Tokina ATX PRO 28-70mm f/2.6-2.8

Tokina ATX PRO 28-70mm f/2.6-2.8 – Is It Really an Angenieux in Disguise?

The Tokina ATX PRO 28-70mm f/2.6-2.8 is a lens that’s gained a near-mythical reputation over the years. Whispered in photography forums, praised in video reviews, and sold for prices that raise an eyebrow, it’s often touted as "the Tokina designed by Angenieux." But is it really? Or is this just one of those stories that grew over time into internet folklore?

I may be risking my street cred in the camera enthusiast world by questioning it, but let’s dig into this lens and the supposed Angenieux connection.

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### The Hype and the Heritage

There’s no doubt this lens has built a solid reputation. It’s fast, sharp, beautifully built, and delivers pleasing contrast and colour. With a constant f/2.6-2.8 aperture and a useful 28-70mm focal range, it’s been a popular choice for both stills and video shooters who want a versatile standard zoom with vintage charm.

But where things get murky is in the origin story.

You’ll often hear people say it’s based on or even designed by Angenieux—a legendary French optics manufacturer known for its cinematic glass. The claim seems to give the Tokina a touch of cinematic pedigree. It’s said to share some design lineage with a previous Angenieux-made lens for Nikon mounts in the 1980s. And while there might be some connection in terms of licensing or design inspiration, it’s incredibly difficult to find anything concrete.

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### A Research Rabbit Hole

I’ve spent the last few weeks falling down the research rabbit hole—combing through forums, archived web pages, vintage magazine clippings, and even Google Books for old issues of Practical Photographer. There are hints, vague references, and some people swearing up and down that the connection is real, but nobody seems to have an official source or direct quote from Tokina or Angenieux to confirm it.

It’s possible there was some sort of early collaboration or that Tokina licensed certain design elements, but we may never know the full story. Still, that hasn’t stopped sellers from using the Angenieux name as a selling point, often commanding prices of £500 or more for a lens that was once a modest mid-range zoom.

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### Performance First, Provenance Second

Here’s the thing—even if it’s not directly descended from Angenieux, this lens is still excellent. It delivers great optical quality, especially for its era, with decent sharpness wide open and fantastic results when stopped down slightly. The build quality is solid, with a reassuring heft and smooth zoom action.

For photographers and videographers looking for a vintage lens with character, this one absolutely delivers. Just don’t buy it solely for the Angenieux connection unless you’re happy embracing a bit of mystery along with your glass.

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### Final Thoughts

Whether or not the Tokina ATX PRO 28-70mm f/2.6-2.8 was truly touched by the hand of Angenieux may remain an unsolved mystery. But in the end, its reputation is built on real-world performance, not just rumours. If you have any official information about its origins—or even a credible source that confirms or debunks the Angenieux connection—I'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment or send a link my way.

Sometimes, the story behind the gear is just as interesting as the results it produces.

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### Tokina ATX PRO 28-70mm f/2.6-2.8 Specifications

- Focal Length: 28-70mm

- Maximum Aperture: f/2.6-2.8

- Lens Mounts Available: Nikon F, Canon EF, Pentax K, Minolta A

- Optical Design: 16 elements in 13 groups (design similarities to older Angenieux zooms have been noted)

- Minimum Focus Distance: Approximately 0.7m

- Diaphragm Blades: 8

- Filter Thread Size: 77mm

- Weight: Approx. 850g

- Build: Metal construction, internal focusing (varies by version)

- Focus Type: Manual focus with some autofocus support depending on mount

Note: Specifications may vary slightly depending on the production batch or lens mount.