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10-08-2015, 10:37 AM   #1
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Astrophotography lens??

I am moving to the Hopi Rez in AZ at about 6000 ft.
I will be close to the geographic middle of nowhere.
Less than 7,000 total residents on a large Reservation.

I noticed that the K3 ii has Astro tracking capability.
Could I have a recommendation for a lens to photograph the dark night AZ sky.
I am now considering the purchase of a K3 ii but will wait until the Full Frame Pentax is released to see if it has Astrophoto tracking.

-- Dan

10-08-2015, 11:36 AM   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by Danaher Dempsey Quote
I am moving to the Hopi Rez in AZ at about 6000 ft.
I will be close to the geographic middle of nowhere.
Less than 7,000 total residents on a large Reservation.

I noticed that the K3 ii has Astro tracking capability.
Could I have a recommendation for a lens to photograph the dark night AZ sky.
I am now considering the purchase of a K3 ii but will wait until the Full Frame Pentax is released to see if it has Astrophoto tracking.

-- Dan
As I said in the other thread
QuoteQuote:
Astrotracer with K-3 ii is the same as other pentax DSLRs with the O-GPS1 unit.
It uses the SR in the dslr to track stars for a short time (Up to 5 minutes)
Here is a review of using Astrotracer on K-3 (should apply to K-3II but won't require the O-GPS1):
Pentax Astrotracer Review: Astrophotography Made Easier - DigitalCameraReview

Lenses for astrophotography should be fast and have infinity focus.
Depending on what FoV you want depends on the focal length of your lens.

Hope this helps!
The K-3II astrotracer capabilities come from a built-in GPS, other pentax DSLRs have the ability but need a GPS unit: O-GPS1.
The Pentax FF when released may or may not have built in GPS. But no doubt the upcoming FF camera will support astrotracer with O-GPS1 if it doesn't have built in GPS.
10-08-2015, 12:16 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by Danaher Dempsey Quote
I am moving to the Hopi Rez in AZ at about 6000 ft.
I will be close to the geographic middle of nowhere.
Less than 7,000 total residents on a large Reservation.

I noticed that the K3 ii has Astro tracking capability.
Could I have a recommendation for a lens to photograph the dark night AZ sky.
I am now considering the purchase of a K3 ii but will wait until the Full Frame Pentax is released to see if it has Astrophoto tracking.

-- Dan
I've used everything from my 17-50 f/2.8 to my 150-500 to photograph the night sky. It all depends on what you want.
10-08-2015, 12:36 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Danaher Dempsey Quote
I am moving to the Hopi Rez in AZ at about 6000 ft.
I will be close to the geographic middle of nowhere.
Less than 7,000 total residents on a large Reservation.

I noticed that the K3 ii has Astro tracking capability.
Could I have a recommendation for a lens to photograph the dark night AZ sky.
I am now considering the purchase of a K3 ii but will wait until the Full Frame Pentax is released to see if it has Astrophoto tracking.

-- Dan
The go-to lens for starscapes would be a fast wide-angle. AF is not needed, and since Pentax's selection of fast primes is lacking, I'd recommend something like the Samyang 16mm F2 or 24mm F1.4, depending on how wide you want to go.


Adam
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10-08-2015, 03:57 PM   #5
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Honestly, I'd get a decent tracker to go with your new FF.
Pixel shift in a FF with a tracking mount should give great results.
I suspect spending good money on a good body for the Astrotracer function might be disappointing.
10-12-2015, 04:01 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Ian.morgan Quote
Honestly, I'd get a decent tracker to go with your new FF.
I agree. You will be UP there! (envious)
The new FA 150-450 just delivered some fantastic results for me last night, this is on crop of course!

Last edited by Ex Finn.; 10-12-2015 at 04:07 PM.
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