Cheapest wide 24 or 20mm with decent quality.

[Andrey]

Hehe

I don't know anymore. 100 bucks and more isn't really cheap for the tamron, I'd rather shell out for something extra nice and make it a keeper.

I think skopar is the best bet.

 

[BobbyR]

Kiron used to make a 24mm f2, but sadly the better of the independant lenses seem to have held or gained value.

 

[Russ - SVP]

Kiron used to make a 24mm f2, but sadly the better of the independant lenses seem to have held or gained value.

The Kiron model is pretty good too. Their 24mm f/2 is not as commonly found as their 28mm f/2

Kiron Kid

 

[Paul Howell]

In 42mm mount: a Super Takumar 24mm, look for lens with a hood, most of the screw mount wides are prone to flare. For cheap with fair to good performance stopped down maybe a Vivitar 20mm. I dont recall if Pentax made a 20mm in 42mm. I have the Super 24mm Takumar and at one time had a 20mm Vivitar, the the Takumar is very good wide open, the vivitar was ok wide open and very sharp stopped down, but like all 20mm of the time easy to distort, I sold it at some point as 20mm is not a lens I used or needed very often.

 

[Don Dudenbostel]

I'll cast my vote for the 24 2.8 Nikkor. I've used various versions over nearly 40 years along with Leica and other wides inclusing Zeiss. The Nikkor is a benchmark in the industry and it's reputation is well deserved. The last one I purchased was a non AI on a Nikkormat FTN body witha case. Both in very nice condition and I paid $60 for both.

 

[DaveOttawa]

I thought the original poster wanted the cheapest option. The Skopar isn't cheap.

Maybe not but it is inexpensive.

 

[Fotoguy20d]

Canon FD 24 f2.8 goes cheap (you'll see a few on ebay - seems to be $70-100) and is a nice lens. FD mount bodies aren't too pricey either, just avoid the dreaded shutter squeak.