Lens review

Tokina AT-X M35 PRO DX 35 mm f/2.8

11. Summary

Pros:

• a solid barrel
• excellent middle-of-the-frame image quality
• very good image quality at the corners of the frame (except for F/2.8)
• well-controlled chromatic aberration
• small distortion
• very well-controlled astigmatism
• not too big vignetting
• reasonably accurate autofocus

• slightly disappointing image quality at the side of the frame at maximum aperture
• audible and slow autofocus

The lens’ rating can be by all means positive. It is well-made and at the same time handy. It gives us excellent image quality sufficiently controlling most optical faults. It can be used as a neat standard lens, making up for lower speed with its ability to shoot macro. All we could expect is a slightly lower price. 2/35 lenses, so faster ones, only with no macro function, cost about 800-1000 polish zlotys, so noticeably less than Tokina. Olympus ZD 3.5/35 Macro costs just 700 zlotys. It’s twice less than Tokina and both its optical and mechanical qualities are beyond reproach as well.

Sample shots:

Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/2000 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 3.1 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/800 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.6 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/4000 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.8 MB
Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/800 sek., ISO 400 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 3.3 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/3.2, exp. 1/1250 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.4 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/3.2, exp. 1/1600 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.3 MB
Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/160 sek., ISO 200 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.8 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/800 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.0 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/3.2, exp. 1/800 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 3.3 MB
Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/1000 sek., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 3.1 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/8000 sek., ISO 200 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.7 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/5000 sek., ISO 200 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.7 MB
Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/200 sek., ISO 400 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.6 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parametry: 35 mm, f/7.1, exp. 1/80 sek., ISO 400 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.6 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/6.3, exp. 1/50 sek., ISO 400 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 3.1 MB
Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/13, exp. 1/500 sek., ISO 400 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 3.5 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/7.1, exp. 1/125 sek., ISO 400 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.7 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 35 mm, f/9.0, exp. 1/125 sek., ISO 400 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.6 MB