Verdict: This sturdy macro lens takes great close ups. It’s lightweight and has a push/pull design so you can easily switch between manual and auto-focus. It’s super sharp but it does have a little softness around the edges and it doesn’t have any stabilisation.
Coming in as a budget-friendly option, this Tokina macro lens is ideal for either 1:1 close-ups or everyday telephoto use. When mounted on an APS-C sensor, it offers a 150/160mm focal length, with a wide f/2.8 maximum aperture.
The construction here is solid, and it definitely belies the sub-£400 price-tag. The plastic finish is sturdy and the large focus ring is chunky and smooth to operate, even utilising a push/pull design to switch between manual and autofocus on the fly. It packs in 9 elements in 8 groups, and a switch which allows you to limit the focus, perfect to cut down on pesky AF hunting.
The sharpness of this lens, while not the best in test, is still very respectable. Wide open, at f/2.8, the centre is pleasingly sharp, though the corners are a little softer than others in test. By the time you move up the aperture to f/5.6, the sharpness really comes into its own, with the sweet spot laying between f/5.6 and f/11. We also noticed slight chromatic aberration, though this is easily edited out.
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Spec
Min aperture: f/32
Max aperture: f/2.8
Elements: 9/8
Filter size: 55mm
Min focusing distance: 30cm
DxH: 74x95mm
Weight: 540g
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Kirk Schwarz is a tech-addicted photographer with over a decade's experience; Kirk’s used to putting new gear through extreme field testing. He's previously written for Practical Photography.