motor.

And, would you buy it again? Inquiring minds want to know. The last (and only) Tamron lens I had was sold a week after I got it for just about what I paid for it. Reminded me of the Vivitar glass I used to buy back in my film days.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

And, would you buy it again? Inquiring minds want to know. The last (and only) Tamron lens I had was sold a week after I got it for just about what I paid for it. Reminded me of the Vivitar glass I used to buy back in my film days.

I do have the Tamron 17-50 non-VC. I was trying (in a similar situation) to decide between the Nikon 17-55 and the Tam. A review @ bythom.com convinced me to give the Tamron a chance. AF was off and shots were soft. I sent the lens in for warranty service and had it back in a week properly calibrated. They do have QA issues, but seem to have an outstanding service dept. 3 day guaranteed repairs or they send you a replacement new or refurb lens. 6 year warranty.

JR

 

[elitejp]

All the macro lenses are extremely extremely sharp. It doesnt matter what brand, the thing people must decide with macro lenses is what focal length they want. And ive never heard of tokina just breaking apart like Johnny mentions