Our Best Lens for Astrophotography in 2023

What factors should be considered when selecting a lens for best astrophotography?

Field of View

The field of view determines how much of the night sky can be captured in a single photograph. Wide-angle lenses are better for astrophotography as they capture more stars and celestial objects in the photo.

The aperture of a lens regulates the quantity of light that penetrates the camera. A lens with a wide aperture (small f-number) is best for astrophotography. It allows more light to reach the camera sensor, creating brighter and more detailed images of stars and other astronomical objects.

Sharpness is crucial for astrophotography. Look for lenses with a reputation for clarity in both the frame’s centre and periphery. Particularly essential for capturing the fine details of stars near the image’s extremities is edge sharpness.

Aberration and distortion

Chromatic aberration and distortion can degrade the quality of your astrophotography photographs. Select lenses with excellent control over these optical imperfections to ensure accurate and distortion-free depictions of stars and other celestial bodies.

Some lenses may exhibit colour fringing or aberrations, resulting in unwelcome colour fringes around stars or high-contrast margins. Consider lenses with accurate colour reproduction and minimal colour aberration for astrophotography images that are accurate and aesthetically appealing.

Astrophotography frequently captures images of dazzling celestial objects, such as the moon or planets, which require sunshade and glare. A lens with an effective sunshade and flare control can reduce lens flares and undesirable reflections, resulting in clear and distinct images.

Chromatic and chromatic aberration occurs when distinct light colours do not converge simultaneously, causing colour fringing. The images of stars and celestial objects created by lenses with low chromatic aberration are finer and more accurate.

Light transmission and lens coating

Typically, high-quality lenses have superior light transmission properties, allowing more light to reach the camera sensor. In addition, lenses with sophisticated lens coatings reduce internal reflections and ghosting, enhancing image contrast and clarity.

Consider the lens’s weight and equilibrium, particularly if you intend to use it for handheld astrophotography or with a lightweight camera setup. During extended exposure photography sessions, a well-balanced lens reduces strain and fatigue.

Minimum focusing distance and autofocus

Astrophotography mainly focuses on capturing images of faraway celestial objects. However, using lenses with a shorter minimum focusing distance and reliable autofocus capabilities can be useful for taking pictures of objects in the foreground or for other types of photography.

Minimum focusing distance and manual focus

In astrophotography, the manual guide is often preferred to ensure precise start focusing. For the best results, seek lenses with accurate and seamless manual focus control.

Minimum focusing distance and focus peaking: Focus peaking is a helpful feature that emphases the focus areas in the camera’s viewfinder or LCD screen, simplifying accurate manual guides. Astrophotography can be significantly aided by the focus-peaking functionality available on specific lenses and camera systems.

The Top Astrophotography Lenses of 2023

Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM

This Sony lens is highly regarded for its exceptional clarity, even at f/1.4 aperture. It provides a broad field of view, making it suitable for photographing the night sky. Effectively controlling aberrations, the lens produces minimal distortion and chromatic aberration. Additionally, it has outstanding build quality and autofocus performance.

This lens offers a versatile wide-angle focal length range with a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8. It is designed for Canon’s RF mount. It has effective image stabilization, which is advantageous for handheld astrophotography and provides exceptional resolution across the frame. In addition to weather sealing and sophisticated lens coatings for enhanced durability and image quality, the lens incorporates weatherproofing.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

Nikon’s 14-24mm lens is renowned for its precision and wide-angle capabilities. The constant f/2.8 aperture enables quicker shutter speeds and enhanced low-light performance. This lens is a top choice for astrophotographers using Nikon cameras due to its durable construction, effective autofocus, and minimal aberration.

Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG

The 14mm f/1.8 HSM Art lens from Sigma’s Art series is renowned for its exceptional image quality. This lens has a wide field of view and a large aperture, allowing for remarkable light-gathering abilities. It has excellent clarity throughout the frame, minimal distortion, and perfect control of aberrations.

Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC

The Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 G2 is a versatile wide-angle zoom lens that provides outstanding image quality for astrophotography. It features a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture, effective image stabilisation, and weather sealing. The lens has minimal aberration, excellent acuity, and dependable autofocus performance.

Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D:

These are renowned for their innovative optical designs, and the 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D is a popular option among Astro photographers. It has an extensive focal length of 12mm and a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8. The lens features exceptional resolution, low distortion, and nearly zero chromatic aberration.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye PRO

The Olympus 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye PRO lens is an outstanding option for astrophotography using Micro Four Thirds systems. This lens’ fisheye effect provides a distinct perspective, capturing a 180-degree field of view. It has a maximum aperture of f/1.8, enabling it to perform well in low-light conditions, and provides exceptional precision and contrast.

Samyang/Rokinon UMC 14mm f/2.8 IF-ED

Samyang, also known as Rokinon, offers reasonably priced lenses with exceptional optical performance. The 14mm f/2.8 manual focus lens is compatible with various camera mounts, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, and others. It has exceptional acuity, minimal distortion, and reasonable chromatic aberration control. Its fast aperture makes it suitable for astrophotography, allowing you to take photographs of the night sky that are rich in detail.

Zeiss Milvus 15mm f/2.8 ZE

Zeiss lenses are renowned for their superior image quality, and the Milvus 15mm f/2.8 is an excellent option for astrophotography. It features a 15mm focal length, exceptional clarity to the frame’s margins, and minimal distortion. The lens has a sturdy construction, a seamless manual focus mechanism, and precise aperture control.

Remember that these recommendations are based on the lenses available as of September 2021, when my knowledge will expire. Always look for newer models or updates to these lenses, as manufacturers may release enhanced versions. In addition, consider your budget, camera system compatibility, and specific astrophotography requirements when making your final choice.

How they test lenses?

Testing lenses is essential for determining the efficacy and quality of camera lenses. Various factors, such as sharpness, distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberration, and autofocus precision, are evaluated during the testing procedure. Here is a summary of the typical processes involved in lens testing:

Tests for Resolution and Sharpness

Centre and Corner Sharpness: Images are acquired at various apertures and focal lengths to evaluate the sharpness and clarity in the frame’s centre and corners.

MTF (Modulation Transfer Function): MTF charts are utilized to determine lenses’ contrast and resolving power at different spatial frequencies.

Testing for Distortion and Vignetting

Grid or chart images containing straight lines are photographed to detect barrel or pincushion distortion, which can cause straight lines to appear curved.

Vignetting Analysis: Photographs of uniformly illuminated surfaces are taken to check for any light falloff at the frame’s margins.

Testing for Chromatic Aberration

High-contrast subjects, such as illuminated objects, are photographed to evaluate colour fringing or chromatic aberration, manifesting as colour fringes around margins or highlights.

Autofocus Evaluation

Autofocus Accuracy: Photographing moving or stationary subjects with autofocus to determine the lens’s ability to achieve accurate and consistent focus.

Review of Bokeh and Depth of Field

Images of out-of-focus subjects or highlights are obtained to evaluate the quality and uniformity of the lens’ Bokeh.

Testing Depth of Field: Different apertures are used to see how well the lens controls the depth of field and achieves the desired focus areas.

Additional Considerations

Evaluation of the lens’s physical construction, durability, and overall design.

Ergonomics: Weight, dimensions, fluidity of the focus ring, and usability are considered.

Comparative and Analytical

Test results are compared with industry standards, previous lens models, or competing lenses to provide context and draw conclusions about the lens performance.

Conclusion

The choice between a prime lens and a zoom lens in the immense universe of astrophotography is analogous to navigating the celestial pathways. Both offer distinct perspectives and photographic opportunities to capture the night sky’s marvels. With its fixed focal length and uncompromised optical quality, the prime lens is a dependable guide. It leads to unrivalled precision and broad apertures that reveal the universe’s secrets. Its simplicity and portability enable agile cosmos exploration, capturing magnificent panoramas and the finest details of distant galaxies.

On the other hand, the telescopic lens allures you with its versatility and adaptability. It enables you to transverse the immense expanses of space, focusing on celestial marvels and framing constellations within reach. By sacrificing a bit of low-light performance, this lens grants you the incredible freedom to finally compose your own cosmic symphony. It opens up a world of possibilities by enabling you to experiment with various focal lengths, all without the hassle of having to switch lenses. When it comes to astrophotography, choosing between prime and zoom lenses is a personal decision. It depends on your vision, passion, and the stories you want to capture.

It is an endeavour to balance the pursuit of image quality, flexibility, and the eternal interplay of light and darkness. When you look at the night sky, remember that the telescope you use is not just a tool, but a way to explore the wonders of the universe. Choose either a prime or a zoom lens to capture the beauty of the cosmos and share it with the world.