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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 5DS + Tamron 15-30/2.8 for Astro (examples) | |
I've been through several 'utility' astro lenses (i.e. zooms) over the years, and aside from wanting a faster-than-f/2.8 UWA wide lens (that may not exist), after a few months with the Tamron 15-30/2.8 I've found it to be a stellar performer (no pun intended). I see lots of questions about both this lens and about the 5Ds for astrophotography, and since it's been awhile since I've posted, I thought I'd share a few, and highlight a some key points on this combo. [Also, for the record, over the years I've extensively used both 24-70/2.8L's (I & II), the first two 16-35/2.8L's (I & II), and the 16-35/4L IS. Although the 16-35/2.8L III certainly seems to address the flaws of the first two versions, after much internal debate I've realized that I would not use it for astro due to the 3+ stops of vignetting in the corners, thus it would really be a rather expensive replacement for the 16-35/4L IS. Maybe someday when I'm rolling in money I'll make the switch, but no need to.]
So concerning vignetting, I think that is where the 15-30/2.8 really, really shines, even at 15mm where I normally shoot. I do a lot of Milky Way panos, and the heavy corner vignetting of most fast ultra-wides means increased noise in those corners once you fix it. Let's just say that it bugs me to have noise cycling in and out of the upper edge of a panorama.
Speaking of bugging me, coma is the other aspect that the 15-30 performs quite well, all things being considered. It's about on par with the 16-35/4L IS, probably a touch better. Lack of coma was the main reason I gave this lens a shot, and I'm glad I did.
Sharpness is very, very good, across practically the entire field of view, thus field curvature is well controlled (can't say that about either 24-70/2.8L I've owned)
As far as the 5Ds is concerned, the bottom line is that I'll take its high-ISO 'performance' given that its increase in resolution allows me to make a bigger print than I otherwise might with the 6D (not tried, nor am I going to, a 5DIV; I'll take the 5Ds any day of the week). Shooting astro with the 5Ds user errors are certainly magnified, and good glass is a must. This camera is every bit the workhorse that my 5DIII was, and the images are significantly better; I do not in any way miss the fixed pattern noise of the 5DIII, that drove me nuts.
Now for the images:
The first Perseid composite was taken in UT the night of August 12-13, the night after the peak, which I unfortunately missed. The camera shot all night until the two batteries in the grip died, from when the moon set until right about the time the western horizon started to brighten. I got about 40 meteors in that timeframe, including two with persistent trains, one of which was visible for nearly 6 minutes). I started the sequence just as the moonlight disappeared, in order to keep just a bit of light on Castleton Tower.
The next two panos were shot during a houseboating trip on Lake Powell in the last week of May. Now let me tell you astro guys out there, there is no better 'vacation' for us than a moonless week on Lake Powell! Such a great trip, my only problem was being up most of the night, every night, and having to recover for daily activities. So much fun stumbling around out there in the dark, taking pictures. Anyway, first one with some light from the boat, before the Milky Way rose; a 14-image stitch to 23000x9000 pixels. The next is a 12-image pano, away from the light of the boat (20000x7000 pix).
Then, one daytime pano, just to give the lens some occasional daylight. The only thing that bugs me about the 15-30/2.8 is that it doesn't easily take filters, but honestly, if I'm shooting in the daytime I don't need the speed, so I can use the 16-35/4L IS.
Lastly, a couple of crops, just to get a feel for the detail, and to show a closeup of the amazing persistent train. I was lucky to capture that.
Cheers!
Jeff
PS: In case anyone wants any further details about the images, you can find them here:
http://jeffwarnerphoto.com/2016/08/15/81316-perseid-meteor-showers-from-castle-valley-ut/
http://jeffwarnerphoto.com/2016/05/31/53016-houseboating-on-lake-powell/
2016 Perseid Meteor Shower, Castleton Tower, UT
Glow of houseboat on Lake Powell, May 2016
Milky Way pano, Lake Powell, UT
Star trails and Castleton Tower, UT
Castleton Tower, UT; 270° pano
Edited on Dec 21, 2016 at 06:53 PM · View previous versions
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