Nightscape and wide-angle astro photographers have a number of choices for lenses and gear that they didn't have before and NatureTTL has put together a quick rundown of 3 of the most popular lenses for astrophotography; the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art, the Rokinon SP14mm f/2.4, and the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC.
The Sigma versus Rokinon (Samyang is another brand name for the same Rokinon lenses in the USA) debate has been going for a few years now originally starting with the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art and progressing through the releases of the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art, Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art, and the Rokinon 20mm f/1.8 ED AS UMC. Now the 14mm releases have brought the beloved Rokinon 14mm 2.8 to compete with the newest offerings on the market and the positives and negatives of each design are explained in the video.
When looking at different lenses and options as photographers going to areas without light pollution, we may be traveling a distance on foot or by a flight or two. Most of the USA’s population will have to travel to get the most out of their imagery and NatureTTL gives the pros and cons for the lenses given those circumstances. A run down on the benefits of having more light capturing ability and the detriments of the weight and size may steer you towards one lens or the another, not to mention the cost of owning a lens over traveling to a beautiful and dark sky area. I can make a compelling argument for owning each lens, but you’ll need to decide what fits your photography, your travel needs, and your budget. If you’re in the market this holiday season to pick up a new piece of glass, then this comparison video may help make the decision on which wide angle lens will find its way into your bag.
I've got the Rokinon/Samyang 16mm f/2 and I love it for Astro, it's APS-C but that's what I shoot, because I'm poor. Amazingly sharp for the price and minimal distortion considering the focal length. Definitely recommend it. If you shoot Nikon you get the added benefit of the chip so you can change Aperture, read your exposure and check focus (only any good if you can calibrate your lens, my D5500 doesn't allow for it).
Nobody shooting with a D5500 is poor. Maybe not as wealthy as you'd like but definitely, not poor. :-)
Credit card industry thrives on the opposite reality :)
I take your point, your phrasing is prefered "Less wealthy than I'd like"
The 16mm is my only APS-C lens I kept after switching to full frame. The 16mm f/2 and 135mm f/2 are Samyang's sharpest lenses, they are really really good!
I gotta say a peeve I have is this whole Rokinon thing. I know they're one of the main distributors and all that, but it's a SAMYANG lens. He mentions how they all use the same formula in the Rokinon, Samyang, Bower lenses as if Bower and Rokinon made their own versions of it, LOL! Even though it says so on the lens, it's not a Rokinon or a Bower or a Vivitar, it's a SAMYANG! :-)
OK, that aside, really good video. I agree pretty much with his whole rap.
I bought the Samyang lens for 250$ because of how incredible it's image is for the price. That said I bought it ONLY to shoot nightscapes which happens very rarely for me. Glad I have it for when I want to, but I personally don't think I'd ever drop 1,500 on an astro lens unless I started shooting astro way more often. It's also hard for me to justify buying a lens of that price with just one application.
Also good review, wish there was a little more b-roll to the dialogue though.
Hi there.
I am looking for a lens to take astrophoto. Thanks for this review. What do you think about the 15mm f2.4 from Irix ? Seems to be another alternative worth looking at.
Regards
Hi,
I was wondering if you could help me. I have just purchased a Canon 5D mk.iv after getting a great deal(-30%) and wanting to upgrade to my first full-frame sensor. My plan originally was to take landscape and astro-landscape shots whilst traveling, originally i was set on buying 2 lenses to cover both themes of shooting and my choices were:
Carl Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon for Landscape
Rokinon 24mm F/1.4 for Astro-landscape
but i am now thinking the Rokinon has too-narrow a focal length and i should get something more wide to really capture the landscape at night. Is it worth getting both lenses though? Or is there a lens that will cover both these subjects without sacrificing quality in each shooting theme or am i better off keeping the distagon and buying a astro-landscape specific lens? I want to shoot both themes but i am not sure what to buy in terms of a astro-specific lens and even more so now after hearing that many Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 are defective and get returned due to imperfections.
What are my choices in your humble opinion? I have around $2000 for 2 lenses and the majority of that was going to go towards the Distagon(know source i can get for $1100) and the remaining would be for my astro-specific lens although i may be tempted to spend more on something truly worth it . Other people have advised i should get a Sigma 20mm f/1.4 but i am not sure what to get now. Please can you advise based on your experience?
Many Thanks in advance!