The lens weighs just 20.1 ounces and boasts a chrome-plated lens mount and an all-metal zoom mechanism. Its sturdy heft is supplemented with a solid, textured feel to its zoom and focusing ring, the latter of which allows you to quickly switch back and forth between autofocus and manual focus by slightly pushing or pulling the focusing ring.

The image quality of this lens more than matches the construction and finish of its exterior. It includes two aspherical lens elements, special low-dispersion (SD) glass and multicoated optics to deliver not only sharp images, but also photographs with great color accuracy, even near the edges of the frame where chromatic aberration is typically most evident.

I used the lens while photographing a quinceañera, a coming-of-age ceremony for 15-year-old girls. The lighting in the church and the reception hall was less than ideal, but the lens’ constant ƒ/4 aperture allowed the camera to focus easily. I also appreciated the bright image in my viewfinder, which made it easier to compose images in areas of low light.

The quality of the enlargements I made from my images was excellent. Even with many shots taken at a moderate aperture, the sharpness of the lens was clearly evident. For less than $900, the Tokina AT-X 124 AF Pro DX offers an affordable wide-angle zoom range and delivers the sharpness and color accuracy needed for quality digital photography. List Price: $899.

Contact: THK Photo Products, (800) 421-1141, www.thkphoto.com.