Tokina AT-X242AF	At a Glance Filter Size: 72mm Lens Hood: included Weight:  24.1oz Dimensions: 3.2" x 3.5" Front Rotate w/Focus: No Groups/Elements: 15/13 (2 SD) Close Focus: 2.9 feet Macro: No Mounts: Canon EOS, Minolta AF, Nikon-D, Pentax AF Other: Soft case included
Verdict: Thumbs Up

I’ve been shooting Tokina's ATX series of lenses for many years. Long before their recent 'Pro' series of lenses came on the market. I have always been impressed with their quality and their sharpness. Thanks much in part to computer technology, these lenses have only gotten better. The fact that I am a big fan of zoom lenses didn't hurt either when Tokina asked me to try the new 24-200mm f/3.5-5.6.

Wide-range zooms have become very popular with anyone wanting to travel light without all the bulk normally associated with carrying several lenses. Quite honestly, these lenses usually were a trade off of quality for convenience. Not any more, as far as I'm concerned this lens comes very well equipped optically. With two Aspherical elements and two SD Glass elements, sharpness doesn't suffer. It also has internal focusing and finally, a lens hood that’s a dream to use. As I've said before, maybe in an optical bench test you would see the difference in sharpness between it and a fixed focal length lenses, but I don't photograph benches!

My feeling is this; if you do your part, the lens will do its part!

I have been shooting with this lens now for six months and well over 200 rolls of film. I have photographed everything from mountains to rivers, harbor scenes to flowers and I am more impressed every day. Take a look at some of the images on my website shot with this lens. Sorry Tokina, you can't have it back!

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