Astrophotography is one of the most challenging genres of the medium. While it takes ample effort and time to get a star trail correctly, fortunately, finding the perfect lens doesn’t have to rain on your parade. In fact, some of the most effective lenses can cost you a few hundred dollars and not more. We aren’t joking. If you are new to the genre, you have arrived at the right post because our guide to the best lenses for astrophotography has some exciting updates.
At this point, our guide has a total of 16 distinct, best lenses for astrophotography. The number may seem small, but considering the best is not made every year, you have ample options to choose from. Unlike other publications, we test our lenses in varied real-world situations before recommending them. Furthermore, our articles are written by humans, so it is safe to say you get exactly what you see. And that’s all the more reason for you to trust us.
Coming back to our guide, we have listed lenses not just from Canon and Sony but also from third-party lens manufacturers. Of course, the latter are likely to be far more cost-effective, but you may miss out on weather resistance. Again, this is purely based on the brand you are going for. However, we hope some companies work on them, especially if the lens is closer to $500.
With this update, you will also see some exciting additions. For instance, the Laowa 28mm f1.2 is the first of its kind. At the time of the review last year, we did not find a 28mm lens with a wide aperture like f1.2. Furthermore, as an apochromatic lens, anything you focus on will pop up in the picture. There is another prime, the AstrHori 12mm Fisheye lens, which offers an 185°angle view, and with a short focusing distance, you can make your subjects stand out. Then we have something from Sigma that was launched this year: Sigma 14mm f1.4 Art. While we have many 14mm lenses, there are few f1.4 apertures. In addition, it has autofocus and is designed to fight off sagittal coma flares.
On the zoom front, Canon launched the RF 15-35mm f2.8 L IS USM, which is a great addition for mirrorless mount users. It is sharp and offers great image quality but has some vignetting at wider ends. However, the weather-resistant build and the zoom range can impress a few.
We also have some trusted old lenses from Sigma, Olympus, and Tamron, which can be quite a treat for you. They may be old, but they are pretty well in shape. As we said before, nobody makes a bad lens or a camera today. What matters is the character and how unique the picture is. For instance, a bit of distortion will not ruin your photograph but add flavor. It is far better than capturing images that look exactly like the sea of other images online.
We hope that the guide for the best lenses for astrophotography can help you choose the best. We have also listed a few tips to help you pick the right lens. Check out various sites and compare prices before you make a purchase. A few bucks here and there will not save much, but it does contribute.
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