I want to comment on the Helios 58mm F2.0 lens. I have the 44m-6 version of the lens, which is the almost the newest version (44m-7). From what I've read the successive generations improve in their multi-coatings. Anyway, I really like my Helios 44m-6. I have compared it to my Canon FD 50mm F1.4. In my tests both lenses have equal sharpness (excellent) in the center. The FD 1.4 holds the sharpness out to the edges of the frame a little better than the Helios. But, in real world shooting I like the characteristics of the Helios 44m-6 more than the FD 1.4. I would absolutely recommend getting the 44m-6. If you have enough patience you can find a USA seller on eBay. Most of the sellers are in Europe.
There is a Minolta 24mm at f2 (MD or MC) I think it's reviewed at the rokkorfiles.com My Minolta 24 f2.8 MD is the sharpest full frame wide lens I have
Also I second the Helios 58mm F2.0 recommendation, I have 8 of these lenes ranging from the early 60's to the last 44m-7 .. they are all different probably 4 wow ones and 4 blah ones .. there are a few different xxx-4s in amongst them, made in several different factories, only one of the xxx-4 is wow. They are hell cheap .. the most I paid for them was about $55.
While the Minolta 24mm 2.8 is really great, the 2.0 is only average wide open. I sold mine again.
I do have the canon 24/2, the nikkor 35/2 and the Rokkor 28/2 as f2.0 lenses. In some situations the nikkor is great. But i dont like the nikon color very much. And 70mm is not very usefull to me. But the biggest surpise to me: the rokkor looks much more amazing than the canon does. I do have a 50/1.4 canon fd. And that lens is absolutly great. But the Rokkor is the better partner to that lens, than the canon 24 is. I only need a 16mm 2.0 on the same level and i will be glad. Unfortunately i think nobody has released such a lens.
@Stonebat are you rockin' a Konika Hexanon 40mil. as well? I didn't think anyone else on the planet would even bother! My pastor gave me his father's old photography stuff, and that's the one lens I kept from it, and its my go-to lens now. About the aperture jump, I just balance mine between hard stops, there's enough room for it to just sit there. Even pulling it a hair off of full open cuts 80-90% of the junk and really sharps it up. If I it wasn't my favorite lens right now, I'd just disassemble it and try and declick. I'll let you know if I do at some point.
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