The
Tokina AT-X M100 Pro D
100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens
by Don McVey
username:
DWM
Nikonian in the USA
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INTRODUCTION
For
about a month I've been shopping for a macro lens. I need to set
the stage for some of my comments and comparisons by saying that
initially I was looking at the 150mm Sigma or 180mm Tamron models
to get longer working distance. After being unsatisfied with their
performance for one reason or another I decided to try a lens
from a different manufacturer in the 100mm range. That lens is
the new Tokina AT-X M100 AF Pro D 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. I thought
I'd share a bit about this lens and why I decided on this lens.
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Tokina
AT-X M100 AF Pro D 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens |
Tokina
had not produced a macro lens for several years. This new lens
is “digitally enabled” in that it has new lens coatings,
particularly on the rear element, to deal with the reflections
from digital sensors.
It
is a full size lens, fully capable of being used on film
as well as in digital. It is an external focus and the front
element extends substantially when focusing at 1:1.
In
my testing I used a D70 with its APS-C sized sensor so I
can’t judge how well it will perform at the edges
on a film or full size sensor SLR.
My
overall impression of the lens is that it is essentially
an updated version of its previous model -long discontinued-
now closer to the Micro Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D AF. The design
features of the two lenses are very similar. |
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Specifications
are as follows:
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Tokina
AT-X M100 AF Pro D |
Tokina
AT-X M100 AF |
105mm
f/2.8D AF Micro Nikkor |
Lens
construction
Elements / Groups |
9
/ 8 |
11
/ 10 |
9
/ 8 |
| Diagonal
angle of view
On a 35mm frame |
24°30' |
24°30' |
23°20' |
| Closest
focusing distance from image plane |
11.8
in - 30cm |
13.8
in - 35cm |
12.2
in - 31cm |
Max
Magnification Ratio |
1:1 |
1:2 |
1:1 |
Aperture
range |
f/2.8~f/32 |
f/2.8~f/32 |
f/2.8~f/32 |
Number
of diaphragm blades
|
9 |
9 |
7 |
| Filter
size |
55mm |
55mm |
52mm |
| External
diameter |
2.9
in - 73mm |
2.7
in - 69mm |
3
in - 75mm |
| Length |
3.74
in - 95.1mm |
3.2
in - 97.5mm |
4.1
in - 104.5cm |
| Weight |
19.0
oz - 540g |
19.2 oz - 550g |
19.7
oz - 560g |
| Hood |
Dedicated |
SH554 |
HS-7 |
| Street
price (USA, USD) |
$390 |
$300 |
$660 |
The
Pro D comes with a plastic round (not petal) bayonet mount lens
hood and a three year warranty.
SUBJECTIVE QUALITY AND HANDLING
In
comparison to other midrange macro lenses, this one is heavy,
and at 19 oz. weighs close to the Micro Nikkor 105mm at 19.7 oz.
This compares with 14.3 oz for the Tamron 90mm macro and 16.1
oz for the Sigma 105mm macro. Going to either of the long macros
I looked at would take you to about 33 oz, a significant increase
in weight. Those longer lenses are a lot harder to handle, but
for someone who needs the working distance or narrower field of
view they may be worth it. The front element is inset so deeply
that there seems little reason to ever use the included lens hood.
This tends to diminish the advantage of a longer lens that must
have a four inch lens hood on all the time.
The build quality seems very good. The lenses that Tokina designates
as Pro, such as the highly regarded AT-X
124 AF PRO DX 12mm-24mm f/4 zoom, are more solid than the
typical consumer models. Although there is plenty of plastic used
it does not feel cheap, party due to the weight. It has a crinkle
finish on the barrel and the focus grip is nicely grooved solid
rubber. Focus is smooth and well dampened. You push or pull the
focus ring forward or back to go from auto focus to manual focus,
which is more convenient than the Nikkor where you push in a button
and turn a separate ring on the lens. It does tend to make the
lens bounce a bit when you go from one mode to the other.
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