Lenses for Astrotracer

Igor Sotelo · 08-27-2022, 06:06 AM - **1 Like**

I bought my Pentax K-1 II primarily to shot stars in the sky and deep space objects.

So far have the Pentax-D FA 15-30mm 2.8 that should be good to use with the Astrotracer.

Next, I have the Pentax-M 50mm 1.4, from my Pentax MX, that I think to upgrade to the Pentax-D FA* 50mm 1.4. This lens apparently has some comatic aberrations, but should be good for panoramas. The 85mm is slightly better, but more expensive and complicated to get used.

My next lens is the Pentax-D FA 100mm 2.8 WR Macro, but this lens has much bokeh fringing, and is not apparently a good option for astrophotography.

From there on, I thought about the highly regarded Rokinon 135mm 2.0 ED. Too bad there is no way to use my Zeiss APO Sonnar 2/135 ZF.2 or Voigtlander Macro APO Lanthar 125mm 2.5 SL, the last one will God willing arrive in few days, but unfortunately both are for Nikon. That being said, the Rokinon also seems to be an APO lens and is much less expensive. Initially the idea was to get the Pentax D FA 150-450mm 4.5-5.6 but this lens is very expensive and it’s f stops are a bit slow.

What other lens is recommended over 135mm 2.0 for astrophotography? Is something like the Pentax-A* 300mm f/4 suitable?

Arne Martin · 08-27-2022, 07:29 AM - **1 Like**

Hi Igor and welcome to the forum !
I was lucky to find a used D FA 150-450mm on ebay for a very nice prize. The only lense I have tested for astro objects and it is awesome !
Here is my test image:Andromeda from Tenerife - PentaxForums.com

Another solution could be getting a smaller telescope and use an adaptor to mount your K-1 II ? Some of them are cheaper than the 150-450 mm for sure.

Igor Sotelo · 08-27-2022, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by Arne Martin

Hi Igor and welcome to the forum !
I was lucky to find a used D FA 150-450mm on ebay for a very nice prize. The only lense I have tested for astro objects and it is awesome !
Here is my test image:Andromeda from Tenerife - PentaxForums.com

Another solution could be getting a smaller telescope and use an adaptor to mount your K-1 II ? Some of them are cheaper than the 150-450 mm for sure.

Perhaps it will be better to stick with the original plan and get the Pentax D FA 150-450mm 4.5-5.6.

Btw, what focal length did you use for your photos?

---------- Post added 08-27-22 at 09:23 PM ----------

Originally posted by Michaelina2

Check out...

https://youtu.be/qigGXEcf7hE

Their YouTube channel contains tons of useful info.

Cheers... M

BTW: They have lots of good things to say about Pentax HD DFA 28-105.

Interesting, I was also surprised when I took a good look at the K-1 and the K-1 II. It’s better in many aspects compared to my other high resolution cameras (A7R II, D800 and 5DS).

Arne Martin · 09-09-2022, 03:07 AM

Originally posted by Igor Sotelo

Perhaps it will be better to stick with the original plan and get the Pentax D FA 150-450mm 4.5-5.6.

Btw, what focal length did you use for your photos?

---------- Post added 08-27-22 at 09:23 PM ----------

Interesting, I was also surprised when I took a good look at the K-1 and the K-1 II. It’s better in many aspects compared to my other high resolution cameras (A7R II, D800 and 5DS).

Sorry for late answer, but I was driving around Denmark and Germany on my motorsycle.
I used the full lenght 450 for the session.

08-27-2022, 06:06 AM - 1 Like	#1
Igor Sotelo New Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Montréal, QC Posts: 23	Lenses for Astrotracer I bought my Pentax K-1 II primarily to shot stars in the sky and deep space objects. So far have the Pentax-D FA 15-30mm 2.8 that should be good to use with the Astrotracer. Next, I have the Pentax-M 50mm 1.4, from my Pentax MX, that I think to upgrade to the Pentax-D FA* 50mm 1.4. This lens apparently has some comatic aberrations, but should be good for panoramas. The 85mm is slightly better, but more expensive and complicated to get used. My next lens is the Pentax-D FA 100mm 2.8 WR Macro, but this lens has much bokeh fringing, and is not apparently a good option for astrophotography. From there on, I thought about the highly regarded Rokinon 135mm 2.0 ED. Too bad there is no way to use my Zeiss APO Sonnar 2/135 ZF.2 or Voigtlander Macro APO Lanthar 125mm 2.5 SL, the last one will God willing arrive in few days, but unfortunately both are for Nikon. That being said, the Rokinon also seems to be an APO lens and is much less expensive. Initially the idea was to get the Pentax D FA 150-450mm 4.5-5.6 but this lens is very expensive and it’s f stops are a bit slow. What other lens is recommended over 135mm 2.0 for astrophotography? Is something like the Pentax-A* 300mm f/4 suitable?

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08-27-2022, 07:29 AM - 1 Like	#2
Arne Martin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Kristiansand Photos: Albums Posts: 124	Hi Igor and welcome to the forum ! I was lucky to find a used D FA 150-450mm on ebay for a very nice prize. The only lense I have tested for astro objects and it is awesome ! Here is my test image:Andromeda from Tenerife - PentaxForums.com Another solution could be getting a smaller telescope and use an adaptor to mount your K-1 II ? Some of them are cheaper than the 150-450 mm for sure.

08-27-2022, 09:19 PM	#3
Igor Sotelo New Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Montréal, QC Posts: 23 Original Poster	Originally posted by Arne Martin Hi Igor and welcome to the forum ! I was lucky to find a used D FA 150-450mm on ebay for a very nice prize. The only lense I have tested for astro objects and it is awesome ! Here is my test image:Andromeda from Tenerife - PentaxForums.com Another solution could be getting a smaller telescope and use an adaptor to mount your K-1 II ? Some of them are cheaper than the 150-450 mm for sure. Perhaps it will be better to stick with the original plan and get the Pentax D FA 150-450mm 4.5-5.6. Btw, what focal length did you use for your photos? ---------- Post added 08-27-22 at 09:23 PM ---------- Originally posted by Michaelina2 Check out... https://youtu.be/qigGXEcf7hE Their YouTube channel contains tons of useful info. Cheers... M BTW: They have lots of good things to say about Pentax HD DFA 28-105. Interesting, I was also surprised when I took a good look at the K-1 and the K-1 II. It’s better in many aspects compared to my other high resolution cameras (A7R II, D800 and 5DS).

09-09-2022, 03:07 AM	#4
Arne Martin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Kristiansand Photos: Albums Posts: 124	Originally posted by Igor Sotelo Perhaps it will be better to stick with the original plan and get the Pentax D FA 150-450mm 4.5-5.6. Btw, what focal length did you use for your photos? ---------- Post added 08-27-22 at 09:23 PM ---------- Interesting, I was also surprised when I took a good look at the K-1 and the K-1 II. It’s better in many aspects compared to my other high resolution cameras (A7R II, D800 and 5DS). Sorry for late answer, but I was driving around Denmark and Germany on my motorsycle. I used the full lenght 450 for the session.

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