One benefit typical to the reflex lens design is the elimination of chromatic aberrations. After some minor tweaking in editing to bring back contrast in photos, it’s hard to complain when that’s all it really needs. That said, Tokina SZX 400mm holds up quite well for the cash spent. I never assumed this lens to be wildly sharp with stellar contrast and clarity, and sure enough, it doesn’t go that far. For a $250 400mm lens, the image quality ended up exceeding my expectations. Inside, the lens uses six elements in five groups and has multi-layered anti-reflective coatings. The removable camera mount can be replaced with other available camera mounts from Tokina. Mounts are available to be purchased independently for Canon EF and RF, Nikon F and Z, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, and Sony E.
![photox sun reflex photox sun reflex](http://images.esellerpro.com/2189/I/296/583/13195-Lazer-Bayamo-Reflex-Motorcycle-Helmet-Fluo-Yellow-Black-Red-1600-3.jpg)
However, if down the line I get into the Canon mirrorless system, I simply purchase the $29 RF mount, swap them out, and the lens comes with me. For this review, I’ve been using the Sony E-mount version. That’s right: the camera mount end can unscrew off and be replaced with any of the other supported mounts that are sold separately. On a positive note, Tokina designed the SZX 400mm to have interchangeable camera mounts. Thirdly, one cannot use filters and the lens hood at the same time as they require the same threading. Secondly, when the lens hood is attached, that means the supplied lens cap cannot be clipped on at the same time. Instead, it will need to be wrapped unsecured around the lens. For one, the lens hood cannot be reversed and attached to save room in the bag.
![photox sun reflex photox sun reflex](https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/6c910e79-7548-4ae0-86a8-d230e9f7665a.dfb87988c5ca84685ef1f052e7927df3.jpeg)
The metal hood screws right onto the lens’s 67mm filter threads and creates a few problems in doing so. Right: Lens at close focus distance.Īnother point that I think many will agree with me on is that the lens hood design is not good. As the focus moves from infinity toward the close focus distance of 3.77 feet (1.15 meters), the physical length of the lens also extends out up to around 0.75 inches (1.91 centimeters). While it allows for gentle, precise movements, it pays for this by being slow to focus greater distances.įor wildlife, I found it to be irksome having to twist so much in order to focus from subjects near to far and back again - I cannot sweep the focus range in a single twist of my left hand while holding the camera steady in the other. The focus ring twists a very smooth 270 degrees that you’re either going to love or hate.
![photox sun reflex photox sun reflex](https://live.staticflickr.com/2702/4433349725_83ccc7736c.jpg)
Virtually the entire lens rotates and acts as the focus ring, but there is a wide strip of rubber as well to allow for a better grip.
#PHOTOX SUN REFLEX FULL#
Looking at the full lens, we see a very simple metal construction on the outside. This round shape that sits in the center of the lens shows up in the out of focus areas of a photo for a distinct look that we’ll see below. Finally, they have a weird-looking front glass element because of the mirror system inside. That means that this f/8 lens is only an f/8 lens and cannot be stopped down further without the use of neutral density filters or other external means.
#PHOTOX SUN REFLEX MANUAL#
Most all of these lenses, including this SZX 400mm, do not have autofocus and are manual focus only. For reflex lenses, the path is folded by an internal mirror which makes it possible to have long focal lengths contained in a relatively small housing. With regular photography lenses, the light enters and travels down the optical path right to the camera’s sensor. This general design has been around for a very long time, going back to the 1800s when it was first developed for microscopes.
![photox sun reflex photox sun reflex](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2940/14694476264_7cd268e3db_k_d.jpg)
While Tokina originally announced the lens in July of 2020, it recently also added support for Canon RF and Nikon Z mounts, making it available in just about every major popular lens mount outside of L-mount.Īs a preface, the Tokina SZX 400mm f/8 is what’s called a mirror lens or a reflex lens (or if you want to sound like a real nerd: a catadioptric lens).