Tokina SZX 400mm f8 Review (that bokeh though!)

In this video, Fred reviews the Tokina SZX 400mm F8 lens.
He covers the quality and portability of this 400mm lens and the unique shots it can capture.
You can read more on the lens here:
www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/toki...

[@darylnd]

TL;DR: I'm buying one. I'm finding use for longer focal lengths than the 200mm (350m equivalent if I crop to APS-C dimensions) in my kit. A compact, lightweight, inexpensive, high-quality option is just what I need.
Back when I had fewer years, less waist, and more hair, I had a 500mm f8 reflex for my Nikon FE. I used the lens mostly to shoot motorcycle races. Nikon made a native 500mm reflex, but mine was an aftermarket. It had a universal mount. Filters were inserted into a compartment at the rear of the lens. The Tokina's 67mm thread comports with most of my Sony lens collection. I wouldn't use a UV filter on it, because there are enough reflections bouncing around inside the lens without adding some that aren't part of the lens's design (and if you're using a UV filter on digital, write yourself a memo explaining why: sensors don't react to UV the way film does). Sinc ethe lens has a fixed aperture of f8, ND filters will come in handy.
Sharpness. Unlike my dear, departed Nikon FE, digital cameras don't have great manual focusing aids: they don't, they don't, they don't (the exception being the Leica M). Don't expect to nail your shots right out of the box: put in some practice time. Reflex lenses are softer in the center than they are off-center, the opposite of what we expect, so work your compositions accordingly. For that reason, I'd be leery of using a full-frame reflex lens on APS-C or m43.
That music though!

[@MamaLifeBre]

I have one purely as a novelty, it's tricky to use but possible to capture some cool images with it

[@hasselbladexpert]

Awesome data, thank you for sharing dear nice ❤️❤️

[@clifton-cameras]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaelwolff3412]

Have you tried the new 400mm f8 N II S model? How does it compare to this reviewed lens?

[@LebronPhoto1]

I actually like the donut bokeh. Not great for all images, but interesting at times. It's kind of like the bokeh of a Trioplan, kind of unique and out there. Using a stabilized camera body, you can have IS with this or any lens.

[@robinlee5744]

Well it certainly has my attention. I need something relatively light,

[@petekemp4574]

Just searched for it and was literally about to buy one but... Pentax... Poor show !!

[@AndreBerg99]

Nice Video! For me (as a none-native-englishspeaker) you are sometimes not understandable... sounds like you are mumbling... but the pictures speak for themselves ;-)

[@TheOzpromoman]

So far disappointed, I'll continue to persevere but be careful. The only thing it has going for it is the price!

[@lepidoptera9337]

So you wasted money that you could have used to buy an actually working lens. Cool. Not.

[@clifton-cameras]

How are you getting on with the lens now Malcolm?

[@MalcolmHillErina]

@@clifton-cameras I'm still not enjoying it I'm afraid and it's moved to the back of the cupboard! It's just not right for me, too hard to keep focused. Shame cos it looks nice has a good build and was pretty cheap. A desk ornament maybe? Thanks for asking. ;-)

[@markheeney5502]

Would have been more interesting if you turned the lights on so wecould see it better. It might look an arty production but not great to watch. Come on, it's a photo video channel!

[@clifton-cameras]

Thanks for the tip Mark, noted!

[@maircraft4079]

Too snooty, artsy-fartsy, lacking any real technical test content. Images are soft and low contrast. Video is a sales gimmick for the unsuspecting buyer not a lens review.