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11-27-2022, 10:43 AM   #1
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Need a 24mm prime lens. Any recommendations?

I’m using a 35mm Pentax ME Super and am looking for a starter 24mm prime lens for taking landscape shots and making prints in the darkroom.

Any recommendations for a good performing lens?

11-27-2022, 10:58 AM   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by joedonohoe22 Quote
I’m using a 35mm Pentax ME Super and am looking for a starter 24mm prime lens for taking landscape shots and making prints in the darkroom.

Any recommendations for a good performing lens?
I've used a handful of film-era 24mm prime lenses (on digital), and the best was the Sigma AF Super Wide II 24mm F2.8. The manual focus version should perform similarly. Funnily enough, the second-best 24mm I've found was a zoom lens, the Tamron Adaptall-2 SP (13A) 24-48mm F3.5-3.8.
11-27-2022, 11:01 AM   #3
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FA* 24mm f2.0 ?
11-27-2022, 11:08 AM   #4
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Opinions vary, but I was always partial to the 24/3.5 SMC. Never used with adapter though. I had an SP500 that one lived on for the best part of 7 years.

11-27-2022, 11:23 AM   #5
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There are lots of decent/similar 28mm, at 24mm two lenses keep on being mentioned/referred to (apart from oem lenses that are not relevant being incompatible) : the sigma superwide and the tamron adaptall 2 01B. Consensus suggests that the sigma is better across the frame (corners) and has closer focus, the tamron has better rendering and is very good centre frame. I have posted pics with the 01B in the adaptall mount club thread. if you can find one in K mount the fast vivitar 24mm f2's are good stopped down, soft at f2, and have strong colours.
11-27-2022, 12:37 PM   #6
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The FA 28 is from the film era but delivers well on landscape in good light. Richard L uses it in Quebec in bright sun a lot (https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-FA-28mm-F2.8-Lens.html ...scroll down comments a bit). I have as well. 2nd and 3rd pics aside, I find it doesn't do as well in dull lighting. (And actually that day was, in fact, quite bright even with all the fog and clouds.)



Last edited by jgnfld; 11-27-2022 at 01:00 PM.
11-27-2022, 12:56 PM   #7
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Would you consider a zoom which covers the focal length you're after or are you definitely after a prime? Some WA zooms are pretty sharp these days and since you're using film, may be as good as a prime for your use, plus you get the extra focal lengths such a lens would provide.


Last edited by Bob 256; 11-27-2022 at 01:04 PM.
11-27-2022, 01:04 PM - 1 Like   #8
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I have the SMC Pentax A 24mm f/2.8, which serves me well on digital. It should be good on film too.



SMC Pentax-A 24mm F2.8 Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
11-27-2022, 01:24 PM   #9
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The Kiron 24mm f2 is very good for a fast lens. It's prone to an oily aperture but that's the only down side. Kiron made lenses for Vivitar and some other brands. The Vivitar serial numbers start with 22 if Kiron made it. My copy is sharper than my Sigma Superwide II but just barely.

The Sigma 24mm f2.8 that everyone likes has about three versions with the same optical formula. They all use the name Superwide. For an ME, you can get the first Superwide version, which doesn't have an A on the aperture ring. The previous lens was called Filtermatic and does not have great reviews. It's also bigger.

Vivitar used several manufacturers. Cosina made a 24mm f2.8 for them (can't remember the serial number code - maybe 09?) that was pretty good. I did have a Vivitar RL 24mm f2.0 made by Komine. Ordinarily Komine lenses are good, but that particular lens was terrible. I have read one other report that matched my experience, so I'd avoid that one.
11-27-2022, 01:30 PM   #10
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SMC A 24/2.8 or the Tamron Adaptall-2 24/2.5...
11-27-2022, 01:33 PM   #11
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Sharp. Compact.
SMC Pentax 24mm F3.5 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
11-27-2022, 03:12 PM   #12
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The thing is - the 24mm was not very popular in the days of old. They were probably more expensive than the 28mm that everybody bought as their second or third lens back then. That makes them fairly rare now and you might have to take what you can get. As long as If it says SMC Pentax on it, you should be good to go. There are quite a few choices.

Last edited by Wasp; 11-29-2022 at 03:44 AM.
11-27-2022, 04:17 PM   #13
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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?
11-27-2022, 04:27 PM - 1 Like   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by pepperberry farm Quote
SMC A 24/2.8 or the Tamron Adaptall-2 24/2.5...
Another vote for the Tamron … probably the best 3rd-party lens of it's type at the time
11-27-2022, 05:31 PM - 1 Like   #15
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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.
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