Astrophotography Lens suggestions?

Arx_X

New member
Hello, i am also new here and currently mostly interested in astrophotography.
I own a d5500 atm but will most likely upgrade as my skill do. so far just the "kit" Tamron 18-270 f/3,5/6.3.

Now, i am looking to get a "better" lens , wider and faster ofc.
I've seen many good shots with a Samyang/Rokinon 14/2.8 but they also seem to be inconsistent in quality (QC seems to be really bad)
I've come across a Nikon AF DX NIKKOR 10,5 mm F2.8 ED Gthat looks interesting. any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks you in advance
 

pforsell

Senior Member
Hello, i am also new here and currently mostly interested in astrophotography.
I own a d5500 atm but will most likely upgrade as my skill do. so far just the "kit" Tamron 18-270 f/3,5/6.3.

Now, i am looking to get a "better" lens , wider and faster ofc.
I've seen many good shots with a Samyang/Rokinon 14/2.8 but they also seem to be inconsistent in quality (QC seems to be really bad)
I've come across a Nikon AF DX NIKKOR 10,5 mm F2.8 ED Gthat looks interesting. any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks you in advance

The 10.5/2.8 Fisheye Nikkor is a superb lens. There's one caveat though. On your camera body that lens does not autofocus. It is of the older AF design, not AF-S or AF-P which both have the autofocus motor in the lens built-in.

Other than that, awesome lens. I have "shaved" mine (cut the lens hood off) to shoot almost spherical fisheye shots with FX cameras.

shaved.jpg
 

Arx_X

New member
thanks pforsell for the input. i think they might have posted the wrong name of the objective on the site they are selling it since the description says it does have autofocus. it also is described as "AF-Motor" under autofocus-mode.

what would be a suitable alternative?
 
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Arx_X

New member
thoughts on Sigma A 30 mm F1.4 DC HSM ? I know something around 20mm or less is better for astrophotography, especially on APS-C
 

Arx_X

New member
okay, it seems there's no way around it and i will have to upgrade the body.
was thinking a D750 would be good/great from what i've read.
I am guessing many here use it so opinions should be plenty.

besides astrophotography (no deep space yet) i would like to shoot sports events (Horse Jump Off). Would you take another body?
 

pforsell

Senior Member
okay, it seems there's no way around it and i will have to upgrade the body.
was thinking a D750 would be good/great from what i've read.
I am guessing many here use it so opinions should be plenty.

besides astrophotography (no deep space yet) i would like to shoot sports events (Horse Jump Off). Would you take another body?

The D750 is small, light, nimble and very capable camera. It has excellent autofocus for action shooting. Currently the price is very attractive.

There are naturally a few downsides too but I have been mob attacked by the management several times in the past for the crime of mentioning them. Sorry. Only half of the story about D750 allowed here.
 

Arx_X

New member
okay, so i'll rephrase my question or order to avoid any unpleasant reactions..

if you had to buy a FX body now, in that price-range, what would you pick? :cool:
 

aroy

Senior Member
You actually do not need AF for astrography, as all your objects are at "Infinity". What you use is a wide angle Manual Focus. Check its infinity focus on Live View, and leave it there. Now just point to the sky and shoot.
 

Arx_X

New member
You actually do not need AF for astrography, as all your objects are at "Infinity". What you use is a wide angle Manual Focus. Check its infinity focus on Live View, and leave it there. Now just point to the sky and shoot.

yes, i know , but it would also be a waste to buy a fast lens and not be able to use it outside of astrophotography.
I always turn AF off on the current lens i am using when i shoot for the stars
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
okay, so i'll rephrase my question or order to avoid any unpleasant reactions..

if you had to buy a FX body now, in that price-range, what would you pick? :cool:

Arx_X I don't see any specific price range listed, but I love my D750. The articulating screen means you can hold the camera low to the ground and use Live View rather than having to lie down and compose your images (or blindly take photos close to the ground).
 

Arx_X

New member
Arx_X I don't see any specific price range listed, but I love my D750. The articulating screen means you can hold the camera low to the ground and use Live View rather than having to lie down and compose your images (or blindly take photos close to the ground).

Price range would be around that of a d750 :) . Not sure it would make sense to get a Z6 as my first FX. As many others i am also not even sure if DSLR or Mirrorless( although i prefer DSLR so far)
as for the articulating screen , i use it on the DX i own and it is indeed a nice feature
 
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