Lens for Astrophotography
Discussion
Been experimenting with this for a while with different settings and while I've got some shots I'm happy with I'll always be restricted by the kit lens. I'm looking for something for the job and came across this which should do the job. http://carmarthencameras.com/lenses/canon-lenses/c...
Does anyone here you this or similar or can recommend an alternative?
Does anyone here you this or similar or can recommend an alternative?
As with so many other photography subjects it all depends on what you want to shoot.
For shots of the milky way, something towards a wide angle will probably suit best, but that wouldn't be much use for taking shots of planets. For general astrophotography I have found having a lens with a reasonably wide aperture helps gathering what little light is available out there, and good software for stacking multiple shots is also a bonus.
For shots of the milky way, something towards a wide angle will probably suit best, but that wouldn't be much use for taking shots of planets. For general astrophotography I have found having a lens with a reasonably wide aperture helps gathering what little light is available out there, and good software for stacking multiple shots is also a bonus.
I'd go for the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 over the 24mm f/1.4, personally.
I ended up getting rid of my 24mm f/1.4, it just wasn't up to the task. At f/1.4, it's incredibly soft and everything is surrounded by a white glow. Stopping down to f/2.8 solves that and sharpens things up, but at that point, it's really no better than the 14mm f/2.8, and doesn't offer the field of view the 14mm does. It also suffers from very bad vignetting.
I thought perhaps mine was a bad example as there are so many stories of poor quality control, but 3 other lenses performed in the same way.
The 14mm f/2.8 is a lot better and far more usable, especially when shooting wide open.
I ended up getting rid of my 24mm f/1.4, it just wasn't up to the task. At f/1.4, it's incredibly soft and everything is surrounded by a white glow. Stopping down to f/2.8 solves that and sharpens things up, but at that point, it's really no better than the 14mm f/2.8, and doesn't offer the field of view the 14mm does. It also suffers from very bad vignetting.
I thought perhaps mine was a bad example as there are so many stories of poor quality control, but 3 other lenses performed in the same way.
The 14mm f/2.8 is a lot better and far more usable, especially when shooting wide open.
Echoing what others have said - for stars and milky way, generally you want a wide lens, but also a fast lens. (small f-stop, which lets in more light).
I've owned the Samyang 14mm f2.8, as suggested, its a decent enough lens for the price. Manual focus, but to me thats preferable for astro stuff, as in low light auto focus struggles anyway. the samyang is also a full frame lens, but it does have a weird moustache distortion to it, more noticeable on a full frame camera. You'll notice it when taking photos of buildings and anything with straight lines, but astro stuff and landscapes, it won't be so much of an issue.
Another cracking lens, is the Sigma Art 20mm f1.4 - it's probably the go-to lens, for astrophotography / northern lights. - theres just isnt a lens as sharp, wide and fast, out there.
The samyang you linked to looks ok - but 24mm might not be wide enough, especially on crop sensor cameras. I used a Zeiss 25mm f2 to take photos of the northern lights, on a Sony A7sii, so a full frame camera. I got some decent enough images, but would would have loved to have been a little wider
I've owned the Samyang 14mm f2.8, as suggested, its a decent enough lens for the price. Manual focus, but to me thats preferable for astro stuff, as in low light auto focus struggles anyway. the samyang is also a full frame lens, but it does have a weird moustache distortion to it, more noticeable on a full frame camera. You'll notice it when taking photos of buildings and anything with straight lines, but astro stuff and landscapes, it won't be so much of an issue.
Another cracking lens, is the Sigma Art 20mm f1.4 - it's probably the go-to lens, for astrophotography / northern lights. - theres just isnt a lens as sharp, wide and fast, out there.
The samyang you linked to looks ok - but 24mm might not be wide enough, especially on crop sensor cameras. I used a Zeiss 25mm f2 to take photos of the northern lights, on a Sony A7sii, so a full frame camera. I got some decent enough images, but would would have loved to have been a little wider
Edited by Fordo on Monday 24th July 12:03
I bought a Sigma Art 18-35mm f/1.8 recently, not solely for this purpose but figuring it might be a good bet for that too. I'd been considering a wide-ish fast lens for night sky shooting and a 35mm prime for general use so this killed two birds with one stone. Only thing is, other than some generally positive views on night sky shooting with the lens I can't comment as I've not had a chance to try it for that yet. Certainly a nice bit of kit though.
RobDickinson said:
IMO 24mm on crop is too narrow unless you plan on stitching
Samyang 14mm f2.8 is the general go to, had one a while ago it was ok but heavy vignetting and distortion.
There is a sy 12/2.0 an laowa 12mm/2.0 also worth a look
I currently use an irix 15/2.4 and 35/1.4L but on a ff body.
I'm using an irix 15mm as well. Really is a lovely lens and still fairly wide on dx. I have a sigma 24mm 1.4 as well but don't really find it that useful for astro. Samyang 14mm f2.8 is the general go to, had one a while ago it was ok but heavy vignetting and distortion.
There is a sy 12/2.0 an laowa 12mm/2.0 also worth a look
I currently use an irix 15/2.4 and 35/1.4L but on a ff body.
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