Tokina AT-X Pro 70-200mm f/4 VCM-S
This morning, Kenko-Tokina Japan announced a new image-stabilized telephoto zoom, the AT-X Pro 70-200mm f/4 FX VCM-S. The lens has still not been announced internationally, so information is a little sparse, but the basics are clear: it’s a stabilized lens, offering about 4-stops worth of stabilization, with a fast, ring-type USM-style focusing motor. Its design includes 19 elements in 14 groups, and it weighs 980 grams (2 lb. 2.5 oz.).
Currently, the lens is only scheduled to be released in Nikon mount, though that will probably change in the future.
For sample images, visit http://www.kenko-tokina.co.jp/tokina/atx70-200.html#w08 . I recommend taking a look at the owl image and mousing over the details; the optical quality looks to be at a very high standard.
Things get a little weird when it comes to the price, though. According to the site, the MSR price is expected to be ¥150,000, which is about $1475 US dollars. That price is significantly higher than Canon’s 70-200 f/4L IS USM ($1350) and Tamron’s 70-200 f/2.8 VC USD ($1440), both of which are already very highly rated.
It may be that the street price will be less, however; the popular Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 zoom has an MSRP of ¥118,000, about $1160, but retails in the US for $624, just over 53% of the MSRP. Similarly, the Tokina 12-28 f/4 has an MSRP of 90,000 yen ($886), but sells in the US for $449, approximately 50% of MSRP.
If this trend holds up, we can expect the Tokina AT-X 70-200mm f/4 to have a street price of between $737 and $781, making this a VERY attractive lens. That said, the more recent Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 II also has an MSRP of 90,000 yen, but sells for about $525 in the USA, a difference of 60%. If that is a better model, we’d expect the new 70-200 to cost closer to $880-900. Still a good price.
