Tokina AT-X PRO 20-35mm 1:2.8 235 AF Review

Produced from 2000 through 2007 for the Canon EF, EF-S, Sony A / Minolta A, Nikon F systems. In this review version for Nikon.  

Tokina AT-X PRO 20-35mm 1:2.8 235 AF Specifications

Focal length: 20-35mm
Aperture: f/ 2.8 — f/ 22
Weight (gr): 565
Length (mm): 85.5
Filter Ø (mm.): 77
Aperture blades: 8
Min. focus distance (m.): 0.25

Handling and Mechanics

The lens has a good build quality in the tradition of the PRO series Tokina. The lens has two rings—one zoom, which has rubber oblique notches. And one thing to focus on, with straight rubber notches. 

Ahead on the barrel has a bayonet mount for the lens hood. The lens comes with a plastic hood BH-773, pasted over with suede inside. Aperture control performs from the camera or manually. So that the camera is seen lens, so it is necessary to set the aperture ring to 22.  

Focus and zoom

The lens has an internal focus - when you rotate focus or zoom rings, elements move within the barrel. When zooming, the lens moves the rear element. The "20 mm" is closer to the sensor and moves away with increasing focus distance.

The lens has the ability to switch between automatic and manual focus quickly; the construct is called One-Touch Focus Clutch Mechanism; it is used in a series of lenses Tokina PRO. The focusing ring rotates 90 degrees. The front element not rotates.  

Tokina AT-X PRO 20-35mm 1:2.8 235 AF Sample Photos

All photos were taken on Nikon D3100, RAW export with minimal exposure correction.

Sharpness

A wide-open lens is a glow, even in the middle of the frame, with that in the close focusing glow more noticeable. 

20mm f/ 2.8

Sharpness test on infinity focus at 20mm. 100% crop of the previous image  

35mm f/ 2.8 

Sharpness test on infinity focus at 35mm. 100% crop of the previous image   As you can see from the test already with the value f / 3.2 sharpness is better, but the aperture f / 4 already has a good result. Chromatic aberration, which completely disappears at f / 4. The best sharpness is in the range of f / 10 - f / 14.   Now, look at the sharpness in the close focusing

26mm f/ 2.8 iso 400

100% crop of the previous image  

35mm f/ 2.8 iso 400

100% crop of the previous image   As you can see from the examples on the 35mm focal length sharpness a little better than 20mm, the glow is still there. At aperture 3.2, sharpness is better, and at f / 4 is already good sharpness.

35mm f/ 4

35mm f/ 4

24mm f/ 2.8

20mm f/ 2.8  

Contrast and color rendition

20mm f/ 14

20mm f/ 8  

The lens has good contrast. It copes well with backlighting but sometimes catches ghosts. 

20mm f / 5.6. Example of loss of contrast and flare in backlit 

20mm f/ 5

20mm f/ 8 A good perspective effect

 20mm f/ 8

20mm f/ 5.6

Distortion and vignetting

It's hard to judge about this on a full-frame because I used the lens on the DX camera Nikon D3100. And in this case, it is a good performance. 

20mm distortion sample.

Distance 2.5m

35mm distortion sample. Distance 2.5m

Personal experience

Despite the glow on wide open, the lens really likes. It easy to use, pleasant character, and natural colors. I like the color rendering greater than that of modern kit lenses. The focal range is suitable for sequential shooting in small rooms. Also, it is convenient to shoot reportages, cityscapes, and architecture. 

20mm f/ 8