The best bang-for-the-buck manual focus lenses

After gaining a lot of new insights on non-Canon lenses (Zeiss, Leica etc.) in another thread (thanks for that!), I was wondering what the best bang for the buck mf lenses are.

It doesn't have to be EF-mount as long as it can be used with an adapter. I heard the Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 is supposed to be good value (I already have the 85L however)... So what other lenses are recommended? The new 21mm distagon maybe?

It doesn't have to be within a certain budget, just looking for the best value lenses

Thanks for the input everyone!

The best bang-for-the-buck manual-focus-only lenses that I have are the four "primes" that I bought for my two Nikon F cameras back in 1967.

The price? I forget what they cost .

Seriously, I doubt that 40-year-old Nikon lenses are going to break anyone's bank, but they were/are superb lenses. I have used the heck out of mine in all sorts of situations including following Formula 1 racing and U.S. drag racing - all with press passes, of course.

None has ever needed any repair. The glass is pristine in all of them, though the external finish shows the use they have been through. That's probably what you'll find if you find used lenses in stores.

I'd be interested in answers to this question as well. Nice topic!

Most Olympus OM primes are still a good value, and are excellent performers on a Canon EOS body with an inexpensive adapter. The 18/3.5, 21/3.5, and 24/2.8 are well worth using. Ditto for the 35/3.5 PC shift lens. The 18 is getting tough to find, but they are available (but usually at a premium). Great lens, with little distortion. The longer teles, 200 and 300, are also others to consider (and very inexpensive)...you can get a 200 prime, with adapter, for under $100.

Most C/Y Zeiss primes are also excellent performers and are moderately priced. I use the 28/2.8 and 35/2.8. There's also the C/Y Zeiss 35-70/3.4 zoom...just about as sharp as any prime lens and also very moderately priced. Then there's the legendary Zeiss 21/2.8, but I'm passing on that one.

I'd say the easiest lenses to adapt, with pretty much zero possibility of any interference with the camera's mirror (5D and 5D2) would be the Olympus OM lenses. Very small, very discreet, and basically the same filter size across most, if not all, of the entire range. If you do any hiking, these lenses are so small and light that you could carry a full complement of them and not even notice them. This is why I have so many OM lenses in my gear list.

super takumar 50mm f1.4

see my sig...all but the 200 and 85 nikkors (bought new 25+ yrs ago for $125-150) were bought in the past 1.5 years....and all were <$75

Helios 44-2 or 44-3. 58/2 M42 mount, should be less than $50. w/ S&H from Russia.

Of the ones I have now:

Tamron SP 90mm/2.5 Macro. Get it with an M42 or Nikon Adaptall mount and adapt it, or get a knockoff chipped EF Adaptall (which is what I did).

Evidence:

There are so many bang for buck lenses actually. Least amount I have paid for a lens that I really use, $6. Please don't ask about the most I have paid.

As Skip mentioned AI-S Nikkors from the '70s to the late '80s..Built to last and sharp as a pin..Also easy to adapt to EOS DSLR bodies..

Here are a couple of beauties.. Nikkor AI-S 85mm f/2 (my favourite and probably the sharpest lens I've owned) , 50mm f/1.4 or f/1.8 (not the E Series), 105mm f/2.5, 135mm f/2.8, 180mm f/2.8 ED.. Another lens worth a look is the Tamron SP 135mm f/2.8..

I've got an AI-S 300mm f/2.8 IF ED which is on long term loan to my niece who still shoots film..I'm dying to adapt this lens..

This lens has been around since Noah was a boy..It used to be the choice for macro shooters..

The new version, the SP AF90mm f/2.8 Di Macro is a brilliant lens and quite inexpensive..

Thanks for all the replies everyone! I had no idea for example that Olympus made such high regarded lenses... I'll definitely check out all the suggestions.

Where do you usually find these lenses? Online or in your local shop?

eBay, where I've found most.
The Contax/Yashica Zeiss stuff is superb. 50/1.7(1.4 too), 85/1.4, 85/2.8...it goes on... and the two zooms :

35-70 and 28-85, both are absolutely stellar. I've the latter, and most go for the 35-70 due to the easier handling...the other, believe me, is a brick.

Check the Sell section, I have a few Olympus for sale.

Lad

Anyone else have more input on this?

Thanks everyone!