Tokina SZX 500mm F8 MF for Nikon Z

I've used this lens many times now. Works best with bright objects like the moon or during daylight but you can use it on stars also. However, you need a very sturdy tripod.

Article bien fini, pas trop lourd ni encombrant. Livré dans mon cas avec un adaptateur M42 vers Nikon Z et avec un pare soleil vissant. La mise au point assistée de mon Nikon Z7 rend l'opération assez simple et précise. Comme prévu pour ce type d'objectifs le piqué est faible, surtout sur les bords ou cela devient carrément trouble. E mode DX on simule un 750 mm, en divisant la résolution par deux au passage. Le contraste est assez faible mais on peut en gagner en post-production. Le bohkey en donuts est assez particulier, ça peut plaire néanmoins à petite dose.Je pense que j'aurais été moins critique sur un appareil à capteur de 24Mpixels, le Z7 ne pardonnant pas les à peu près. A noter pour l'anecdote qu'on peut utiliser cet objectif comme un télescope en y fixant un oculaire. On trouve sur "thingie" des modèles 3D destinés à cet objectif. En résumé on en a pour son argent, c'est à dire qu'il ne faut pas être trop exigeant.

Als Reisetele ideal, da leicht und kompakt. Von der Schärfe sollte man nicht zu viel erwarten. Selbst Stativ und Nachbearbeiten bringen nicht das erhoffte Ergebnis. Ich werde mal einen Vollmond ablichten und sehen wie das wird. Vielleicht lege ich mir doch mal eine 400mm Festbrennweite direkt von Nikon zu. Sind mittlerweile wesentlich leichter und kompakter als früher.

If you are experienced with Reflex lenses, then you are already aware of the unique characteristics and features (some benefits, some "quirks" aka drawbacks) of these lenses -- a prime super-telephoto (400mm in FX, 600mm on DX); super compact, lightweight, a single Aperture (F8), Manual Focus, and unique out-of-focus characteristics, not always flattering and cluttered in some situations. But also creatively, can be quite interesting in certain applications. And as such, they are simpler to manufacture and can be priced aggressively.This lens features all those attributes. In practice, the MF is lovely, with a long throw, good resistance and feedback, clear barrel markings, and a Macro scale. And F/8 is a good overall compromise choice for light gathering at this price, but even so, F/8 is still shallow depth of field at 400mm. However, one feature I would like to see: there is no Infinity stop. So in practice, to focus on, say, a full moon, you need to work diligently with your MF capable camera features (like zoom in the EFV, focus peaking highlights, EVF or 3" or external monitor) to verify focus. And even when perfectly focused, this is not a "tack sharp" lens for still photography. Delayed shutter release will be valuable for you. This is no action or BIF lens, but useful in still life, landscape, possibly very slow moving wildlife.I think it is very good for softer focus, creative applications and in particular I love it for video. The long barrel MF is quite nice to use. And with the built-in stabilization on the Z6/Z7 you can get quite usable hand-held results. This was never possible with the prior Nikon 500mm F/8 Reflex and a DSLR, you pretty much had to use tripod 100% of the time.So this kit is very light, stable, and creative. The price is sharp. You won't always use it, you might be disappointed in some of the imagery, and might be better off shooting with a stellar 70-200mm lens and just cropping. But, if you need to be at 400mm, esp for video (and think Macro-style focus falloff) and can practice hand held or even a small support, you'll get value for money and good results from this lens in your kit.

Bought this mainly to take pictures of the moon. But the focus ring is so fine that getting my Nikon Z7ii to capture anything was frustrating even on a weighted tripod for stability. Plus this is suppose to be for full frame Z mount, but the vignetting around the corners is horrendously ridiculous.Had to reduce the FX sensor to DX to reduce 75% of it, but was still noticeable.Going to return it soon