Hey I've been a long time reader of this website but finally decided to register because I need some lens advice. I do a lot of backpacking and try to keep my kit as minimal as possible. Im looking for a great landscape lens but also a fast lens for landscape astrophotography. I'm looking at the 16 -35 f2.8 II but have heard a lot about it being very soft in the corners. I've also looked at the possibility of the 16-35 f4 and possibly a wide fast prime? I'm currently shooting with the 6d and the 24-105 and the sigma 15 mm 2.8 fisheye (I also shoot a lot of skateboarding) the 50 1.8 and the 100mm f2.8 macro. I love the fisheye but don't want that much distortion with the landscapes. Ive looked at the new Tamron 15 - 30 2.8 and it's getting mixed reviews so far. My main hesitation with that is that I want to be able to use filters with it. Im willing to spend around $2,000 for either a lens or lens combo. Anyways if you guys with your expertise and real world knowledge have any advice I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
landscape/astro lansdscape lens advice.
- Thread starter boiseblake
- Start date
boiseblake said:
I use a Rokinon 14mm 2.8 and a Rokinon 24mm f1.4 for astrophotography. I then use a canon 24-70mm f4 for other landscapes.
Upvote
0
I second the comment about the Samyang/Rokinon 14mm f2.8, its a great lens for astro, and you can get it to work pretty well for landscape if you adjust accordingly in post. For most landscape I just use my 16-35 f4, fantastic lens. Both are incredibly sharp and the Samyang is a bargain basement price - only downside is its a manual only lens which for astro makes no difference at all
Upvote
0
What format do you shoot, APS-C or full frame? Lens recommendations might differ.
Third yes vote for SamRokBowYang 14 f/2.8 manual lens, great value for money. On full frame it is really wide. The thing to check for on any astro lens is the degree of coma aberration. Few reviews address this - but see "lenstip review" for a Polish site (English-language) that has a specific coma test for each lens. Samyang has several manual rectilinear ultrawides for APS-C only (10mm f/2.8, 16mm f/2.0) and some for FF (14mm is FF), and a fisheye each for APS-C (8mm) and FF (12mm).
One thing I suggest is to go look at other astro-landscape photographs with EXIFs. What focal length do you like best? If you like 24mm, check out the newly released Sigma 24 f/1.4 Art, not yet reviewed. The power of f/1.4 for astro can hardly be overemphasized. This page by Roger Clark (astronomer and photographer) has some useful information: http://www.clarkvision.com/articles/nightscapes/index.html go to table 1 to see the effect of f/stop and focal length on photon-gathering capacity - and astrolandscape photography is all about getting as many photons as possible.
Third yes vote for SamRokBowYang 14 f/2.8 manual lens, great value for money. On full frame it is really wide. The thing to check for on any astro lens is the degree of coma aberration. Few reviews address this - but see "lenstip review" for a Polish site (English-language) that has a specific coma test for each lens. Samyang has several manual rectilinear ultrawides for APS-C only (10mm f/2.8, 16mm f/2.0) and some for FF (14mm is FF), and a fisheye each for APS-C (8mm) and FF (12mm).
One thing I suggest is to go look at other astro-landscape photographs with EXIFs. What focal length do you like best? If you like 24mm, check out the newly released Sigma 24 f/1.4 Art, not yet reviewed. The power of f/1.4 for astro can hardly be overemphasized. This page by Roger Clark (astronomer and photographer) has some useful information: http://www.clarkvision.com/articles/nightscapes/index.html go to table 1 to see the effect of f/stop and focal length on photon-gathering capacity - and astrolandscape photography is all about getting as many photons as possible.
Upvote
0
Thank you all for your advice. I ended up Picking up the 16-35 F/4 and am working on getting the samyang. I was able to pick up a used but in perfect condition 16-35 f/4 locally for $775. I absolutely love that lens. Nancy that link was incredibly useful as well. Thank you all for your responses. I greatly appreciate it!
Upvote
0
boiseblake said:
Another option is the rokinon 24mm f1.4. I can take night shots with very short exposures or very low ISO on my 6D
Upvote
0
