tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8553095084714187596.post6376340822284795748..comments2024-03-14T02:18:24.229-05:00Comments on Making Not Taking: Tokina 90mm f/2.5 AT-X Macro - The "Bokina"Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04654023154516839425noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8553095084714187596.post-45278850513397894482010-07-07T18:00:28.251-05:002010-07-07T18:00:28.251-05:00I've just received the K3 screen from focusing...I've just received the K3 screen from focusingscreen.com for couple of days. With fast lenses, it seems to be brighter than the standard screen for the D300 and has pretty even illumination between the focusing aid center and surrounding area. This helps with calibrating the light metering system. But with slow lenses, the center areas stay brighter while the surrounding gets darkened more causing complication with light metering. In any case, manual focusing is really heaven! You can actually see the real bokeh of the lens as well as the pop when subjects going in and out of focus.<br /><br />I decided to buy this K3 screen after trying out one of the pretty much useless - dark, uneven illumination and inaccurate focus indication of both the focusing aids and the whole screen - cheap Chinese screens on ebay. You can check out some reviews/opinions <a href="http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-camera-field-accessories/73353-some-pentax-focusing-screens.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>. I actually tried to buy the Canon Ec-L screen, but they ran out of all Canon ones for the D300. For the D700, I'd get one of the F6 screens as they were design by Nikon for their matrix metering system.TNThttp://notyet.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8553095084714187596.post-56220813418972598412010-07-05T22:03:10.881-05:002010-07-05T22:03:10.881-05:00TNT -
I must have checked KEH at the right time b...TNT -<br /><br />I must have checked KEH at the right time because one was listed and it arrived promptly after clicking "add to cart".<br /><br />Regarding your comment on the dust, it seems this is a common issue with the Vivitar S1 90mm. I have owned 2 copies and while being in excellent physical condition, both contained a layer of dust. The copy I used for the test shots doesn't have a thick layer, but it is definitely more present than extremely minute dust that resides in a "clean" lens.<br /><br />Thanks for adding your thoughts and experiences! I concur that the Tokina's build is no match for the Vivitar. Though the dampening on my Tokina is nice and smooth, it still doesn't feel as precise as the S1.<br /><br />I don't use a manual focusing screen...yet. I am looking forward to getting one. Any suggestions?Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04654023154516839425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8553095084714187596.post-21341573483586232852010-07-04T11:10:52.112-05:002010-07-04T11:10:52.112-05:00How did you find it on KEH? I've looked there ...How did you find it on KEH? I've looked there regularly an never seen one, yet. eBay's normally high, but it's still possible to get good deals on it. I've got the S1 for $120 and the AT-X for about $200 (I even forgot to bid on one that sold for about $225).<br /><br />I found out the low contrast and veiling flare of the S1 was caused by at least two thick layers of dust on the inside elements. Under lower light levels, the two lenses have pretty close contrast quality. CA seems to be the same for JPEGs on the D300, but highlight bokeh is definitely different at f4 only where the AT-X aperture blades are shorter and do not come completely together to create a full octagon but star shape-ish. This result in a distinct non-round highlight bokeh while the S1's is much smoother, rounder. Mechanically, the AT-X is no match to the S1. Beside built quality, the S1 operates much more smooth and precise while the AT-X's focusing ring is a little over dampened, not as precise and a bit uneven. At least my (mint) copy does. May be I'll look for another one ;-)<br /><br />BTW, do you use any manual focusing screen?TNThttp://none.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8553095084714187596.post-49896390086904669222010-06-23T07:49:52.215-05:002010-06-23T07:49:52.215-05:00I too got curious regarding the relation between T...I too got curious regarding the relation between Tokina and Vivitar 90mm Macro lenses. One way to tell is through the Vivitar manufacture serial numbers. If the number starts with a 37XXXXXX then it is manufactured by Tokina. Here is the link reference to Vivitar's serial numbers http://www.cameraquest.com/VivLensManuf.htm<br />David, great web site.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09246764039135851477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8553095084714187596.post-26144186877069201662010-05-31T02:38:45.503-05:002010-05-31T02:38:45.503-05:00I love the dog getting peed on. And your spider of...I love the dog getting peed on. And your spider of course. It goes without saying that your exceptional knowledge impresses me, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8553095084714187596.post-15628710527044734432010-05-29T01:15:24.031-05:002010-05-29T01:15:24.031-05:00I have actually noticed the Tokina is considerably...I have actually noticed the Tokina is considerably better concerning flare! My first indication was how well it performed under strobes. The Vivitar S1 tends to flare easily when I attempt to shoot into a light tent or using any strobes really (always with a Hood, I use the Tokina 90mm hood via a home-made adapter). The Tokina on the other hand performs more closely to my newer macros like the Tokina 100mm. The images are bold, contrasty, and sharp as ever!<br /><br />And I actually got this one from KEH! But I was bidding on those as well, so we both lost, haha!Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04654023154516839425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8553095084714187596.post-3182549902608011052010-05-29T01:07:12.596-05:002010-05-29T01:07:12.596-05:00I surmise you outbid me in one of the auctions ear...I surmise you outbid me in one of the auctions earlier this month ;-) How does this compare to the Series 1 version? Shouldn't be too much different, but Tokina seemed to have used different coating on their own brand. Wonder if that improved on the flare aspect much, if at all? The Series 1 loses too much contrast with just a little contra light.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com