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Archive 2017 · Which lens for Oregon Astral Photography

  
 
blutch
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Which lens for Oregon Astral Photography


Going on vacation in the Cascades next week. I'm trying to determine what gear to take.

Even though I've never done it, I thought I would try my hand at some Milky Way photography while there.

I have three options - Nikon 24-70 f2.8, Nikon 50mm f1.4 G, Nikon 105mm, f1.4 ED, the new one.

I will be taking the 24-70 no matter what, but would rather leave the 105mm home for weight purposes if possible. However, if it will be considerably better than the 50 or 24-70 I will lug it along and leave the 50 home.

Thoughts?

Also looking for advice on great landscape locations near Bend.

B



Jun 29, 2017 at 12:44 PM
camboman
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Which lens for Oregon Astral Photography


For milky way shots, you'll want something wider than 24mm (unless you have a tracking mount). The Rokinon 14mm 2.8 is a good choice and it's also inexpensive. With your 24mm, the stars will start smearing after about 16 seconds or so, and that's borderline not long enough exposure (at ISO 3200-6400). Google 400 rule.

Scenic areas close to Bend are Newberry Volcanic Monument, Derrick Cave, and the old MCKenzie Highway drive. Have a great trip!



Jun 29, 2017 at 03:30 PM
blutch
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Which lens for Oregon Astral Photography


Thank you. I was hoping 24mm would be wide enough... dang. I appreciate the advice!

B



Jun 29, 2017 at 03:45 PM
kylebarendrick
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Which lens for Oregon Astral Photography


I like 24mm for MW shots - it makes the core look bigger than when shooting wider.


Jun 29, 2017 at 03:48 PM
blutch
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Which lens for Oregon Astral Photography


kylebarendrick wrote:
I like 24mm for MW shots - it makes the core look bigger than when shooting wider.


What kind of settings do you use that are effective?

I might have access to a 14-24 f2.8 for this trip.

B



Jun 29, 2017 at 03:54 PM
kylebarendrick
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Which lens for Oregon Astral Photography


ISO 6400, f/2.8, 20s works fine for me.


Jun 29, 2017 at 04:00 PM
jforkner
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Which lens for Oregon Astral Photography


Are you using FF or crop? If FF, 24mm works great. If crop, 24mm might be a bit long IMO.

Jack



Jun 29, 2017 at 04:09 PM
blutch
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Which lens for Oregon Astral Photography


Full Frame - D750. Thanks

B



Jun 29, 2017 at 04:10 PM
JimFox
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Which lens for Oregon Astral Photography


While 24mm can be used to shoot the MW, it sure is pushing in terms of how short the exposure needs to be so to keep star movement to a minimum, and also its field of view is really not that wide and you won't get a lot of the MW into the shot.

So it just depends what you are looking for. The 14-24mm that you could have access to would be immensely better for shooting the MW. Besides being wider so you can get more of the MW into the image. DOF at 14mm is a whole lot more then DOF at 24mm. So when you are shooting in the f2.8 to f4 range at night, you will have a lot more DOF at 14mm and make it much easier to get everything in focus if you are including foreground objects. Also at 14mm shooting at 30 secs is much more acceptable, which means you can shoot at a slightly lower ISO and have less noise to deal with.

You certainly can use the 24-70mm to shoot the MW, obviously there are people who do use it and like it. But you will probably find many, many more who will swear by a 14mm or a 16mm to shoot stars with. In the end, it's all up to you and what you are after and what you feel comfortable with shooting.

You might also consider a 14mm Samyang as an inexpensive option.

Jim



Jun 29, 2017 at 05:00 PM
M_J_Helin
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Which lens for Oregon Astral Photography


I like my Sigma 20mm 1, 4 Art. Nice lense, smallish coma, good resolution.


Jun 29, 2017 at 05:15 PM
kylebarendrick
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Which lens for Oregon Astral Photography


I like being able to fill the frame with stars, and the 24mm works well for me doing that. This was with the Samyang 24 f/1.4, probably shot at f/2.8. I'm fine with 20s exposures at this focal length and ISO 6400 on my 6D. I also have the 14mm (recently upgraded from the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 to the Rokinon 14mm f/2.4). When I go out to shoot stars, those are the two lenses I carry (14 and 24).







Jun 29, 2017 at 05:22 PM
Montmc86
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Which lens for Oregon Astral Photography


camboman wrote:
Scenic areas close to Bend are Newberry Volcanic Monument, Derrick Cave, and the old MCKenzie Highway drive. Have a great trip!

I guess it depends on how far he wants to go, if it was me I would be heading to Crater Lake NP.




Jun 29, 2017 at 05:32 PM
tntcorp
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Which lens for Oregon Astral Photography


all great suggestions... but...

the 50/1.4 will not disappoint you;, lower iso, less noises, & more latitudes on exposure times.

walk your paths & create unique images... :')



Jun 29, 2017 at 05:44 PM
JimFox
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Which lens for Oregon Astral Photography


kylebarendrick wrote:
I like being able to fill the frame with stars, and the 24mm works well for me doing that. This was with the Samyang 24 f/1.4, probably shot at f/2.8. I'm fine with 20s exposures at this focal length and ISO 6400 on my 6D. I also have the 14mm (recently upgraded from the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 to the Rokinon 14mm f/2.4). When I go out to shoot stars, those are the two lenses I carry (14 and 24).


That's a nice shot Kyle to show off the 24mm field of view.

Jim



Jun 30, 2017 at 02:07 PM
blutch
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Which lens for Oregon Astral Photography


UPDATE - I now have a 14-24 f2.8 in the mix. Is the 50 f1.4 still the winner because of the extra stop?

B



Jun 30, 2017 at 05:49 PM





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