Tokina

The camera and lens industry has evolved rapidly and many firms have had to adjust in order to survive. Some leave traditional photography to the wayside and go purely digital, some specialize, and some brands provide the kinds of supplementary tools and products that make photography and videography more successful. The Tokina brand is one such group, and though it has been making lenses since the 1950s, it has since become a major name in both photographic lenses and CCTV equipment.

The History of Tokina

It began in Tokyo in 1950 when the Tokyo Optical Equipment Manufacturing firm was started. At that time, it was similar to other firms of this kind, making binoculars, microscopes and specialized optics for export. However, the 1950s were also an era in which photography became a far more affordable and popular past time. To accommodate the consumer and professional demands, the firm began to also product a full range of photographic and optical products, including filters.

Today, the firm reigns as the #1 producer of camera products and telescopes in Japan. However, the original company is now a subsidiary. What was the Tokyo Optical Equipment Manufacturing became Kenko Tokina Co. LTD, and Tokina is actually a division of this group.

Partnered with Pentax (which is itself a division of Ricoh), the companies collaborated to craft some of the highest quality lenses for modern DSLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras. According to Tokina, they are noted particularly for their "fast glass" which allows models like their ATX-116 PRO DX to operate with an 11-16mm lens with an aperture capability of f/2.8.

Lenses crafted within this partnership have the Pentax brand name and use the universally preferred Pentax K mount. When they are branded Tokina, they use all other lens mounts.

The Tokina Products

Currently, the firm has a list of high quality lenses available. They are:

• AT-X Pro FX Series - The lenses in this series include the AT-X 16-28mm f/2.8 Pro FX, a wide angle zoom that is AF 16-28mm f/2.8 - with mounts for Canon and Nikon full frame models. The AT-X 17-35mm F4 Pro FX, a wide angle zoom that features AF 17-35mm f/4.0 performance- with mounts for Canon and Nikon full frame models. And the final option in the series is the AT-X 70-200mm f/4 FX VCM-S telephoto zoom that is an AF 70-200mm f/4 lens- with mounts for Nikon full frame models.
• AT-X Pro Series - The lenses in this series include the AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 Pro DX which is a wide angle zoom, for Canon and Nikon mounts. The AT-X 116 Pro DX II which is also a wide angle zoom with a Canon APS-C, Nikon APS-C and Sony Alpha APS-C mounts. It features an AF 11-16mm f/2.8 function. The AT-X 116 Pro DX V with Canon APS-C and Nikon APS-C mounts. It is an AF 11-16mm f/2.8 wide angle zoom. The AT-X 12-28 Pro DX wide angle zoom with Canon APS-C and Nikon APS-C mounts. It is an AF 12-28mm f/4 lens. The AT-X 12-28 Pro DX V wide angle zoom with Canon APS-C mounts. It is an AF 12-28mm f/4 lens. And the AT-X M100 AF Pro D Macro lens with Canon Full Frame, Nikon Full Frame, Canon APS-C, and Nikon APS-C mounts. It is an AF 100mm f/2.8 lens
• AT-X Series - The lenses in this group include the AT-X 107 AF DX Fisheye that features Canon APS-C or Nikon APS-C mounts. It is an AF 10- 17mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. And the the AT-X 107 AF DX NH Fisheye that features Canon Full Frame, Nikon Full Frame, Canon APS-C, or Nikon APS-C mounts. It is an AF 10- 17mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.
• Reflex 300mm F6.3 MF Macro - A 55mm lens that offers up AF 300mm f/6.3 performance

With a motto like "where imagination finds focus," and so much experience and history in the world of optics, the Tokina lenses are a must have for the savvy photographer. Using premium design and adaptable to the very best brands of digital cameras, they are high performance lenses that can help even a beginner to greatly enhance their control and results in camera work. When you need a lens for a modern camera, trust the Tokina brand.

Source

TokinaLense.com. Products. http://www.tokinalens.com/tokina/products