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Old 22-09-2008, 04:55 PM
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Which Canon Lens?

ok camera gurus, not having done any camera and lens astrophotography l need some advice on lenses. l have done some research and come up with a couple of early front runners and would appreciate comments on either of these, good or bad.
1. 135mm EF f/2L USM
2. EF70-200 f/2.8L USM both of these are the same price so money isn't an issue. thanks.
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Old 22-09-2008, 05:31 PM
Ian Robinson
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Originally Posted by mick pinner View Post
ok camera gurus, not having done any camera and lens astrophotography l need some advice on lenses. l have done some research and come up with a couple of early front runners and would appreciate comments on either of these, good or bad.
1. 135mm EF f/2L USM
2. EF70-200 f/2.8L USM both of these are the same price so money isn't an issue. thanks.

I'd go for, and will be going for, when the AUD is back at a respectable level cf the USD , the EF 70-200 f/2.8L (IS model) .... I will be using it for more than just astrophotography.

Only gaining one stop to get the EF 135mm f/2L . It's also a bit smaller 72mm diam cf 77mm diam for the EF 70-200 f/2.8L so you'll loose some the advantage of going from f2.8 to f2 in the light gathering stakes.
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Old 22-09-2008, 05:34 PM
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thanks lan, but wouldn't the smaller aperture be offset by longer exposures?
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Old 22-09-2008, 06:54 PM
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Mick I would definitly go for the 135mm F/2.0 it is a fantastic piece of glass, dead sharp and super quick, and really a great wide field imaging lens

Leon
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Old 22-09-2008, 06:58 PM
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thanks Leon, appreciate the response.
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Old 22-09-2008, 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Ian Robinson View Post
Only gaining one stop to get the EF 135mm f/2L . It's also a bit smaller 72mm diam cf 77mm diam for the EF 70-200 f/2.8L so you'll loose some the advantage of going from f2.8 to f2 in the light gathering stakes.
The diff in diameter is negligible.
The 135mm is a superb lens, sharp as a tack and has beautiful bokeh for terrestrial.
It's a top performer for both terrestrial and astro.

The biggest advantage of the 70-200 f/2.8 over the 135mm is obviously the zoom range.

It's a hard choice, I'd buy the 135mm but if you want the versatility go for the 70-200mm f/2.8.

You won't regret either.
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Old 22-09-2008, 08:06 PM
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I don't have the 70-200 but I do have the 135 and it is a fantastic lense. Here's a shot from Duckadang last year that RB processed for me, and a shot of Eta Carina and the Southern Pleiades from earlier this year.
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Old 22-09-2008, 08:59 PM
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very nice Paul, thank you.
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Old 25-09-2008, 03:09 PM
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I'd go for, and will be going for, when the AUD is back at a respectable level cf the USD , the EF 70-200 f/2.8L (IS model) .... I will be using it for more than just astrophotography.

Only gaining one stop to get the EF 135mm f/2L . It's also a bit smaller 72mm diam cf 77mm diam for the EF 70-200 f/2.8L so you'll loose some the advantage of going from f2.8 to f2 in the light gathering stakes.
You gain more than one stop. The 135 kicks the hell out of the 70-200.

The 70-200 only really gets sharp from f/4'ish. It's ok at 2.8 but the 135 makes a mockery of it there. In addition the 135 has nicer bokeh and much better colour/saturation/sharpness/contrast at wide apertures.

I do own both lenses and the 70-200 is certainly more convenient but it's not a match for the 135 optically.
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Old 25-09-2008, 04:21 PM
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You gain more than one stop. The 135 kicks the hell out of the 70-200.

The 70-200 only really gets sharp from f/4'ish. It's ok at 2.8 but the 135 makes a mockery of it there. In addition the 135 has nicer bokeh and much better colour/saturation/sharpness/contrast at wide apertures.

I do own both lenses and the 70-200 is certainly more convenient but it's not a match for the 135 optically.
Absolutely agree Gav.

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Old 25-09-2008, 05:53 PM
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How about the Canon 200mm F2.8 just wanted to throw that in as well.
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Old 25-09-2008, 07:15 PM
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From Photokina 2008

Canon 200mm F2
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Old 25-09-2008, 08:03 PM
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From Photokina 2008

Canon 200mm F2
Yep ... it's a nice bit of kit , 100mm clear apeture is a big + .
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...elTechSpecsAct
but at Price local range: $6,795.00 to $7,369.00 ... !!!

Better off going for nice fast 150 -200 mm apo with field flattener.
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Old 25-09-2008, 08:49 PM
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If the lens is ONLY for astro imaging, the 135mm F/2L is brilliant (as is clearly shown by Paul's images) the next option from that in my opinion is the 200mm F/2.8L, and Im sure the 200mm F/2L would be Awesome!!

of the 70-200mm family of lenses from canon all have varying quality. As far as I've seen (and I've owned them all at one stage or another)
In order of sharpness at their wide open apertures, F/4L IS, F/4L, F/2.8L, F/2.8L IS.

If its primarily for astro imaging, IS is really really not needed or used...

If I were in the market for a widefield lens at the moment, I'd be looking at the 135mm F/2L... I use my 70-200 F/4L @ 135mm all the time, as I love the incredible wide field.. you can just fit sooo much in..

My 15c.
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Old 25-09-2008, 10:14 PM
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If the lens is ONLY for astro imaging, the 135mm F/2L is brilliant (as is clearly shown by Paul's images) the next option from that in my opinion is the 200mm F/2.8L, and Im sure the 200mm F/2L would be Awesome!!

of the 70-200mm family of lenses from canon all have varying quality. As far as I've seen (and I've owned them all at one stage or another)
In order of sharpness at their wide open apertures, F/4L IS, F/4L, F/2.8L, F/2.8L IS.

If its primarily for astro imaging, IS is really really not needed or used...

If I were in the market for a widefield lens at the moment, I'd be looking at the 135mm F/2L... I use my 70-200 F/4L @ 135mm all the time, as I love the incredible wide field.. you can just fit sooo much in..

My 15c.
Yep , but for a lens that will be used more often in "normal" photography , the IS version is a definite + .

And the flexibility of 70-200mm f/2.8 is fabulous.
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Old 26-09-2008, 09:04 AM
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i got the 200/2 a fortnight ago

was over 7k though!
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Old 26-09-2008, 09:14 AM
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i got the 200/2 a fortnight ago
was over 7k though!
I'd love to see some pics Gav, start a thread in terrestrial with some sample shots of your work.

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Old 26-09-2008, 12:33 PM
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Me too!! Looks like it would be a real ripper.
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Old 26-09-2008, 02:23 PM
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I've only used it at 1 wedding so far so not enough for a whole thread, heres 1 pic though ;

http://www.catoandpade.com.au/Featur...091/MCp091.jpg
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Old 26-09-2008, 03:21 PM
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I've only used it at 1 wedding so far so not enough for a whole thread, heres 1 pic though ;

http://www.catoandpade.com.au/Featur...091/MCp091.jpg
How's your back ?... lugging a big chunk of L glass like that about for hours at weddings must be murder.
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