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Top 10 Reasons To Choose Samyang Lenses For Astrophotography

Astrophotographers often head out under the clear, dark skies of the desert to capture breathtaking images of celestial objects. In the past, capturing the faint glow of stars, planets, and galaxies was not possible due to a lack of proper lenses. Many older lenses, especially wide-angle lenses that capture wide scenes, had a problem. They could make celestial objects warped and oddly shaped.

Another issue was that light colors bend not similarly as they pass through the lens. It causes bright objects like stars to have colored edges, which aren’t very pretty and can make it hard to see details. Older lenses had limited maximum apertures, i.e., the size of the opening in these lenses. So, the solution for astrophotographers is to use lenses with larger apertures. 

Thanks to LK Samyang, who has resolved all the above-mentioned problems for astrophotographers. These lenses include manual focus, cine, and autofocus options. They were all developed with the astrophotographer’s unique perspective in mind. 

In this blog, we will discuss 10 reasons to prefer Samyang Lenses for Astrophotography and explain some technical factors, such as chromatic and spherical aberrations, when buying camera lenses for astrophotographers.

10 Key Factors To Consider When Buying Astrophotography Lenses

The following are some crucial factors for considering Samyang Lenses for the field of astrophotography:

1. Wide-Angle lenses (24mm F1.8)

In astrophotography, the Milky Way is our galaxy. It looks like a band of stars in the night sky. Meteors are streaks of light caused by small pieces of space debris burning up in Earth’s atmosphere. Samyang has launched its new AF 24mm F1.8 Full Frame Compact Wide Angle Lens for Sony E mount. Wide-angle lenses are ideal for capturing the Milky Way with the night sky in low-light conditions.  

2. Ultra Wide Angle Lenses (12mm F2.0)

These lenses become problematic for astrophotography because it causes barrel distortion. Ultra Wide Angle Lenses severely distort the appearance of stars and celestial objects, especially towards the edges of the frame. Do not buy them for astrophotography.

3. Telephoto lenses (100mm)

Excellent for capturing details of the moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects like nebulae and galaxies. Telephoto lenses offer longer focal lengths and provide magnification, allowing you to zoom in on celestial targets.  

Wide-angle lenses (24mm F1.8) Vs. Telephoto lenses (100mm)

Telephoto lenses (100mm) are better than wide-angle lenses (24mm) for astrophotography of planets and galaxies. Telephoto lenses have a longer focal length, which helps zoom in on distant objects like planets and galaxies. Wide-angle lenses are great for large scenes, like the Milky Way, but they are not the best for capturing small details of planets and galaxies.

4. Aperture

A wider aperture (lower f-number, i.e., f/1.4, f/2.8) allows more light to reach the sensor. Samyang Lenses help you in achieving long exposure photography.  Suppose you’re trying to capture the faint glow of a nebula, i.e., a giant cloud of dust and gas in space. A wider aperture, like f/2.8 on your Samyang lens, lets in more light. It helps the light reach your camera’s sensor. With more light, you can use longer exposure times. It lets you capture more details of the nebula. These details would be complicated to see in the dark without it.

5. Chromatic Aberration & Spherical Aberration 

Chromatic aberration is an obstacle in astrophotography because it degrades image quality. Chromatic aberration is a color-related issue, while spherical aberration is a focusing issue. Astrophotographers strive for sharp, detailed images of celestial objects. But chromatic aberration blurs and distorts the images of stars, planets, and galaxies. 12mm F2.0 AF Compact Ultra Wide Angle APS-C (Sony E) is better at controlling chromatic aberration. 

6. Vignetting

Vignetting happens when the edges of an astrophotography photo get darker. Photos of planets and stars can have a more artistic look. Vignetting also helps draw attention to the bright center of the image, like the stars or planets. The 45mm F1.8 AF Compact Full Frame (Sony E) has a 45mm focal length and supports vignetting. It is also closer to human vision than a 50mm lens. 

7. Field of View

In astrophotography, Field of View refers to how much of the sky you can see through your camera lens in one image. A wider Field of View lets you capture more of the night sky, which is great for capturing the Milky Way and large star fields. Think of it like looking through a window: A wider window shows you more of the outside scenery.

8. Manual Focus

Manual focus means astrophotographers adjust their camera’s lens themselves. They use tools such as Bahtinov masks with camera lenses. They are very popular with astrophotographers. Many astrophotographers use them with DSLR and mirrorless cameras, often paired with telephoto lenses. Bahtinov masks help astrophotographers focus very precisely, resulting in sharper images of distant celestial objects. 

9. Weather Sealing

You’re setting up your gear for a night of astrophotography under a starry sky. Suddenly, rain starts to fall. If you are using a weather-sealed lens, you can keep shooting. You don’t have to worry about moisture damaging your equipment. You can confidently capture stunning celestial scenes, even in bad weather.

10. Star Trails

In astrophotography, you create star trails by capturing the motion of stars across the night sky. Astrophotographers set up under a clear night sky with their Samyang 14mm f/2.8 lens. You begin a long exposure, capturing the rotation of the Earth. As the hours pass, the stars appear to move across the sky, leaving behind light trails in your image. This technique is known as star trail photography. It creates mesmerizing photos of the celestial sphere.

Samyang 14mm f/2.8 Lens – Astrophotography On A Budget

The Samyang 14mm f/2.8 is famous among astrophotographers who have an economical budget. The f/2.8 aperture allows for faster shutter speeds, mitigating the impact of star trailing due to Earth’s rotation. The Samyang 14mm Ultra Wide-Angle f/2.8 IF ED UMC Lens fulfills the following factors.

  • Compact and Lightweight: Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry and use on lightweight tracking mounts.
  • Value for Money: The Samyang 14mm f/2.8 offers exceptional value for its price, making it an attractive option for those starting in astrophotography.

Who Is This Lens For?

The Samyang 14mm f/2.8 is an excellent option for:

  • For beginner astrophotographers, Samyang’s lenses provide a good balance of image quality, allowing the beginner to experiment with astrophotography i.e Star photography.
  • Landscape photographers: Astrophotographers may get the best lens for astrophotography by visiting LK Samyang’s website. Samyang’s lenses provide better optical design of camera lenses. Perfect for shooting the Milky Way and vast star fields.
  • Architectural Photography: You can prefer Samyang 14mm f/2.8 lenses for their sharpness. It can capture details of stonework.

Conclusion: Is This Lens For You?

The Samyang 14mm f/2.8 is a highly regarded lens for astrophotographers. These lenses offer a compelling balance of performance If you’re looking for a wide-angle lens to capture the beauty of the night sky, this lens is worth considering.

What Is Beyond The Samyang 14mm:

  • Samyang’s XEEN 14mm T3.1: Offers a wider field of view, ideal for capturing expansive night sky panoramas.

Remember the Rule of 500

The “Rule of 500” is a simple guideline to help you determine the maximum exposure time before star trailing becomes noticeable:

  • 500 / Focal Length = Maximum Exposure Time (In Seconds)  
  • With a 14mm lens, the maximum exposure time before significant star trailing occurs would be 35 seconds.

FAQs

What Is The Most Important Factor To Consider When Choosing A Lens For Astrophotography?

Aperture with f/2.8 is significant. A wider aperture (lower f-number) allows more light to reach the sensor, enabling longer exposures in low-light conditions.

What Type Of Lens Is Best For Capturing The Milky Way?

Wide-angle lenses (24mm F1.8) are ideal for capturing the Milky Way and the surrounding night sky.

What Is Chromatic Aberration, And Why Is It A Concern In Astrophotography?

Chromatic aberration is a problem with the lens. Different colors of light bend at slightly different angles, forming colored edges around bright objects. In astrophotography, this can lower the image quality.

What Is The “Rule Of 500” In Astrophotography?

The “Rule of 500” is a simple guideline that helps you find the maximum exposure time before star trails become noticeable.

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