Need a good 24 or 28mm lens

I just traded my very nice Super Takumar 28/3.5. I got good value for it but I realize that I do not have a good replacement for it. I have also not found the 28 (or 24) that worked for me yet. So now I set out to find a replacement and I need some assistance.

What I would like is the ability to close focus around a foot or so (or closer if possible but I'm trying to be realistic), sharp and decent bokeh (notice I didn't say great). About the closest I have come is the Konica 28/3.5 (I have had 2) but I find that 3.5 lenses are bit slower than I would like. I have also had an Olympus 28/2.8...maybe it was my copy but that lens just never worked for me. I'd love to spend in the $50-$100 range.

I have Konica, M42, PEN F and FD adapters...(I generally do NOT like FD lenses) but I'll go for a different mount if it looks like a good fit. If it makes a difference of the lenses I have I find that my Konica 40/1.8, 50/1.4 and PEN F 40/1.4 are my favorite lenses. That said, they all represent that short telephoto length and what I am wanting is something closer to the standard 40mm/50mm lens I learned to shoot with on film (although I realize a FAST lens like those standard 50/1.8s would be way out of my price range).

Any suggestions?

 

I had a Canon AE1P for years and I absolutely HATED that camera...WITH A PASSION. When I switched to digital I had a Canon 10D and I hope to never touch another Canon DSLR as long as I live. That said, I suppose I am not really being fair to the lenses. I know that the FD lenses are good (I have a 50/1.4 myself) but I generally stay away from them (like when you first tried beets and they are those horrible pink/purple staining monstrosities from a jar and refuse to ever eat beets again despite them being very good for you and when prepared properly very tasty). I also knew that this was going to come up as they are so popular. That said, I have to admit that your images do look great.

Between the 2 lenses do you have a preference?

 

I appreciate your understanding of my affliction.

How is the 28/2.8 wide open? That is something that the Konica and the Super Takumar were good at. They were both quite sharp wide open (although at 3.5 I suspect that isn't exactly a great engineering feat).

Kevin

 

Yeah, well that's why I ended up with the 28/3.5's in the first place. I can buy a KEH bargain OM 24/2.8 for around $130. I've bought their bargain lens before and they are way better than most eBay MINT lenses. That said, other than that the pickings are rather slim. Of course I am spoiled by having being extremely lucky of late in the lens acquisition derby as I have lucked into a number of good lenses very cheaply. I guess I need to remember that all lucky streaks come to an end.

I may just head back and pick up another Konica 28/3.5 and be done with it. If I do however I'd like to try out the F16 version (7 elements in 7 groups) and supposedly the best of the lot. The OM 28/3.5 is also an option (the Japanese seem to love that lens...although its not so popular here so prices are a bit lower).

Kevin

 

That's as I suspected. I think I'm going to either just grab another 28/3.5 or pony up for something like the OM 24/2.8. Thanks for the info.

Kevin

 

Thanks, I had seen that thread...Those are all fine lenses but they are also all quite spendy. There are good affordable lenses as well. As I said in my original post, the Konica 28/3.5 was close but I felt it was a bit slow. It wouldn't be the end of the world to go back to a 3.5 lens. Photography (like HiFi) is a refuge for people with a lot of disposable income but for those of us that cannot casually drop $500 on a lens there have GOT to be some options. I just need to keep looking.

 

That sounds pretty interesting...I'll look at that.

 

The 24/2.8 is a nice lens.

FYI...Just this morning I picked up a Konica Hexanon 24/2.8. I got it under budget and in what appears to be very good shape. Close focuses to 9" and if it is anything like my other Konicas it should be nice and sharp.

Thanks everyone for the help! I'll check back with some images as soon as it arrives.