New astro/daily lens for Canon

[thorpef1]

Hey guys.

I have a Canon 550D with the twin lens kit but looking to get a better lens than the ones supplied.
Im looking for a lens that will be a better performer for basic untracked night shooting aswell as being able to be my day-to-day lens.

I originally thought the Canon 50mm f1.4 but the crop factor of 1.6 on this camera would mean its far from a wide angle that would be ideal

So, the below is what im thinking of:
-Canon 50mm f1.4
-Sigma 50mm f1.4
-Sigma 30mm f1.4
-Canon 28mm f1.8
-Sigma 24mm f1.8
-Sigma 20mm f1.8


I dont want to put all my money into it so im looking second hand around the $250-$300 mark.
What of the above would be a best lens to add into the 18-55, 55-200 cheapies that come with the 550D.
It would also be nice if it would fit full frame cameras if i was to upgrade in the future.

Thanks,
Luke

[pluto]

I have experience with the Canon 28 f1.8, Canon 50 f1.4 and the Sigma 50 f1.4 but my experience is on a full frame camera.

I think the 28mm f1.8 is pretty good, there is a bit of CA and distortion near the edges of frame when shooting stars wide open but that's probably not a big deal on a crop camera.
examples with this lens on 5DmkII here:
https://hughsblog.wordpress.com/2014/02/24/aurora-australis/

Of the 50s the Sigma is much better in my experience. The Canon example I've used was soft with bad CA whereas the Sigma one is nice and sharp with very little CA.

I know it's a bit slower but I really like the Canon 40mm f2.8 STM. It's an awesome walk-around lens and, though it vignettes a bit on a full-frame, stars are sharp all the way to the edge of frame at f2.8. Down sides for astro work are, of course, smaller aperature of f2.8 and because the focus ring drives a stepper motor and isn't mechanically linked to the focus you can't mark an infinity mark, though this isn't a big deal if you're going to focus with liveview anyway.

[jjjnettie]

I love the nifty 50 F1.8.
It takes superb astro images and as a portrait lens it produces beautiful photos.

[Poita]

The canon 50 is pretty long on a crop camera. The 28 is ideal, the CA and distortion falls outside the sensor, it is nice and fast and great for general purpose use, especially indoors where the 50 is a bit long.

[SteveInNZ]

I'd stick to what you have and add a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8.
While the lenses you've listed are faster, they still fall within the focal range you already have covered. The Tokina opens up more sky and other (landscape) options that you don't have covered.

Steve.

[pluto]

Good call, that's a great lens.

[thorpef1]

Hey guys.
Thanks for the comments, that Tokina looks amazing.
This is what i have got out of my 18-55,
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10499440_10153001244072119_48560218 91549641127_o.jpg
so maybe it will do for a moment, i might keep an eye out for a Tokina as it definately will give me some very different shots to the 18-55.
Would the Tokina fit on a full frame camera such as a 5Dii or 6D also?

[pluto]

It will fit, I have a mate that uses one on his mkIII.
It's good at 16mm but vignettes a fair bit at 11mm. He says he finds it a bit soft but the one I used on a 7D was pretty sharp so perhaps it's a full frame issue, or he could have a lemon.

[thorpef1]

Good to hear Pluto.

Now to hunt one down.
Looks like they are an absolute steal at $420 here so lets bargain down some second hand ones:
http://www.camerasky.com.au/tokina-at-x-116-pro-dx-11-16mm-f2-8-lenses-canon.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwr-KeBRCMh92Ax9rNgJ8BEiQA1OVm-Jl68VBMRsRGn-PQycquDgJ3M6-Pm3yv0eaIkjwMsYMaAtpg8P8HAQ

Ill let you know what i end up with

[kon1966]

Get the canon II f1.8. It is so sharp. I use it on my 7d. There is the plastic case and the image stabilization version. Price in sydney is around $130 to $400ish.

Kon

[thorpef1]

$130-$400 is a very big price range for the same lens Think that covers both the 1.8 and 1.4

Anyway, i just picked myself up a Sigma 30mm f/1.4.
Im also on the lookout for a Tokina 11-16

[koputai]

This may be a bit late, but I've found the Canon 35mm f/2 (non IS) to be a fantastic astro lens, very sharp, and on my cameras infinity focus is right at the stop so finding astro focus can be done in the dark with the camera turned off!

It also equates to almost a 'standard' lens on a crop camera.

I think I posted some examples here a couple of years ago.

Cheers,
Jason.

[thorpef1]

Cheers Jason.
I was looking at either the sigma 30mm f1.4 or the canon 28mm f1.8.
Ended up grabbing the sigma, but havent had a chance to shoot under the stars yet.

Picking up a Tokina 11-16 tomorrow so cant wait to give that one a shot.
Ill put up some pics once i have had a chance to play

[thorpef1]

OK.
I got my Tokina on Tuesday and lastnight i had a play around.

Here is what i got lastnight:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=1109350#post110935 0

[PeterEde]

Where was the Canon 10-22
I've found lens other than Canon hunt for focus at night. Not a problem if you manual focus though.
I used to buy Tamron but switched all to Canon

[thorpef1]

I read a few reviews and the Tokina rates really well.
Didnt hear anything about the focus at night but i will be manually focusing for shots at night

[Camelopardalis]

Congrats on your find Luke :thumbsup:

I find the Tokina to be at focus for night sky images when it reaches infinity on the focuser :) although I'm only using it with a 1100D, I'm really happy with it. At 11mm it's one wiiiiiiide view :D