guyharrison
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 p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Landscape/Astro - trade the wide angle f2.8 for 4.0 & a fast prime? | |
Bocephus, you are like me, a landscape shooter who includes astro landscapes. I am assuming that you (like I do) will use the lens either for "one shot" astro landscapes, or, maybe, for a foreground image later blended into a stacked sky images, but shot from the same time at the same spot. If you are sophisticated enough to be doing astro panoramas, star tracker shots, etc, the I would assume you would not need to ask this question.
For what you want, the Sigma 14-24 DG DN is hard to beat. Top line optics and the Sony version is nice and light weight. You will be very pleasantly surprised. It is not a "Beast" for the extreme optic that it is and, really, not that heavier than most standard zooms. Of course, if you have ultimate $$$, get the ultimate lens in this area, the Sony 12-24. But, it is $1400 versus $2,800. Not worth it for a single purpose lens.
I would make a third suggestion: Get the 16-36 2.8 GM. This lens is fast and wide enough for astro but equally important takes standard 82mm filters, and standard 100mm square/rectangular filter systems. This is a BIG difference. But, if having the ultra wide 2.8 in your bag is solely for astro, the Sigma DG DN is the way to go.
I would not necessarily go single focal length, the zoom gives you more flexibility in composing especially if you will be including meaningful landscapes in the foreground. More lens speed is helpful keeping noise down for single shot exposures, but you lose depth of field making it hard to get any near foreground in focus, and now you have to resort to focus stacking foreground images (perhaps with artificial lighting having to be consistent with each shot), along with exposure stacking sky images--it becomes very complex very quickly. If you are only stacking sky shots, then 2.8 is fine anyway.
If, however, you want single focal lengths, there are two top options not mentioned here. First, the Batis 18mm 2.8. Widely regarded as one of the best astro lenses and extremely light weight. If you want even wider, the new Sony 14mm 1.8. Top of the class as well and surprisingly small and light. Again, the difference is that the Batis takes standard 77m filters and its focal length is more useful if you also want an incredible lens for general landscape use. The Sony does not take standard filters and 14mm, while ideal for astro, is definitely niche territory for general landscapes.
As good as the 20 and 24 are, for me they are not wide enough for a dedicated astro only landscape lens. But, like the Batis, they are good for astro, and offer very useful focal lengths for general daytime landscapes.
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