Which is lighter, the Tamron SP AF 28-105 mm f/2.8 LD Aspherical IF or the Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8?

The Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8 weighs 760 g, 115 g less than the Tamron SP AF 28-105 mm f/2.8 LD Aspherical IF (875 g).

Which focuses closer, the Tamron SP AF 28-105 mm f/2.8 LD Aspherical IF or the Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8?

The Tamron SP AF 28-105 mm f/2.8 LD Aspherical IF focuses down to 0.49 m, against 0.7 m for the Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8.

Is the Tamron SP AF 28-105 mm f/2.8 LD Aspherical IF or the Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8 better for street photography?

For street photography, the Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8 has the edge: it is 115 g lighter to carry.

Is the Tamron SP AF 28-105 mm f/2.8 LD Aspherical IF or the Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8 better for travel?

For travel, the Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8 has the edge: it is 115 g lighter to carry.

§ 03 Head to head

Tamron SP AF 28-105 mm f/2.8 LD Aspherical IF vs Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8

Tamron 28–105mm f/2.8 has a longer reach. Tokina 28–70mm f/2.8 is 115 g lighter.

Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Tamron SP AF 28-105 mm f/2.8 LD Aspherical IF is a 28–105mm f/2.8 zoom, and the Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8 is a 28–70mm f/2.8 zoom. On paper they trade blows, with 3 advantages each.

Add a third lens →

Tamron SP AF 28-105 mm f/2.8 LD Aspherical IF

f/2.8 · 28–105mm · 875 g

Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8

f/2.8 · 28–70mm · 760 g

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Tamron SP AF 28-105 mm f/2.8 LD Aspherical IF better than the Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8?

Longer reach (105mm vs 70mm)
Focuses 21 cm closer (0.49 m vs 0.7 m)
More aperture blades (9 vs 8)

Why is the Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8 better than the Tamron SP AF 28-105 mm f/2.8 LD Aspherical IF?

115 g lighter (760 g vs 875 g)
Has a physical aperture ring
Smaller filter thread (77 mm vs 82 mm)

Which should you buy?

By use

street For street photography, the Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8 has the edge: it is 115 g lighter to carry.
travel For travel, the Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8 has the edge: it is 115 g lighter to carry.

Specification

15 rows · better value flagged ◆

Specification	Tamron SP AF 28-105 mm f/2.8 LD Aspherical IF	Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8
Focal length	28–105mm	28–70mm
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22
Lens type	Zoom lens	Zoom lens
Format	Full frame	Full frame
Weight	875 g	760 g (26.81 oz) ◆
Dimensions	111.8 x 86.4 mm	80 x 110 mm
Minimum focusing distance	0.49 m ◆	0.7 m (27.56 inches)
Image stabilization	No	—
Aperture ring	No	Yes
Aperture blades	9 ◆	8
Optical construction	15 elements / 13 groups	16 elements / 12 groups
Filter size	82 mm	77 mm ◆
Lens mount	Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A	Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sony A
Released	2000	—

Size

Drawn to relative scale

A · Tamron
B · Tokina

111.8 × 86.4 mm
110 × 80 mm

The Tamron SP AF 28-105 mm f/2.8 LD Aspherical IF is 2 mm longer and 115 g heavier than the Tokina AT-X PRO AF-II 28-70 mm f/2.6-2.8.

Sample frames

Shot on each lens