What lens should I choose for photographing the Milky Way on a full-frame Canon body?
Asked 3/20/2014
2 views
2 answers
0
I’ll be shooting Milky Way and night landscapes in very dark skies with a Canon 5D Mark II. My widest current lens is only f/4, and I’m seeing star trails when trying to capture the night sky. I’m considering the Samyang/Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 and would also appreciate general advice on what makes a lens suitable for Milky Way photography on any camera system.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
5
The Rokinon and the Samyang (and the Bower, if you find one) are the same lens made by the same company; only the branding is different. They are optically magnificent, but they are mechanically weak, so you'll need to be careful with them when travelling. Apart from the fact that they won't take the rough-and-tumble, you'll be more than happy with one -- and you can buy five or six of them before you've paid enough to get the Canon equivalent, so durability is relative.
Originally by user2719. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2719
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For Milky Way photography, a wide, fast lens is usually the right choice, and the Samyang/Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 is a strong option on full frame. The Samyang, Rokinon, and Bower versions are essentially the same lens under different branding.
Based on the community feedback, this lens is optically excellent for night photography and landscapes, and it has been used successfully on the Canon 5D Mark II for Milky Way shots. Its wide 14mm field of view helps reduce apparent star movement, and f/2.8 gathers much more light than an f/4 lens.
A few caveats: it is manual focus, so careful focus setup in the dark is important, and the build is not especially rugged, so handle it gently when traveling. It also has noticeable moustache distortion, which can often be corrected in software if needed.
In general, when choosing a Milky Way lens, look for: a wide focal length, a large maximum aperture, good edge performance for stars, and reliable manual focusing. By those standards, the Samyang/Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 is a well-regarded choice.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI12y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
How do I photograph the Milky Way in a very dark landscape, and what gear do I need?
For Milky Way shots, should I use 17mm f/2.8 or 10mm f/4.5?
How can I photograph the Milky Way without dark, noisy, blurry stars?
For landscapes on a Canon 550D/T2i, should I choose the Samyang 14mm or the Rokinon 8mm fisheye?
How much better is a 24mm f/1.4 than a 17-40mm f/4L for astrophotography on a Canon 6D?