Review by Klaus Schroiff and Markus Stamm, published July 2012

Introduction

The AT-X 50-135mm is the result of a cooperation between Tokina and Pentax, which leads to the interesting situation that a Pentax design is also available to users of competing systems. However, the Pentax and Tokina lenses are not completely identical, at least mechanically.

In this review we will have a look at how the lens performs on our current DX test camera, the Nikon D7000.

Typical for Tokina AT-X Pro lenses the mechanical quality is excellent thanks to a metal construction combined with smooth and even slightly damped zoom and focus rings. On the downside the metal body also means a comparatively heavy weight despite pretty compact dimensions. The lens also features a tripod collar that can be rotated, but not removed.

The front element has a special WP ("Water Proof") coating which is supposed to allow an easier cleaning from water drops or finger prints.

The Tokina still relies on a screw drive to move the focus group (which makes it incompatible also with the motorless entry-level Nikon DSLRs). Speed-wise this is not a problem because of a rather short focus path but AF operations are noticeable (noise-wise).

A classic Tokina feature is the one-touch focus clutch mechanism to switch between AF and MF by pushing/pulling the focus ring. This can be done in any focus position and works reasonably well, however it's a somewhat outdated approach.

The Tokina is a G-type lens, so it does not feature an aperture ring anymore.