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Archive 2016 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos

  
 
kinconorb
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos


Nikon actually has a page that showcases some of their wide angle lenses for this type of photography, but I was wondering what others opinions are.

http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/microsite/astrophotography/getstarted/lens/index.html

Currently I have a Nikon 17-35/2.8 which works well for this task, but I've had the lens for around 10yrs now and looking to buy something new. Currently debating the 14-24/2.8 but the 24/1.4 and 20/1.8 are also tempting.



Jun 01, 2016 at 12:43 PM
AnnJS
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos


My 14-24mm has always worked very well for me.

An exposure of around 20 seconds, with the lens wide-open at 4000 ISO, cooks a very nice shot of the Milky Way.



Jun 01, 2016 at 12:55 PM
JimFox
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos


I use both the 14-24mm, the 16-35mm and the 14mm Samyang. All 3 work great.

You will find when it comes to shooting stars and/or the Milky Way. The camera body will make a much bigger difference in getting sharp, noise free shots. Since unless you use a star tracker which physically tracks your camera with the star movement, you will be shooting at High ISO. You didn't mention what camera you are using, but that will make a huge difference to shoot with.

So usually with the Milky Way, the idea is to get as much of it as possible. Now Pano's are possible with the Milky Way, but can be really tough to do. But that is possible. But usually one wants the wide lens, to be able to capture more of the sky (stars) in the image.

And finally, it's the person taking the shot that makes it all work. Lot's of people shoot stars or Milky Ways, but don't have the proper techniques for focusing, camera settings, and just as importantly post processing. Most star, Milky Way shots take quite a bit of processing to look right. From adjusting the WB, to how you will deal with the noise.

Jim



Jun 01, 2016 at 01:19 PM
kinconorb
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos


So the 14-24 sounds like the clear winner. Plus its more versatile when compared to a 24/1.4 or 28/1.8. As for the camera I have a D700 and D800 so full frame sensor.

The 17-35/2.8 is probably good enough, but I've been dying to purchase 14-24/2.8 for the past 5 years.



Jun 02, 2016 at 04:53 PM
shekarn64
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos


I have never taken any such shots but 20 1.8G has got lot of good reviews for this type..


Jun 02, 2016 at 07:47 PM
morrismike
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos


shekarn64 wrote:
I have never taken any such shots but 20 1.8G has got lot of good reviews for this type..


It takes nice pictures. This is 8 stacked at 1600 iso 55 miles SW of chicago 2 miles west of Morris, IL on a golf course. I'm getting used to shooting with a lot of light pollution and will do a proper stack with dark, offset, and maybe a hundred 15 second 3200 ISO exposures and go for 4000 stars. I would say the 15-30 Tamron is better, 35mm f2 Distagon, 58mm f/1.4 Voightlander also very good. I've been meaning to try out the 28mm voightlander but haven't got around to it. I also have high hopes for the 10mm Roko lens.







Jun 02, 2016 at 08:45 PM
suteetat
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos


For Nikon Glasses, 14-24 or 20/1.8 works very well. 24/1.4 will be good only if you do pano shots I think. For single shot, 20/1.8 is really good but is only wide enough if Milky Way is close to the horizon if you want to take shot of the Milky Way with some foreground. If the Milky Way is higher and you still want some foreground, you will need something wider and 14-24 will be great for that. However, when 20mm is enough, I prefer to use 20/1.8 just for the extra stop as that will also mean one stop less ISO. Sigma 20/1.4 Art is supposed to be excellent as well but I have not tried it myself.


Jun 02, 2016 at 09:19 PM
workerdrone
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos


I was playing around with a 24mm 1.4 last night, the extra speed is nice I think to keep the ISO and noise down - not finished processing this one, I don't do much of this stuff so am playing around a bit before I read up on how you're really supposed to do it 30 seconds at iso400. I'd crop the trees out but wanted to show the full frame 24mm for this thread







Jun 02, 2016 at 10:47 PM
Two23
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos


I went with the 20mm f1.8g because it's much lighter and should work on an astro tracker better.


Kent in SD



Jun 02, 2016 at 10:48 PM
elkhornsun
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos


Best single lens is the Nikon 14-24mm lens and it can be used for terrestrial photography where it also shines. My second choice would be the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 which is sharper than the Nikon 24mm f/1.4 as well as less expensive and still uses 77mm size filters. I have the 14-24mm and have been planning to add the Sigma lens to my kit.


Jun 03, 2016 at 05:05 PM
buthurt
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos


Wasn't the Noct built for this kind of stuff (and priced accordingly)?


Jun 04, 2016 at 12:06 PM
dasams
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos


workerdrone wrote:
I was playing around with a 24mm 1.4 last night, the extra speed is nice I think to keep the ISO and noise down


The biggest problem with Nikon 24 1.4 lens is the coma when shot wide open. Even at 2.8 it is still present, at least on my copy. Can you post a 100% crop of the corner?



Jun 04, 2016 at 12:11 PM
kinconorb
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos


Well the 14-24/2.8 now has a $200 instant rebate I think the decision has been made for me.


Jun 06, 2016 at 04:39 PM
Weasel_Loader
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos


Lots of choices these days.

The ones I've used were the 14-24/2.8 and the Samyang 14/2.8. Both were excellent, but I preferred the 14-24/2.8 just slightly. My Samyang didn't seem as sharp as the 14-24 in the corners.

If I were still serious with astro these days, I'd look at the 20/1.8G or maybe even some of the newer wide Sigma lenses.

I have heard that the Samyang 24/1.4 is supposed to be really excellent for astro because of the near zero CA.



Jun 06, 2016 at 05:15 PM
CGrindahl
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos


We've had a few shots of the night posted lately on the Manual Focus Nikon Glass thread taken with... manual focus lenses. Here are two taken with the 35 f/1.4 AI-s.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/929565/5720#13585233

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/929565/5719#13584973

And a shot with a recently purchased NOCT at f/1.2. Clearly some work to do setting up that lens.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/929565/5729#13592327



Jun 06, 2016 at 05:38 PM
bernardl
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Best Nikon lens for Milky Way Photos


I believe that the Otus 28mm f1.4 is a top performer for these applications.

I haven't use mine yet in this context, but hope to have the chance in the coming weeks.

Together with the D5 is should offer interesting stitching opportunities without having to rely on tracking devices.

Cheers,
Bernard



Jun 07, 2016 at 04:20 AM





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