Need a 24mm prime lens. Any recommendations?

**Just1MoreDave** · 11-27-2022, 07:49 PM

Originally posted by joedonohoe22

Thanks all for chiming in! Definitely prefer working with primes. The Sigma 24mm F2.8 looks like a good bet, both in terms of IQ and cost. Anyone using one with 35mm film?

I did use mine for several shots on my last roll. I am pretty sure that was in 2009, not a big film user

. I remember being impressed with the wideness.

Abbazz · 11-27-2022, 10:23 PM

Originally posted by mikesbike

The Sigma 24mm f/1.8 EX DG was formulated during the film era, and I've had mine ever since, now for use on my DSLRs. This one has a good following.

The Sigma 24mm f/1.8 EX DG is a good lens, although quite bulky. At f/1.8, the image is not very sharp outside of the center zone but the fast aperture is great for blurring the background in close-up pictures. For landscape work, the aperture should be closed down to f/8.

Cheers!

Abbazz

**Papa_Joe** · 11-28-2022, 01:52 AM

I would prefer the Sigma 24 2.8 super-wide in AF or manual over the 1.8 which will lack sharpness in the corners until significantly stopped down.

The Tamron RMC II 24mm 2.8 will give you quite good results on film cameras too.

**jjdgti** · 11-28-2022, 07:54 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Papa_Joe

I would prefer the Sigma 24 2.8 super-wide in AF or manual over the 1.8 which will lack sharpness in the corners until significantly stopped down.

The Tamron RMC II 24mm 2.8 will give you quite good results on film cameras too.

I second Papa_joe.

The Sigma AF 24mm 2.8 Super Wide is an excellent lens. The Tamron adaptal 24mm 2.8 is a decent option.
I own 2 copies of the Sigma and one Tamron.

MarkJerling · 11-28-2022, 04:40 PM

I have one of these: Cosina MC MACRO 24mm F2.8 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database
Very nice little lens and my copy is sharp.

Robot camera · 11-29-2022, 10:00 AM

I'm another one who can recommend the 24mm f/2.5 Tamron Adaptall 2 on film; I have hundreds of fine shots taken with this lens. If you find you want to go wider, the Adaptall 2 17mm f/3.5 is also very good. I had the one with the built in filters.

CristiC · 11-29-2022, 12:35 PM

Samyang 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC Wide-Angle Lens for Pentax - here. Samyang or Rokinon is the same.

normhead · 11-29-2022, 02:09 PM - **3 Likes**

I have the Sigma 24mm Super wide 2. It's AF but I assume that doesn't matter. (And I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.)

It works great on my K-1

GaryM · 11-29-2022, 02:20 PM

Originally posted by joedonohoe22

Thanks all for chiming in! Definitely prefer working with primes. The Sigma 24mm F2.8 looks like a good bet, both in terms of IQ and cost. Anyone using one with 35mm film?

I've never shot it on film, but a word of caution about the Sigma 24/2.8: on my copy at least, I found that this lens suffered from severe ghosting flare. It ruined more than a few images for me, and a lens hood only partially helped. It's a pity, because otherwise it was a sharp lens.

**Gary H Perth** · 12-03-2022, 09:11 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

SMC A 24/2.8 or the Tamron Adaptall-2 24/2.5...

The K series 24mm is supposedly the same optically as the A series, and would be fine on the ME Super. There was not a M series 24mm released for the M series cameras, the K lens remained in production and available. A Tamron came my way just two weeks ago, and is very impressive so far, on the K-1. I almost always use a hood on a 24mm, usually not a filter.

So I think the weight of opinion here seems to be that any of these would be well matched:
Sigma
Tamron Adaptall-2
Pentax A or its similar ancestor.

**pres589** · 12-03-2022, 11:12 PM

Couple odd things in this thread; "DG" in Sigma speak = digital full-frame design. The lens came out around 2011 or 2012 per fast searching. I use it on my film cameras often and it's excellent but it's not a "film lens" per se. It's pretty big and heavy and conspicuous. I like it.

RMC = Tokina meaning multi-coated or some such thing. Not a Tamron thing. The Tokina RMC 24mm is not highly spoken of but I don't think it's awful. I actually own one and think I've used it once; it came with a lens I actually wanted for free.

There are a number of 3rd party 24's in the User Review section of the forum that look interesting. Cosina made a few for both their own brand as well as others. They review decently and shouldn't cost a lot. I think the Sigma 24mm Super-Wide II AF was supposed to be a very good lens when it was new. Should be some good options out there on ebay etc as well as the Marketplace here.

normhead · 12-05-2022, 10:41 AM

MY theory was watch the Marketplace and take the first 24 that came up. It turned out to be the Sigma 24 Super-wide. Personally, I find it to be great lens. I've never had an issue with it. With 24mm you have such wide DoF it's unlikely you're going to have softness issues, or deal much with out of focus areas. I can't imagine there are many bad ones out there.

11-27-2022, 10:23 PM	#17
Abbazz Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 649	Originally posted by mikesbike The Sigma 24mm f/1.8 EX DG was formulated during the film era, and I've had mine ever since, now for use on my DSLRs. This one has a good following. The Sigma 24mm f/1.8 EX DG is a good lens, although quite bulky. At f/1.8, the image is not very sharp outside of the center zone but the fast aperture is great for blurring the background in close-up pictures. For landscape work, the aperture should be closed down to f/8. Cheers! Abbazz Last edited by Abbazz; 11-27-2022 at 10:29 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Just Got a Pentax 645NII! Any Lens Recommendations for Landscape Photography?	Kristian Wolfe	Pentax Medium Format	34	18 Hours Ago 04:06 PM
prime, prime, everywhere a prime...	pepperberry farm	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	16932	1 Day Ago 10:37 AM
24mm Club - Any and All 24mm	pepperberry farm	Lens Clubs	519	2 Days Ago 07:04 AM
Prime Day Thread: post any photography prime day deals!	catwalk	Pentax Price Watch	23	07-17-2018 04:40 PM
Pentax 12-24mm vs Sigma 12-24mm & Tamron 10-24mm Comparative Review	Adam	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	03-23-2012 03:07 PM

11-27-2022, 07:49 PM	#16
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,158	Originally posted by joedonohoe22 Thanks all for chiming in! Definitely prefer working with primes. The Sigma 24mm F2.8 looks like a good bet, both in terms of IQ and cost. Anyone using one with 35mm film? I did use mine for several shots on my last roll. I am pretty sure that was in 2009, not a big film user . I remember being impressed with the wideness.

11-28-2022, 01:52 AM	#18
Papa_Joe Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: SW Bavaria Posts: 422	I would prefer the Sigma 24 2.8 super-wide in AF or manual over the 1.8 which will lack sharpness in the corners until significantly stopped down. The Tamron RMC II 24mm 2.8 will give you quite good results on film cameras too.

11-28-2022, 07:54 AM - 1 Like	#19
jjdgti Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,824	Originally posted by Papa_Joe I would prefer the Sigma 24 2.8 super-wide in AF or manual over the 1.8 which will lack sharpness in the corners until significantly stopped down. The Tamron RMC II 24mm 2.8 will give you quite good results on film cameras too. I second Papa_joe. The Sigma AF 24mm 2.8 Super Wide is an excellent lens. The Tamron adaptal 24mm 2.8 is a decent option. I own 2 copies of the Sigma and one Tamron.

11-28-2022, 04:40 PM	#20
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 19,316	I have one of these: Cosina MC MACRO 24mm F2.8 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Very nice little lens and my copy is sharp.

11-29-2022, 10:00 AM	#21
Robot camera Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire Posts: 142	I'm another one who can recommend the 24mm f/2.5 Tamron Adaptall 2 on film; I have hundreds of fine shots taken with this lens. If you find you want to go wider, the Adaptall 2 17mm f/3.5 is also very good. I had the one with the built in filters.

11-29-2022, 12:35 PM	#22
CristiC Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Transylvania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 261	Samyang 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC Wide-Angle Lens for Pentax - here. Samyang or Rokinon is the same.

11-29-2022, 02:09 PM - 3 Likes	#23
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,141	I have the Sigma 24mm Super wide 2. It's AF but I assume that doesn't matter. (And I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.) It works great on my K-1

11-29-2022, 02:20 PM	#24
GaryM Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montclair, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 395	Originally posted by joedonohoe22 Thanks all for chiming in! Definitely prefer working with primes. The Sigma 24mm F2.8 looks like a good bet, both in terms of IQ and cost. Anyone using one with 35mm film? I've never shot it on film, but a word of caution about the Sigma 24/2.8: on my copy at least, I found that this lens suffered from severe ghosting flare. It ruined more than a few images for me, and a lens hood only partially helped. It's a pity, because otherwise it was a sharp lens.

12-03-2022, 09:11 PM - 1 Like	#25
Gary H Perth Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Floreat Posts: 587	Originally posted by pepperberry farm SMC A 24/2.8 or the Tamron Adaptall-2 24/2.5... The K series 24mm is supposedly the same optically as the A series, and would be fine on the ME Super. There was not a M series 24mm released for the M series cameras, the K lens remained in production and available. A Tamron came my way just two weeks ago, and is very impressive so far, on the K-1. I almost always use a hood on a 24mm, usually not a filter. So I think the weight of opinion here seems to be that any of these would be well matched: Sigma Tamron Adaptall-2 Pentax A or its similar ancestor.

12-03-2022, 11:12 PM	#26
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,068	Couple odd things in this thread; "DG" in Sigma speak = digital full-frame design. The lens came out around 2011 or 2012 per fast searching. I use it on my film cameras often and it's excellent but it's not a "film lens" per se. It's pretty big and heavy and conspicuous. I like it. RMC = Tokina meaning multi-coated or some such thing. Not a Tamron thing. The Tokina RMC 24mm is not highly spoken of but I don't think it's awful. I actually own one and think I've used it once; it came with a lens I actually wanted for free. There are a number of 3rd party 24's in the User Review section of the forum that look interesting. Cosina made a few for both their own brand as well as others. They review decently and shouldn't cost a lot. I think the Sigma 24mm Super-Wide II AF was supposed to be a very good lens when it was new. Should be some good options out there on ebay etc as well as the Marketplace here.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

12-05-2022, 10:41 AM	#27
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,141	MY theory was watch the Marketplace and take the first 24 that came up. It turned out to be the Sigma 24 Super-wide. Personally, I find it to be great lens. I've never had an issue with it. With 24mm you have such wide DoF it's unlikely you're going to have softness issues, or deal much with out of focus areas. I can't imagine there are many bad ones out there.