Which lens for landscape AND milky way photography

Carpethediem · 03-03-2015, 06:10 AM - **1 Like**

Hello all. I've lurked long on this forum and couldn't come up with a decision. I've given up and would like to hear everyones opinion. I'm looking for a lens that can produce great landscape shots as well as night sky and milky way shots. I've read great things about the DA 15mm and the 12-24mm lenses for landscape shots. Almost pulled the trigger, but then thought to myself. Investing that much into a lens, could it handle night shots? They both are only F4 and I'm afraid it wouldn't be fast enough to capture the milky way or even stars without comas. Are there any lens out there that could do both? Or am I under estimating the power of the 15? and 12-24mm? I'm looking to spend no more than $600 and size and weight isn't an issue for me. -Mike

ChristianRock · 03-03-2015, 06:17 AM - **1 Like**

The Samyang / Rokinon 16mm f2 is an option if manual focus isnt an issue.

mikeodial · 03-03-2015, 06:22 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

The Samyang / Rokinon 16mm f2 is an option if manual focus isnt an issue.

I had to sell my Rokinon 14mm for Pentax, which I loved. It has a very good reputation for astrophotography.

**SunValley** · 03-03-2015, 06:34 AM

Have a look at AstroBin | AstroBin. You can do a search for a lens and see how it fares with astro targets. You'll see if the lens has CA, coma, vignetting...

Good luck

DeadJohn · 03-03-2015, 06:59 AM

Lenstip.com is a good resource. They routinely test lenses for coma distortion.

The Samyang 14/2.8 and 16/2 are popular for milky way shots. They are sharp with minimal coma wide open. You have to focus using liveview because Samyang does a poor job calibrating the distance scale on the focusing ring.

VisualDarkness · 03-03-2015, 06:59 AM

The Samyang/Rokinon etc 14mm is fameus for basically not having any coma at all, which makes it great for astro.

Outis · 03-03-2015, 07:12 AM - **2 Likes**

Hmm, I was going to recommend the 31mm Limited f/1.8, but I see that's outside your budget (currently around $1050). Still, you might consider something with a similar focal length and aperture-- I see that the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for Pentax is around $500. I've gotten some great astrophotography out of my 31mm, and it's still my most-used focal length for landscapes, even though there are situations that only the 15mm can handle. Some examples--

f/1.8, ISO 800, 8-second exposure:

VisualDarkness · 03-03-2015, 07:32 AM

Originally posted by Outis

Hmm, I was going to recommend the 31mm Limited f/1.8, but I see that's outside your budget (currently around $1050). Still, you might consider something with a similar focal length and aperture-- I see that the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for Pentax is around $500. I've gotten some great astrophotography out of my 31mm, and it's still my most-used focal length for landscapes, even though there are situations that only the 15mm can handle. Some examples--

f/1.8, ISO 800, 8-second exposure:

I can see the Orion nebula in the pic!

**Digitalis** · 03-03-2015, 07:58 AM - **4 Likes**

It is with many reservations I will recommend the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 getting this lens, along with the lens dock- a critical accessory. IF you can calibrate the AF properly as needed it will suit your purposes well. But then again for landscape photography AF isn't really needed.

The Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 is also worth a look for this purpose, it is a wide lens - this means with clear skies you can keep the shutter open for longer before the stars will smear into trails. A second hand FA31mm f/1.8 won't set you back as much as a new one - The FA31mm f/1.8 excels at everything.

Pentax K5IIs - Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM

Pentax K5IIs - SMCP-FA31mm f/1.8 Limited

Pentax K5IIs - Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 @ 19mm

Outis · 03-03-2015, 08:29 AM

Also, are you familiar with the Pentax GPS unit, which goes in the hotshoe and can be used for tracking the stars? That might be something you'd want as well, and it could make up for the slower aperture of some of the lenses you mentioned-- I haven't used it personally, though.

VoiceOfReason · 03-03-2015, 09:27 AM

The OGPS-1 works great for astrophotography, but calibrating it is a PITA. Of course if you want good shots of the Milky Way with the landscape in it then you're SOL unless you want to do a shot with the landscape first, and then stack your sky pics, and then combine the two.

I did test the Sigma 18-35 for night sky shots and it is good even wide open on my full spectrum K-01. Watch for stray light though, because it will pick it up and ruin some frames.

**fs999** · 03-03-2015, 09:35 AM

Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art. An excellent lens, not too wide.

Dr_who · 03-03-2015, 10:09 AM - **1 Like**

Really hoping Sigma releases the Sigma 24mm Art for the new Pentax FF as it's optically really good from what I've seen so far.

rrstuff · 03-03-2015, 11:04 AM

I would get the rokinon 16mm F2, or one of the 14mm F2.8. Also, if you have money to spare - the gps module for astrotracker function.

bdery · 03-03-2015, 11:17 AM

Originally posted by Outis

Hmm, I was going to recommend the 31mm Limited f/1.8, but I see that's outside your budget (currently around $1050). Still, you might consider something with a similar focal length and aperture-- I see that the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for Pentax is around $500. I've gotten some great astrophotography out of my 31mm, and it's still my most-used focal length for landscapes, even though there are situations that only the 15mm can handle.

I personally find the DA21 a bit too narrow for milky way shots, so as much as I'd love owning a 31, I don't think it would be my lens of choice for this.

03-03-2015, 06:10 AM - 1 Like	#1
Carpethediem New Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Oregon Posts: 9	Which lens for landscape AND milky way photography Hello all. I've lurked long on this forum and couldn't come up with a decision. I've given up and would like to hear everyones opinion. I'm looking for a lens that can produce great landscape shots as well as night sky and milky way shots. I've read great things about the DA 15mm and the 12-24mm lenses for landscape shots. Almost pulled the trigger, but then thought to myself. Investing that much into a lens, could it handle night shots? They both are only F4 and I'm afraid it wouldn't be fast enough to capture the milky way or even stars without comas. Are there any lens out there that could do both? Or am I under estimating the power of the 15? and 12-24mm? I'm looking to spend no more than $600 and size and weight isn't an issue for me. -Mike

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03-03-2015, 06:17 AM - 1 Like	#2
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,911	The Samyang / Rokinon 16mm f2 is an option if manual focus isnt an issue.

03-03-2015, 06:22 AM	#3
mikeodial Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 370	Originally posted by ChristianRock The Samyang / Rokinon 16mm f2 is an option if manual focus isnt an issue. I had to sell my Rokinon 14mm for Pentax, which I loved. It has a very good reputation for astrophotography.

03-03-2015, 06:34 AM	#4
SunValley Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Montreal, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 574	Have a look at AstroBin \| AstroBin. You can do a search for a lens and see how it fares with astro targets. You'll see if the lens has CA, coma, vignetting... Good luck

03-03-2015, 06:59 AM	#5
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	Lenstip.com is a good resource. They routinely test lenses for coma distortion. The Samyang 14/2.8 and 16/2 are popular for milky way shots. They are sharp with minimal coma wide open. You have to focus using liveview because Samyang does a poor job calibrating the distance scale on the focusing ring.

03-03-2015, 06:59 AM	#6
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	The Samyang/Rokinon etc 14mm is fameus for basically not having any coma at all, which makes it great for astro.

03-03-2015, 07:12 AM - 2 Likes	#7
Outis Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 935	Hmm, I was going to recommend the 31mm Limited f/1.8, but I see that's outside your budget (currently around $1050). Still, you might consider something with a similar focal length and aperture-- I see that the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for Pentax is around $500. I've gotten some great astrophotography out of my 31mm, and it's still my most-used focal length for landscapes, even though there are situations that only the 15mm can handle. Some examples-- f/1.8, ISO 800, 8-second exposure:

03-03-2015, 07:32 AM	#8
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by Outis Hmm, I was going to recommend the 31mm Limited f/1.8, but I see that's outside your budget (currently around $1050). Still, you might consider something with a similar focal length and aperture-- I see that the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for Pentax is around $500. I've gotten some great astrophotography out of my 31mm, and it's still my most-used focal length for landscapes, even though there are situations that only the 15mm can handle. Some examples-- f/1.8, ISO 800, 8-second exposure: I can see the Orion nebula in the pic!

03-03-2015, 07:58 AM - 4 Likes	#9
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	It is with many reservations I will recommend the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 getting this lens, along with the lens dock- a critical accessory. IF you can calibrate the AF properly as needed it will suit your purposes well. But then again for landscape photography AF isn't really needed. The Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 is also worth a look for this purpose, it is a wide lens - this means with clear skies you can keep the shutter open for longer before the stars will smear into trails. A second hand FA31mm f/1.8 won't set you back as much as a new one - The FA31mm f/1.8 excels at everything. Pentax K5IIs - Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM Pentax K5IIs - SMCP-FA31mm f/1.8 Limited Pentax K5IIs - Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 @ 19mm

03-03-2015, 08:29 AM	#10
Outis Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 935	Also, are you familiar with the Pentax GPS unit, which goes in the hotshoe and can be used for tracking the stars? That might be something you'd want as well, and it could make up for the slower aperture of some of the lenses you mentioned-- I haven't used it personally, though.

03-03-2015, 09:27 AM	#11
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	The OGPS-1 works great for astrophotography, but calibrating it is a PITA. Of course if you want good shots of the Milky Way with the landscape in it then you're SOL unless you want to do a shot with the landscape first, and then stack your sky pics, and then combine the two. I did test the Sigma 18-35 for night sky shots and it is good even wide open on my full spectrum K-01. Watch for stray light though, because it will pick it up and ruin some frames.

03-03-2015, 09:35 AM	#12
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,645	Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art. An excellent lens, not too wide.

03-03-2015, 10:09 AM - 1 Like	#13
Dr_who Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 777	Really hoping Sigma releases the Sigma 24mm Art for the new Pentax FF as it's optically really good from what I've seen so far.

03-03-2015, 11:04 AM	#14
rrstuff Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pasadena, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,126	I would get the rokinon 16mm F2, or one of the 14mm F2.8. Also, if you have money to spare - the gps module for astrotracker function.

03-03-2015, 11:17 AM	#15
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,362	Originally posted by Outis Hmm, I was going to recommend the 31mm Limited f/1.8, but I see that's outside your budget (currently around $1050). Still, you might consider something with a similar focal length and aperture-- I see that the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for Pentax is around $500. I've gotten some great astrophotography out of my 31mm, and it's still my most-used focal length for landscapes, even though there are situations that only the 15mm can handle. I personally find the DA21 a bit too narrow for milky way shots, so as much as I'd love owning a 31, I don't think it would be my lens of choice for this.