For full-frame film shooters, one of the most popular lenses is the highspeed 70-210mm zoom, suited to most typical photo subjects. No surprise, then, that lensmakers are now offering a spate of (approximately) 50-150mm digital-only zooms, the modern-day digital equivalent. At less than 2 pounds, Tokina's professional version, its 50-135mm f/2.8 Pro DX ($800, street), is lighter and more compact than traditional full-frame f/2.8 zooms. With multiple SD glass elements to better control chromatic aberration, it's the first Tokina with an easy-cleaning WP glass coating. As befits a pro-caliber tool, it has a tough, all-metal construction. Though long, the barrel cast no shadow when we used our test camera's built-in flash. The large, knurled manual-focusing ring incorporates a push/pull AF/Manual clutch and is nicely sized, smooth-turning, and very well damped. Focusing scales are behind a small plastic window; metric readouts are somewhat difficult to read. AF action was quiet but slow. (Because the Nikon-mount version relies on the camera's AF motor, autofocus doesn't work on the Nikon D40, which lacks an internal AF motor. See this month's Editorial for more.) The ribbed, rubberized zoom collar is amply proportioned, well damped, and smooth-turning, with large, clean focal length markings. The lens is internal-focusing, so it works well with most lensmounted filters and flash systems. Its built-in tripod collar, which unfortunately is not removable, rotates freely. Finally, it comes with a large, reversemounting, petal-type shade that's lined in black flocking to suppress reflections.
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