Topic: rec me a wide-aperture lens for astrophotography

[jerryfreak]

ive got a canon rebel SL1 (APS-C, with EF lens mount)

the best lens i currently have for astrophotography only goes down to f/4.0 (its a basic 18-55mm f/4.0-f5.6 Canon IS EF-S)

the milky way is phenomenal where i live id like to do some deep sky shots (well, semi-deep sky. not really ready to throw down for a star tracker, yet)

it seems like the high quality lenses in f/1.4 and f/2.8 are several hundred dollars minimum

is there an affordable alternative with decent results for like $200 or less

So far this is the closest ive found, but there might be a better choice: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rokinon-14mm-F2-8-ED-IF-AS-UMC-Lens-14-2-8-Canon-EF-242/143670075650

or maybe this affordable prime lens woudl be equally as good?
https://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-STM-Lens/dp/B00X8MRBCW


I'm as noob as it gets when it comes to photography. From what i understand the longer focal length of the prime lens will limit my exposure length (using the 'rule of 300' for my APS-C i'm at 6 seconds with the 50mm vs 20+ seconds with the 14mm zoom lens)

thanks

[beatkilla]

I don't see needing a fast lens for star trails.

Use Bulb mode and get an external shutter release cable.

I have some shots like that in Bulb mode that are between 30sec. exposures and as much as 1 hour

https://support.usa.canon.com/kb/index?page=content&id=ART142512



I recommend the Tokina 11-16mm  F2.8 (EF mount version)it's really awesome.

[jerryfreak]

thanks for the reply

i dont want star trails, though

looking for the opposite

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

I use the Rokinon 14mm lens with my Sony camera with decent results. I think this photo might be from their 8mm fisheye. Both lenses are equally pretty good (but obviously not as good as the mega $$$ lenses).

[guitard]

There is a sub-reddit or two abnout astrophotography.  They sometimes include a lot of detail for the pics about the camera, lens, settings, etc.  Might be worth a look.

[mnm207]

You might troll through Flickr also. Most people post the EXIF data along with the photographs.

The Rokinon 14mm is a lens mentioned often in this context (or its rebadged siblings). Rokinon also makes a 16mm f2.0 and a 20mm f1.8; both are faster but less wide. IRIX mkaes a 15mm f2.4. These are all relatively fast, relatively wide rectilinear lenses that aren't overly pricey.

That 50mm f1.8 Canon you ask about is probably too long and/or not long enough for astrophotography.

Mike-nice photo. Cabin looks lovely. 

[jerryfreak]

i see the 14mm rokinon comes in two flavors - one with AE chip and one without

would the AE chip be useful at all for astrophotgraphy? if not, i imagine it would be useful for landscape shots?

[mnm207]

The AE chip just allows the lens to tell the camera which lens it is and which aperture is set. This information allows for proper functioning of automatic exposure modes (program and shutter priority; aperture priority may still work w/o aperture info from lens).

If there's no optical difference between the chipped and unchipped versions, then I'd save a few bucks and get the unchipped version knowing I will be losing some automatic metering modes. For astrophotography, I don't think these auto modes are all that useful.

[jerryfreak]

screwing around with my 18-55 zoom lens during tonight's meteor shower

https://i.imgur.com/idlQTEz.jpg