looking for a 24mm lens

alexbird · Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 6 Location: China

Due to the APS ratio I lost the angle of 35mm in full frame size. now the 24mm seems work but they're quite much expensive than normal 35mm. So i'm looking for some cheaper ones instead, such as sigma, vivitar or other Jap brands. Any suggest on them? who is better? (I'm using Pentax-K mount)

Thanks in advance

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

I have several in that category -

21/3.8 Soligor (M42 with T4)
24/2.8 Soligor (M42 with T4)
19/3.8 Vivitar (PK-A)

I think 24mm is about 36mm on the crop sensor, and that is barely wide angle I think; 19mm would be about 30mm, and reasonably close to 28mm, which is where I would like to be.

I think you can find any of these or their equivalents for $50 or less. I recently bought the 24 Soligor for @$20 (and saw another go for $40), and the Vivitar for $50. I have seen the 21's go for between $30-90.

The older Soligors (1970's vintage) were made by Tokina and were also sold under the Vivitar and Spiratone labels, among others. These aren't always available on ebay, you may have to wait a bit.

The Vivitars (1980's-90's) are very available as "almost new" stock from various dealers at prices only a bit higher than ebay; you can also find them under other brands like Cosina (and they are probably Cosinas).

The 19/3.8 Vivitar is the most convenient because it supports all the Auto modes on the Pentax K10-K100 series. I would say its adequate.

None of them are exactly wonder lenses, the best one probably (my opinion) is the old Soligor 24, which seems no worse than my Pentax-M 24/2.8 and is easier to use on the new Pentax bodies.
" target="_blank">Click here to see on Ebay

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

The cheapest that I know with good image quality is the Tamron 2.8/25, it should go for under 100 Eur
If you are ready to spend a little more than 100 Eur, then there is the excellent Yashica ML 24, but it's not easy to find one.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Olympus OM 28mm f2.8 , Yashica ML 28mm f2.8 both are dirt cheap and excellent.

KhanX · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject:

tamron 17mm is the best suit for you.

I'd like the color sharpen with this len.

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Guys, he specifically asked for a 24mm, not for a 28mm or a 17mm.
Especially the 17mm is a completely different type of lens.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

We are looks like a bad trader offer what we have not what buyer asked LOL.

Rob Leslie · Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 1103 Location: UK Swindon

The results from tests I have done tell me you have to think about spending a lot of money to beat the standard Pentax 18-55mm kit lens at 24mm.
I have a Sigma 24-70 and the Pentax kit blows that away.
I have tried a Tamron Adaptall 2 24mm (I'm a big Tam fan) but that was no better.
Yet to Try. - A Pentax prime 24mm (Lots of money) I have used them in the past on film and know they are good.
To be honest I am not too bothered about finding one as I'm trying to buy one of the super wide zooms. I'm waiting for my THIRD example of the Sigma 10-20 to arrive. If I eventually manage to get a good one I will be happy to give an expensive 24mm MF prime a miss.

F16SUNSHINE · Expire: 2011-11-18

Vivitar had 2 24mm lenses. Both are f2 at widest aperture. One made by Kiron serial #22#########. The other made by Komine serial #28########. I have both and am selling both as I have replaced them with a Zuiko 2/24. The performance is more than satisifactory with either by f5.6 quite sharp. You should be able to find them in M42 or PK for about $100-$150 maybe less. The two copies I have are in C/Y mount so they will not help you. Here is a link to the Komine version so you can see what it looks like. Vivitar contracted with Kiron and Komine often. Just look for that serial # to know who built the lens. Good luck in your search. You can look at my other stuff if you like. There is one M42 wide a kiron 3.8/20mm.

Andy Smile

Click here to see on Ebay

LucisPictor · Expire: 2013-12-03

I have got two 24mm lenses and one 23mm lens.
The Hanimex 3.5/23 is OK but not really recommendable.
My Tamron 2.5/24 is a very nice lens, solid and a good performer (soft at f2.5 but already much better when stopped down to f4).
My best 24mm lens is the Nikkor-N.C 2.8/24. I love this lens!!!

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Nikkor 24mm f2.8 best 24mm lens what I ever kept in my hand even if I had Olympus 2/24mm and 2/24mm Nikkor.

Brian · Joined: 10 May 2008 Posts: 83 Location: Virginia, US

Pentax K-Mount...

I can vouch for the Vivitar 28/2, it was quite good. I had one in Konica mount, but sold it after getting a Konica 28/1.8. The Vivitar was well under $50.

If the Vivitar 24/2 is close to it, I'd be very pleased.

Screamin Scott · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 11:33 pm Post subject:

The Sigma 24/2.8 rated high on MTF charts @ photodo.com. I have it in both MF & AF models & it is good for the price...(I tend to use my Nikkors more in this focal length unless I'm using the AF model as I don't have the Nikkor in AF)...I like the Nikkors better in both IQ & build, but the Sigma does give good results at a lesser price...I also have the Komine made Vivitar 24mm F2 & that is really nice as well...

dancheng · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 7

There is also this Tokina 17 mm f3.5 RMC.
More common in Canon or Nikon mount.

Search for item # 170212176487 in eBay.
You will see some pictures of it in PK mount.
Unfortunately, it is an ended auction.

alexbird · Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 6 Location: China

Thanks for you all.
the most brands I can find here are vivitar, sigma, tokina & tamron. some other brands are quite rare in China. ebay is a good place but the freight is often higher than the lens.

My friends took some test on his Nikon machine, Tokina 28 is nice but its 24 is not good in tone and details. They are sharp and high contrast. I dont' like over high contrast, I like fine tone with proper sharp and contrast.

He also tried sigma 28/2.8, better than tokina with good tone and same sharpness, but not as good as Nikkor 28/2.8 in tone, and the highlight is quite easy to get overflow.

Never tried tamron and vivitar...

seems I need just buy and try them all... ^_^

BTW: I found a sigma AF 24/2.8 in PK mount costs only $100 in local shop. seem the price is quite good for a AF version?