Astro Lens

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nick16

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All,

I would like to have a go at Astro photography, and whilst being new to it, i would like to get a lens that does the job well.

I know the Samyang lenses are popular. Which length is recommended for me? (Nikon DX)
I have read articles suggesting anything from 12 - 24mm.

Another option mentioned was the Tokina 11-16 f2.8.

I currently have a sigma 10-20mm (older version) but its only f4-5.6 and therefore not ideal. I would be selling this to fund the purchase of the new lens, so would prefer something wider than 20mm.

I also have a Nikon 35mm f1.8 but again not ideal as its not wide enough.

Recommendations?
 
I've had a 14mm f2.8 Samyang, which was a very good lens for the money. I've also hired a Canon 24mm f1.4II when in the US a few years ago. I now have a Samyang 24mm f1.4 as it's performance is better in terms of 'comma' - lenses differ in how they resolve, with lower-performing examples giving a comma-shaped effect to stars.
 
Hi Nick, my preference is Samyang 24mm 1.4 as it is pretty wide angle and nice and sharp at 1.4 so great for landscapes with the milky way. Really the right lens depends on what pictures you want to shoot. For long exposure star trails you don't really need something so sharp wide open and for deep sky objects you probably need a star tracker. Hope this helps!
Tim
 
The 24mm is meant to be really good at f1.4 and almost better at f2.0.
Its certainly one i was leaning towards.
I know MPB have one for sale at the moment.
 
Another (y) for the Samyang 24mm f1.4, cracking lens which I just don't use enough :(
 
On a crop body I'd go with the tamarin 11-XXmm f2.8's the 24mm lenses on a crop just aren't wide enough and you'll get a great wide angle zoom thrown in for other uses.
 
My other lens of consideration would be the Samyang 16mm f2.0.
Perhaps a better choice for a crop sensor camera.

I worried about getting a zoom lens as im wary of getting any creep.
A 16mm will cover most of the work i do at UWA because i can just move my feet.
 
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For me, width and retaining as much automation as possible were the priorities over speed - I am happy racking the ISO up to 6400 and beyond if I need the faster shutter speeds they allow (D750). So, I went for a Tamron 14mm f/2.8. Mine came 2nd hand from Ffordes and was about £220 IIRC.
 
I did have a look at the Tamron, but it just seemed to be swamped by the amount of positives for the samyang / Rokinon alternatives.
F2.0 or f2.8 wont make alot of difference tbh, its best to get something im comfortable with.
Not alot of 16mm samyangs for sale at the moment it seems!
 
Not sure that the Tamron's a current product TBH. I know they don't turn up very often on 2nd hand shelves - I was very lucky to find mine just before I needed it for a trip to Iceland. Its simpler distortions compared to the Samyang was a factor in my choice as well, I'm not to unhappy about "normal" barrel distortion but the Samyang's moustache type looks a bit odd to me! Not really a problem for astro stuff but weird horizons on UW seascapes is a bit off IMO.
 
Totally agree, it is something that is a little annoying, but can be corrected in post processing.
I will just hover around the classifieds / gumtree / ebay and see what turns up.
 
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