Good Wide-Angle Lens?

[Decapolis]

Hi!

(I couldn't find this asked earlier, so if it has been, my apologies.)

I'm looking for a good wide-angle lens, ideally 24mm or wider, that could be found on Ebay for under ~$50 USD. The currently widest M42 lens that I have and use is 58mm, which I find limiting for what I like photographing.

What would you recommend for this budget?

Regards,
-Decapolis

[Attila]

On this budget impossible to get good wide angle lenses. Don't expect good lens for nothing. If you don't have more money wait and save and buy later. Good ones are started around 200 USD. I know good is relative term , but in my experience better to buy less and more rare than buy lot of average or so so lens. Especially if you would like to use on DSLR , film has more tolerance with not so good lenses.

Cheap ones Vivitar 24mm f2.8, f2
Kiron 24mm f2

[Orio]

Tamron 24mm Adaptall 2 should be around that budget
but you will need to buy a M42 adaptall ring too

Meyer Lydith 30mm also a good lens should be around 30-40 Euros

Of course for really good super wide lenses like Attila said you should spend at least 150-200 Euros.

[Decapolis]

Thanks for the replies! I guess I am overly hopeful, how about lenses <30mm in focal length?
Thanks for the Kiron and Meyer Lydith recommendations! (On a side note, is the Meyer Lydith later rebranded as Pentacon?)

I wouldn't really like to spend a great deal over 50 $ on this, as I photograph a lot digital, and film is not the main medium. I don't need Zeiss-quality glass, naturally not, just something that would be good for the price.

Thanks for any further input! I'm looking seriously in to all recommendations.

-Decapolis

[Orio]

I guess the shorter and cheaper that you can find is Tamron 25mm
Shorter than 25mm lenses never come for 50 Euros unless total garbage or broken.

[aoleg]

If you consider 28mm, S-M-C Takumar 28/3.5 and Yashica ML 28/2.8 are great lenses and in your price range (Yashica ML can be had for as little as $20 sometimes )

[ManualFocus-G]

Not particularly wide on a crop sensor, but both Tamron Adaptall 1 and 2 28mm primes are very good.

[martinsmith99]

Check out the Ensinor 24mm. I got one a while back and was surprised at the sharpness. A really good lens and they go for next to nothing.

[Attila]

[Decapolis]

Hi again,

I wonder about the Meyer-Optik Görlitz Lydith 30mm f/3.5, is this optically the same lens as the Pentacon 30mm f/3.5? Would there be any motivation for purchasing one instead of the other?

Browsing on Ebay.de there are several Pentacons, but not Meyer-Optiks.


Sincerely,
-Decapolis

[ManualFocus-G]

[xjjohnno]

Scored myself a Cosina 28mm f2.8 in Pentax mount for $20 ozzie currency and a reasonable performer so worth keeping a look out for it.

[martinsmith99]

I've just bought a Lydith. It's a minty. I'd still recommend the Ensinor over the Lydith. It's quite a bit wider and sharper with the advantage of having coated optics.

However the Lydith is by no means a bad lens.

Lydith at F11


And here's a thread with some samples from the Ensinor:
http://forum.mflenses.com/walk-with-the-ensinor-2-8-24-macro-t15682,highlight,ensinor.html

[Decapolis]

Thanks for all new helpful replies!

The Tamron Adaptalls seem like a very attractive option, I'll keep an eye on Ebays and such sites.

In reply to martinsmith99, thanks for the samples and recommendation! The Ensinor still tops my list for what to look for, however I believe it isn't very common? I have checked several auction sites, none of which have it currently, and most haven't had in the last three months according to the 'finished auctions' search. Are there any other places worth searching in other than Ebay(s)?

Sincerely,
-Decapolis

[Excalibur]

[martinsmith99]