Better lens for Aurora photo`s

[oldfruit]

Hi,

 

I am currently using a Canon 100D with a stock 18-55 mm lens to do Aurora pictures. I am fairly happy with my results but am convinced I could do much better. Many times when I see good Aurora pictures, the kit mentioned usually has a fast f ration lens, f2.8, f2.5, f1.8 etc. The lowest f ratio on my stock lens is f3.5.

My question is are there any reasonably prices faster f ratio widefield lenses available as they all seem to be £500 +?

Thanks.

[Beulah]

You'll most likely need a good wide angle, fast lens...there are a few available within £500...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SAMYANG-2-8-UMC-Wide-angle-Lens/dp/B004CS2VMQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1522526423&sr=1-1&keywords=samyang+14mm+canon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tokina-10-17mm-F3-5-4-5-Fisheye-Without/dp/B0085SHY30

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samyang-F1-4-Manual-Focus-Canon/dp/B00746TSTM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1522526445&sr=1-1&keywords=samyang+24mm

I'm sure others will come up with more... 

 

[Fozzie]

I upgraded to a sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 contemporary lens from the kit canon offering.. it was around £360 from memory. I called in at a specific camera specialist and asked their advice for exactly the same question.  It's very similar in size, wider at 72mm mix of ed lenses.. it's a very nice lens, taken some fantastic shots with it.. 

Took it to Lapland this winter, it didn't disappoint at all.. very worth while consideration as a general kit lens upgrade and fast enough at f2.8 to keep exposure times down..

The sigma is on the left... not sure how much the art version of the lens would be (like the canon "L" series spec) but maybe worth a look on that..

Comes with lenses hood too... and it's not bad on Aurora shots either!

Hth

Fozzie

 

[oldfruit]

Thank you Beulah, still a bit pricey but looks to be better than what I had found previously.

[oldfruit]

20 minutes ago, Fozzie said:

I upgraded to a sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 contemporary lens from the kit canon offering.. it was around £360 from memory. I called in at a specific camera specialist and asked their advice for exactly the same question.  It's very similar in size, wider at 72mm mix of ed lenses.. it's a very nice lens, taken some fantastic shots with it.. 

Took it to Lapland this winter, it didn't disappoint at all.. very worth while consideration as a general kit lens upgrade and fast enough at f2.8 to keep exposure times down..

The sigma is on the left... not sure how much the art version of the lens would be (like the canon "L" series spec) but maybe worth a look on that..

Comes with lenses hood too... and it's not bad on Aurora shots either!

Hth

Fozzie

 

Lovely results,

Nothing quite so spectacular from here in Lincolnshire.

[Alien 13]

The Samyangs are very good wide lenses but if you can manage with something a bit longer focal length then the 50 mm f1.8 STM or the 40 mm pancake STM lens (both Canon) are good performers.

Alan

[Fozzie]

2 minutes ago, oldfruit said:

Lovely results,

Nothing quite so spectacular from here in Lincolnshire.

I'd be more than happy with those... excellent from our shores! 

[oldfruit]

Thanks, Just looking to reduce exposure times and noise levels with lower ISO

[geordie85]

If u didn't already have one, I'd snap this up https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/used-equipment/used-photo-and-video/used-lenses/used-canon-fit-lenses/samyang-14mm-f-2-8-if-ed-umc-canon-fit/sku-716415/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4_zVBRDVARIsAFNI9eDD5cYE5Q0xqz13dUm1kV2SCa37CS66ToL6u4xziN6rHKCiTUjWbFIaAhumEALw_wcB

[Space Ranger]

Although faster lenses are definitely beneficial for aurora and nightscapes imaging I have been using a Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 lens for a few years now and it produces decent results . It can be bought for a little over £300 and gives a wider field of view than the 14mm Samyang will on a cropped sensor camera like the 100D.

[Jkulin]

I have a Samyang 14mm F2.8 that I use on my Nikon D800, absolutely superb piece of glass and you can regularly pick them up S/H for around £200

[newbie alert]

I'd recommend samyang lenses.. 24mm at 1.4 is awesome..or the 14mm at 2.8( I prefer fixed rather than zoom lenses)

Sigma is maybe a better performer but at a higher price..

[Space Ranger]

14 hours ago, newbie alert said:

I'd recommend samyang lenses.. 24mm at 1.4 is awesome..or the 14mm at 2.8( I prefer fixed rather than zoom lenses)

Sigma is maybe a better performer but at a higher price..

I agree, the Samyang lenses are very good. I have 2 friends that use the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 - their night pics (using a Canon 750D and 5DMkII) look great - I wouldn't say the Sigma 10-20mm I have is any better optically. I bought my lens for use in the daytime and at night, so wanted the autofocus capability the Samyang doesn't have. Also with a cropped sensor (as my 760D camera has), the Samyang has an equivalent focal length of 22mm, as opposed to 16mm with the Sigma. This can make quite a difference when shooting landscapes/nightscapes/aurora - hence why I decided the Sigma was the lens best fitting my needs (& budget), even though it wasn't quite as fast a lens. The Sigma lens has served me well - couple of examples attached.

[celestron8g8]

Good choices on all lens mentioned . Very nice images everyone !!