24mm manual focus lens recommendations

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v_roma

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EDIT: Broadned the range to 21 to 28mm. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I was hoping to get some recommendations on a 21mm to 28mm MF lenses. I intend to use it on a Canon dSLR (sorry!) to replace a cheap 24mm Canon AF lens, which was not worth the money (you get what you pay for, I know). I don't need the AF so was hoping that a MF lens + adapter might get me a better lens for the money. Here are my general criteria:
  • 21 to 28mm (24, 21, 28 in order of preference)
  • Around $200
  • f3.5 at the most, would prefer f2.8 or f2.0 though f2.0 may be too much to ask for what I am prepared to pay.
  • For an APS-C sensor so not too worried about vignetting or corner sharpness.
  • Looking for sharpness+contrast more than bokeh.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I think you can get the Zuiko 2.8 for probably closer to $300 but are there other less expensive options I should look into.

Thank you,
Vasco
 
Olympus 24mm f2.8 is 200 in KEH EX condition, not 300.

The OM 21 3.5 is is 300, and you get a 21. These are the two options I would consider most serioulsy.
 
Some of the more obscure makes can be very good, and very cheap in 28mm: Elicar, Vivitar (specific versions), Sigma mini-wide 24 and 28mm. What are you looking for: ultra sharpness, "character", nice bokeh?
 
If you want to spend the extra dough the Zuiko f2/28mm is fantastic. I use it on My 5Dii.
I used to own the Zeiss Contax "Hollywood" f2/28mm. The Zuiko tested so close in performance I sold it and kept the dough.
It's that good and usually around $300 so only a third the price of the zeiss.
The 3.5/21 is another killer for the price. Don't hesitate on the slower speed with this wide of a lens.
Get a good adapter from seller happypagehk on ebay. They usually use a brass "Kindai" ring for the actual mechanical adaption and their own custom user programable chip (af confirm fine tune-able).
I've been very happy with their adapters and not so much with any others.
 
Zuikologist,

Definitely sharpness and contrast over bokeh/character.

Thanks!

zuikologist said:
Some of the more obscure makes can be very good, and very cheap in 28mm: Elicar, Vivitar (specific versions), Sigma mini-wide 24 and 28mm. What are you looking for: ultra sharpness, "character", nice bokeh?
Click to expand...
 
Thanks. I'll take a closer look later but, unless I'm looking at the wrong lens, they do not see easy to find and maybe go for more than $200?

rbelyell said:
i would also strongly recommend the yashica ml 24/2.8, c/y mount. i loved it on my 5d.
tony
Click to expand...
 
If you have a software for CA, then the 24/2.8 Nikkor is a fine and affordable lens on the APS-C format but not so fine on the FF due to lower sharpness through edges and corners. Actually the majority of the vintage WA lenses suffer of CA on digitals. Prefer the AI, AIS models (all metal) rather than AF versions, although they all are the same formula.
 
The Minolta MC Rokkors work fine for me on digital APSC. The 24mm F2.8 MC Rokkor-X is usually available for around $150.
 
I have a Tamron Adaptall 24mm f/2.5 that's pretty nice. I've only used it on micro four thirds body, but images are plenty sharp and saturated. I see them on eBay well below $200... some even down near $100, depending on which Adaptall adapter is included.
 
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