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**Banskojoe** · 08-06-2018, 12:04 PM

I'm going to try shooting the Persieds with my K-01.

On line advice says short focal length and wide aperture.

My options are:

Pentax A 50mm f1.7
Sigma 24mm f2.8
Pentax 18-135mm f3.5

Suggestions please.

Thanks in advance.

HarisF1 · 08-06-2018, 12:43 PM - **1 Like**

I think you'd be best served by either the Sigma or the 18-135, depending on whichever has better performance at a specific aperture. Do a couple of tests that will allow you to find the ideal settings. Compare the two lenses side by side at 24mm and maybe f/4 or f/5.6, and the ISO set to a reasonable value to obtain a pleasing night time image. You'd want to expose for maybe 20 to 30 seconds, and sensitivity set so that a meteor streak can be detected. A plane flyover may give you an idea as to the effect of a meteor on your image.

**UncleVanya** · 08-06-2018, 01:20 PM

From an earlier conversation on another thread the longer lens may give a brighter result even at a higher f/stop. The rationale was pinpoint light sources behave differently. The problem however is that the longer the lens the less of the sky you are viewing. I don't know anything about other factors but I would suggest that the 24mm is the best compromise of the choices.

steve_k · 08-06-2018, 03:27 PM

Not an expert in the field. But I think it all depends on the composition. If you are going to be including landscape in your photo I think you would want to go as wide as you can. If you are just shooting the stars I think you would want to use longer lenses and pick specific objects to photograph.

Just my 2 cents

Cthulhugan · 08-06-2018, 05:54 PM

Meteor showers radiate all over the sky from their central point. You want as wide an angle as possible, so if it were me I’d shoot with the 18-135 at 18 and either wide open or down a half-stop. 18 is MUCH wider than 24, and that beats the extra half-stop. Also, be sure you know where infinity focus is before you go out in the dark. Tape down the focus and zoom rings to avoid bumping them.

**W412ren** · 08-07-2018, 06:05 AM

Wide is good; 24mm works well though for Perseids as there tend to be a lot. Pick an area of sky and just keep taking shots. 😊
This is a cropped image, K-5 with A series 24mm f2.8.

Perseid_001 by -Wargus-

08-06-2018, 12:04 PM	#1
Banskojoe Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 181	50mm f1.7 vs. 24mm f2.8 vs. 18mm f3.5 I'm going to try shooting the Persieds with my K-01. On line advice says short focal length and wide aperture. My options are: Pentax A 50mm f1.7 Sigma 24mm f2.8 Pentax 18-135mm f3.5 Suggestions please. Thanks in advance.

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08-06-2018, 12:43 PM - 1 Like	#2
HarisF1 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 543	I think you'd be best served by either the Sigma or the 18-135, depending on whichever has better performance at a specific aperture. Do a couple of tests that will allow you to find the ideal settings. Compare the two lenses side by side at 24mm and maybe f/4 or f/5.6, and the ISO set to a reasonable value to obtain a pleasing night time image. You'd want to expose for maybe 20 to 30 seconds, and sensitivity set so that a meteor streak can be detected. A plane flyover may give you an idea as to the effect of a meteor on your image.

08-06-2018, 01:20 PM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,476	From an earlier conversation on another thread the longer lens may give a brighter result even at a higher f/stop. The rationale was pinpoint light sources behave differently. The problem however is that the longer the lens the less of the sky you are viewing. I don't know anything about other factors but I would suggest that the 24mm is the best compromise of the choices.

08-06-2018, 03:27 PM	#4
steve_k Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Shelton, CT Photos: Albums Posts: 708	Not an expert in the field. But I think it all depends on the composition. If you are going to be including landscape in your photo I think you would want to go as wide as you can. If you are just shooting the stars I think you would want to use longer lenses and pick specific objects to photograph. Just my 2 cents

08-06-2018, 05:54 PM	#5
Cthulhugan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 227	Meteor showers radiate all over the sky from their central point. You want as wide an angle as possible, so if it were me I’d shoot with the 18-135 at 18 and either wide open or down a half-stop. 18 is MUCH wider than 24, and that beats the extra half-stop. Also, be sure you know where infinity focus is before you go out in the dark. Tape down the focus and zoom rings to avoid bumping them.

08-07-2018, 06:05 AM	#6
W412ren Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Fareham, Hampshire Photos: Albums Posts: 570	Wide is good; 24mm works well though for Perseids as there tend to be a lot. Pick an area of sky and just keep taking shots. 😊 This is a cropped image, K-5 with A series 24mm f2.8. Perseid_001 by -Wargus-

50mm f1.7 vs. 24mm f2.8 vs. 18mm f3.5

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