Tokina announces opera 16-28mm F2.8 FF for top class DSLR cameras, FíRIN 100mm F2.8 FE MACRO for mirrorless cameras and improved atx-i 11-16mm F2.8 CF and atx-i 100mm F2.8 FF MACRO lenses.
Tokina releases FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF for mirrorless cameras and opera 50mm F1.4 FF for top class DSLR cameras.
Tokina FíRIN 20mm F2 FE MF-first Tokina lens for full frame mirrorless cameras lens is released.
Tokina AT-X 14-20 F2 PRO DX wide zoom lens for APS-C size cameras is released.
Tokina AT-X 11-20 F2.8 PRO DX new lens model for APS-C size cameras and Tokina AT-X 24-70mm F2.8 PRO FX lens model for full-frame DSLR cameras are launched.
Tokina AT-X 70-200 F4 PRO FX VCM-S lens, the first model for full-frame DSLR cameras with optical stabilization system, is launched.
In April, Tokina AT-X 12-28 F4 PRO DX new lens model for APS-C size cameras is released.
In June, Tokina Company merged with Kenko Company, resulting in the company changing its name into Kenko Tokina Co., Ltd., and the total annual revenue from sales is increased up to 20 billion Japanese yen.
A month before this event, the company announced the start sales of the Reflex 300mm F6.3 MF Macro mirror lens for the "Micro 3/4" system. Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX (11-16mm f/2.8) lens model is also apgraded to AT-X 116 PRO DXII (11-16mm f/2.8) lens.
Tokina AT-X 17-35 PRO FX, the second model for full-frame DSLR cameras, is launched.
In August, Tokina ATX 16-28 F2.8 PRO FX lens model, Tokina first lens for full-frame DSLR cameras, is launched.
In May, Tokina launches Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm F3.5 wide angle to telephoto lens model.
Tokina acquires TSS manufacturing company for the manufacture of rotary position platforms for security systems. Tokina also acquires SUN ENGINEERING Company and founds a base in Fukaya (Saitama Prefecture) for the production of components for video surveillance systems.
In the February of the same year, Tokina announces another hit and "strong suit" in its line: the Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX (11-16mm f/2.8) lens model. This wide-angle aperture lens for APS-C size cameras becomes popular in Japan and especially abroad, where video recording begins to be taken off by DSLR cameras. The lens fits nicely into a new market niche.
In November 2008, the upgraded AT-X 124 PRO DXII (12-24mm f/4) lens model comes with a built-in autofocus motor for Nikon mid-range and entry-level cameras.
Tokina AT-X 165 PRO (16-50mm f/2.8) lens model is launched in March and Tokina AT-X M35 PRO DX (35mm f/2.8 Macro) lens model in the December of the same year.
The company moves to a new head office in the Saitama Prefecture.
Tokina AT-X 107 DX Fisheye (10-17 f/3.5-4.5) lens model is launched in September and Tokina AT-X 535 PRO DX (50-135mm f/2.8) lens model in the October of the same year. Compared to 2005, the company’s sales increase by 1.5 times.
The new Tokina AT-X M100 PRO DX (100mm f/2.8 Macro) lens model is launched in the April of this year.
In November 2004, Tokina AT-X 124 PRO DX (12-24mm f/4) lens model is launched and becomes the first-ever model for APS-C size digital cameras with APS-C. It is sold at a more affordable price compared to the Nikon 12-24mm f/4 model, and its high quality features make this model instantly popular in the global market. In the photography market, this lens will hold a leading position until 2010.
With the advent of DSLR cameras, Nikon D100 and Canon D30 DSLR cameras are sold at an affordable price for amateur photographers, resulting in average incomes. Tokina thus begins researching on the development and production of lenses for digital cameras.
A Tokina subsidiary branch is founded in Changchun (China) for the production of CCTV lenses and quality control lines in factories.
In 1994 the company is absorbed by Kenko Company as a subsidiary company, and renames itself as Tokina Co., Ltd.
In the period of 1994-1996, Tokina also develops and launches a new series of AT-X PRO lenses (1994-2000): AT-X 270 AF PRO (28-70mm f/2.8), AT-X 828 AF PRO (80-200mm f/2.8), AT-X 840 AF (80-400mm f/4.5-5.6), AT-X 235 AF PRO (20-35mm f/2.8), AT-X 280 AF PRO (28-80mm f/2.8) and AT-X 242 AF (24-200mm f/3.5 -5.6). Moreover, a new series of lenses comes out with the EMZ 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6, 100-300mm f/5.6-6.7, 28-210mm f/3.5-5.6 and 100mm f/3.5 Macro lens models.
Tokina AF 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5, AF 70-210mm f/4-5.6 I&II, AF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5, AT-X 17mm f/3.5, AT-X 100mm f/2.8 Macro, AF 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 and AT-X 400mm f/5.6 lend models are available for sale.
Tokina launches Tokina 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 and 70-210mm f/3.5-4.5 (Canon EOS mount) lens models with built-in auto focus motor.
The photography market unleashes the competition between Minolta and Canon, which in this year announces the EOS 630 and 650 lens models with built-in AF motor. Tokina seeks to enter the market with its own under development autofocus system.
With the release of Minolta α7000, Tokina lenses are provided with a built-in autofocus motor.
A high-quality new series of AT-X lenses for professional photographic equipment was born in this year. Representatives of this series are some models such as Tokina 80-200mm f/2.8, 35-70 f/2.8, 24-40mm f/2.8, 90mm f/2.5 Macro, 35-200mm f/3.5-4.5, 28-135mm f/3.5-4.5, 100-300mm f/4 and 300mm f/2.8. Thus, Tokina enters the market of fast zoom lenses with a high magnifying power and registers the highest profit in the history of the company.
With the increasing popularity and demand of Tokina optics for SLR cameras, Tokina can secure its position on the market and thus releases the new Tokina 80-200mm f/4 and 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 lens models, with an explosive effect on the global photography market. In this year, Tokina 80-200mm f/4 lens is a million seller all over the world.
In this year, Tokina macro lenses sales significantly increased.
Tokina Macro Zoom Lens series starts to be one of the main productions from Tokina brand.
The company changes its name in Tokina Kougaku Co., Ltd.
Tokina 90-200mm f/4.5, that is Tokina’s first zoom lens was marketed this year.
In this year, the company debuts at Photokina international exhibition. In the same year, the Olympic Games are held in Tokyo.
In the sixties, the company starts up the production of its own lenses under Tokina brand. The company thus establishes itself as a manufacturer of optical lenses for SLR cameras. The first representative lens models to enter the market are Tokina 300mm f/5.5, 200mm f/4.5 and 135mm f/2.8.
After its restoration, the company resumes all its businesses in glass polishing and SLR lens assembly for other companies.
Tokyo Kouki manufacturing enterprise is founded in this year. The company main specialty is in glass polishing and in the mass production of lenses for film projectors. However, due to the development of the Pacific military conflict, the new born company experiences financial difficulties and has to cease its activities.