night/astro phoography

[vandalismo]

I have made some milky way photos and I like to do more of night shooting.
I used my 18-200 tamron kit lens, as well 35 mm 1.4 (this didn't gave me enough wide angle)

I am looking on the market what is available and what can I get.
I was thinking some white angle lens with smallest F stop possible according to the cash provided.

What would you use?

by the way, can somebody tell me if the nikkon 1 lens can be used on nikon DX cameras...one of those can be something too, or no?

 

[benhasajeep47 46]

I have made some milky way photos and I like to do more of night shooting.
I used my 18-200 tamron kit lens, as well 35 mm 1.4 (this didn't gave me enough wide angle)

I am looking on the market what is available and what can I get.
I was thinking some white angle lens with smallest F stop possible according to the cash provided.

What would you use?

by the way, can somebody tell me if the nikkon 1 lens can be used on nikon DX cameras...one of those can be something too, or no?

No, Nikon 1 lenses cannot be used on regular Nikon DSLR's. Different mount. With an adaptor you can however use your DX lenses on the Nikon 1 mount cameras. The Nikon 1 is smaller mount.

As for lenses there are several availalbe. The least expensive fast lens I know of is the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 version 2, or 11-20 f/2.8 AF lenses. The original 11-16 f/2.8 which I own does not have an AF motor in the lens. So you need a body with a focus motor to use the original version and get AF. The Tokina's are very good, well built lenses. The 11-20 is actaully the 3rd version of the 11-16, they changed the focal length some. As for faster like f/1.8 lens. Well your getting into pricier prime lenses like the 20mm f/1.8 AF-sG. Sigma makes a 14mm f/1.8 but it's twice the price over the Nikon 20mm f/1.8. Really wide view though. Deppends on budget.

 

[KmH]

You want the largest f-stop possible, not the smallest f-stop.
f/2 is a bigger number, and bigger lens aperture, than f/8 is.

 

[Destin]

The tokina 11-16 2.8 has been fantastic for me. My copy is actually for sale in the buy/sell section now in my giant sale thread if you’re interested.

Only selling because I upgraded to full frame for my wide angle work.

 

[vandalismo]

small F number is wide open aperture and that's what I want...small F stop I mean small F number...

I can't find anything smalle than f3.5 (smaller number) on decent price. I want to keep it under 250 dollars.
Is the Tokina 12-24 F4 any good?

 

[Destin]

small F number is wide open aperture and that's what I want...small F stop I mean small F number...

I can't find anything smalle than f3.5 (smaller number) on decent price. I want to keep it under 250 dollars.
Is the Tokina 12-24 F4 any good?

Look for a Tokina 11-16 2.8 on eBay. They’re going for under $300, some under $250 if you’re patient. Mine just sold for $289

 

[benhasajeep47 46]

small F number is wide open aperture and that's what I want...small F stop I mean small F number...

I can't find anything smalle than f3.5 (smaller number) on decent price. I want to keep it under 250 dollars.
Is the Tokina 12-24 F4 any good?

Look for a used Tokina 11-16 f/2.8! It's a very good lens! The origanal will not AF on 3xxx or 5xxx series. The second version of the 11-16 f/2.8 will AF on all Nikon bodies (has motor in lens). Pick your choice of the 2 used.

 

[petrochemist118 143]

small F number is wide open aperture and that's what I want...small F stop I mean small F number...

I can't find anything smalle than f3.5 (smaller number) on decent price. I want to keep it under 250 dollars.
Is the Tokina 12-24 F4 any good?

As KmH pointed out it's actually f/3.5 not simply f3.5. Which actually makes a bigger number. (Focal length divided by 3.5 gives the aperture diameter)
To get a lens faster than f/3.5 you will usually have to go to primes. IIRC the Samyang 10mm/2.8 is normally within your budget if brought second hand. I can't tell you if it's a good lens I got mine very cheap & can only use it via an adapter which causes a few problems with such a short focal length lens.

 

[TCampbell]

You might want to check out some of the new Sigma ART lenses.

They have some wide lenses with very low focal ratios....

14mm f/1.8
20mm f/1.4
etc.

I have not personally used one of these lenses, but generally people rave about the "ART" series from Sigma. I might suggest renting one before buying just to make sure it lives up to your expectation.

 

[BananaRepublic]

I have made some milky way photos and I like to do more of night shooting.
I used my 18-200 tamron kit lens, as well 35 mm 1.4 (this didn't gave me enough wide angle)

I am looking on the market what is available and what can I get.
I was thinking some white angle lens with smallest F stop possible according to the cash provided.

What would you use?

by the way, can somebody tell me if the nikkon 1 lens can be used on nikon DX cameras...one of those can be something too, or no?

The 35 mm 1.4 would be good at low light, perhaps try some composition alterations that would suit the 35mm. Post up of what you have taken.

 

[vandalismo]

thank you all! I will wait for cheap offer on my local second hand market...will look for any of the mentioned above. I see few samyangs 10, but all of them are Canon mount...and the Tokina 11-16 is 350 euro used ones..no rush, will wait for the right one...

 

[slat]

I rented a Rokinon 16mm f/2.0 a while back for some astrophotography and it did very well. They go for low $300 USD.

 

[KmH]

f/3.5 is a fraction. f is the focal length the lens is set to, or fixed at if the lens is a prime lens.
With fractions - a smaller numerical denominator usually makes a fraction a bigger number.
f/22 is teeny tiny compared to f/1.8, both as a number and as a lens opening (aperture).

Lots of people choose to ignore the reality of fractions, though by learning some simple math techniques fractions are no harder to deal with than whole numbers.
For example:
butterfy method of adding fractions - Yahoo Search Results

 

[Mitica100]

Rokinon 14mm 2.8 is a great and cheaper lens.

 

[nerwin]

My 20 1.8G is perfect for milky way shots BUT sounds like you are on crop, so...I'd have to recommend the Tokina 11-16/11-20 2.8 since they are affordable, especially used.

The new Sigma 14 1.8 ART is outstanding, but very expensive too.

There really isn't any ultra wide angle 1.8 lenses for crop sensors, not that I know of. The Rokinon 16 f/2 might good one too.

My vote is for the Tokina 2.8 UWA zooms, I think they are the best bang for the buck.