Over the weekend, Tokina unveiled their new SZX Super Tele 400mm f/8 Reflex MF: a reflex/mirror lens for modern cameras that use a catadioptric design to achieve a super-compact, super-light, super-telephoto.
A catadioptric system combines mirrors and refracting elements into a single lens. This allows engineers to literally “fold” the optical path and magnify the image, shrinking the size of super-telephoto lenses by as much as 4 or 5x while simultaneously getting rid of chromatic aberration and while this type of lens system was abandoned a while back due to various limitations (fixed large apertures, lack of in-lens stabilization, donut-like Bokeh), Tokina is choosing now to make a comeback with the new 400mm.
The new SZX Super Tele 400mm f/8 Reflex MF is specifically targeted at Adventure and Travel photographers who are looking at packing light while maintaining quality. The lens weighs just 340g and is only 3 inches so it would fit right into the backpack and leave enough room for more stuff but with a fixed capture of f/8.0, and lack of in-lens stabilization, it’s imperative that whatever camera the lens is attached on has IBIS so that your images come out sharp at slower shutter speeds.
The Tokina 400mm f/8 Reflex MF will be available from August 7th and will be available in kits with lens mount adapters for Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E, Fuji X, and Micro 4/3 mounts.
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