Tokina 80-200/2.8 vs some very good primes and a Viv 100-200

[caspert79]

This time I've tested my Tokina 80-200mm f/2.8 against 2 primes: The Nikkor HC 85/1.8 and Takumar 135/2.5 (v2). IMO, these primes usually deliver very good IQ. @200mm I tested it against a Vivitar 100-200mm f/4 close focusing zoom.

First the Tokina vs the Nikkor HC @ 85mm:



Then, the Tokina vs the Takumar @ 135mm:



Finally: the Tokina vs the Vivitar @ 200mm:



Then the 100% crops:

First the Tokina vs the Nikkor HC @ 85mm



Then, the Tokina vs the Takumar @ 135mm:



Finally: the Tokina vs the Vivitar @ 200mm:



Conclusion: The Tokina 80-200/2.8 doesn't quite match the quality @ 85mm of the Nikkor HC 85/1.8. The Nikkor shows much more detail. @135mm, the Takumar wins. Closed down a bit though, the differences are not that big IMO. @200mm, the Tokina wins from the Vivitar. The picture of the Vivitar @ f/5.6 is worse than the picture @ f/4. Although I used the timer, I suspect that there must have been some vibration.

[bernhardas]

Edited

[FotoPete]

Thanks for the tests! I had a love-hate relationship with the Tokina, I don't have one handy anymore but my biggest quip was with the colour of the Tokina. It wasn't as well corrected and made WB a more demanding task. It was also difficult to focus on split screen. (live view changed everything)