2016
Tokina AT-X Macro 90 f2.5 - Meet the bokeh queen
After reading this great review of the lens, I decided to pick one up for an upcoming trip around Japan. It was also nice to finally add a macro lens to my vintage collection and get out there and shoot some bugs and flowers and other small things. Actually, the lens isn't a true 1:1 macro without the Tokina Macro Extender, which adds quite a bit to the price and size of the lens. So for now, 1:2 will have to do.
Tokina AT-X Macro 90 f2.5 specs (for FD breech mount):
Build quality/Handling (Very good/decent)
The lens is a dense and hefty chunk of metal and glass that appears to be well put together. The focus ring is wide and rubberized and works pretty smoothly on my copy, but the aperture ring is a little bit loose-feeling.
The Tokina is heavy but is actually fairly compact and isn't a bad fit for the Sony. Of course, once it's fully extended it is a bit unwieldily.
The focus throw is a quick 90° between infinity and 0.7 m which is nice for quick focusing but not great for fine tuning the accuracy. From 0.7 m to the minimum focus distance of 0.39 m, it's a further 180° which is great for achieving accurate focus when shooting macro.
Image Quality (Excellent)
The Tokina has a well-deserved reputation for excellent sharpness. My copy does not disappoint and is very sharp already at f2.5.
Tokina AT-X Macro 90 f2.5 specs (for FD breech mount):
- 8 elements in 7 groups
- Weight - 530 grams
- Length - 83 mm (105 mm with adapter, 145mm fully extended)
- Filter size - 55 mm
- Min. focus distance - 0.39 m
- Aperture - 8 blades, f2.5 to f4, f4 to f22 in half stops, f22 to f32
Build quality/Handling (Very good/decent)
The lens is a dense and hefty chunk of metal and glass that appears to be well put together. The focus ring is wide and rubberized and works pretty smoothly on my copy, but the aperture ring is a little bit loose-feeling.
The Tokina is heavy but is actually fairly compact and isn't a bad fit for the Sony. Of course, once it's fully extended it is a bit unwieldily.
The focus throw is a quick 90° between infinity and 0.7 m which is nice for quick focusing but not great for fine tuning the accuracy. From 0.7 m to the minimum focus distance of 0.39 m, it's a further 180° which is great for achieving accurate focus when shooting macro.
Image Quality (Excellent)
The Tokina has a well-deserved reputation for excellent sharpness. My copy does not disappoint and is very sharp already at f2.5.
on a6000 @ f2.5 (click for full resolution)
on a6000 @ f2.5 (click for full resolution)
on a6000 @ f2.5 (click for full resolution)
This lens is also sometimes nicknamed "the bokina" because of the high quality bokeh it produces. It's smooth, creamy stuff, and looks good even with messy backgrounds and with large separation between subject and background. The only 'flaw' is the sawtooth bokeh at f4 and f4.8.
|
|
f2.5
f4
|
f4
f4.8
|
Slight vignetting is visible at f2.5 but is basically gone by f4.
f2.5
f5.6
|
f4
f8
|
But it's not all great. CA wide open can be easily visible in some situations. In addition, flare resistance could be better. With the light source in the frame there's usually some ghosting, which can be fairly minor in some situations. However, there's pronounced veiling flare and loss of contrast with bright light just outside the angle of view. A lens hood is probably a good idea.
|
|
|
|
Conclusion
I really like this lens. It's got great built-quality and though it's a bit heavy, it's actually an ok fit for the Sony A7s. The image quality is mostly outstanding, especially the sharpness and the bokeh, but also the colour and contrast. It's a must-have for flower and insect lovers, but is also great as a short-telephoto portrait and landscape lens. However, I wish that the aperture would remain circular, not sawtoothed, at f4 and f4.8. Also, CA and flare could be better controlled. Still, this one is definitely a keeper and a pretty decent bang for your buck on the used market.
Related reviews
Sample Images
I really like this lens. It's got great built-quality and though it's a bit heavy, it's actually an ok fit for the Sony A7s. The image quality is mostly outstanding, especially the sharpness and the bokeh, but also the colour and contrast. It's a must-have for flower and insect lovers, but is also great as a short-telephoto portrait and landscape lens. However, I wish that the aperture would remain circular, not sawtoothed, at f4 and f4.8. Also, CA and flare could be better controlled. Still, this one is definitely a keeper and a pretty decent bang for your buck on the used market.
Related reviews
Sample Images
