For Milky Way shots, should I use 17mm f/2.8 or 10mm f/4.5?
Asked 8/18/2014
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I’m planning my first Milky Way shoot and want to avoid noticeable star trails. I’m choosing between two lenses:
- Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8
- Canon 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6
At similar focal lengths, the Sigma seems better because it is much faster. But if I compare the widest settings, which is the better choice for astrophotography: 17mm at f/2.8 or 10mm at f/4.5?
Does the wider 10mm lens gather any practical advantage for Milky Way shooting, or is the main difference just field of view?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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If your goal is to minimize star trails then the wider aperture is always preferred.
The wider angle lens will allow you to get more of the milky way in a single shot, but if you are comfortable and willing to stitch multiple images together then it doesn't matter much.
Originally by user4892. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4892
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For minimizing star trails and capturing a stronger Milky Way exposure, use the faster lens: 17mm at f/2.8.
The 10mm lens gives a wider field of view, so you can fit more sky into one frame, but that does not make it a “brighter” choice. The key tradeoff here is field of view versus aperture. A wider focal length can tolerate a longer shutter before trails become obvious, but f/2.8 lets in much more light than f/4.5, which is usually the bigger advantage for Milky Way work.
So if your priority is the cleanest single exposure with less need to push ISO, the Sigma at 17mm f/2.8 is the better option.
Choose the 10mm only if you specifically want the extra-wide perspective in one shot. If you’re willing to stitch multiple images, the wider lens matters less because you can build a broader view from several frames shot with the 17mm lens.
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AI11y ago
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