Best MFT lens for astrophotography: I plan to get a fast(ish) , wide angle lens for astrophotography. I have a Micro Four-Thirds DSLR. At the moment I am leaning towards the Sigma 16...

mniblick

I plan to get a fast(ish) , wide angle lens for astrophotography. I have a Micro Four-Thirds DSLR. At the moment I am leaning towards the Sigma 16 mm f 1.4 but I have also heard good things about the Rokinon 12 mm 2.0 lens. They are both in my budget range.

Does anybody out there have experience with these lenses, or is there another lens that I should consider?

Thanks in advance for your help.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

It might help if you say what Micro Four-Thirds DSLR you have.

Based on reviews, I would probably go with the Sigma.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1369133-REG/sigma_402963_16mm_f_1_4_dc_dn.html

mniblick

Good point. It's a Panasonic G9. Thanks for the link.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I have good results with 14mm full frame equivalent, ISO 5000, 30 seconds, f2.8. Framing vertically with good overlap, that's about 10 frames for a 180 degree panorama. Vertically, that gives about 75 degrees of azimuth with reasonable foregrouund.

If you get too wide, stitching the panorama together and warping the distortion out can get a little bit iffy.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

mniblick wrote:

Good point. It's a Panasonic G9. Thanks for the link.

Just for the record and not to be rude, but the G9 is not a DSLR. It is "mirrorless".

If I were buying a camera right now it would be on my "A" list.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

mniblick wrote:

I plan to get a fast(ish) , wide angle lens for astrophotography. I have a Micro Four-Thirds DSLR. At the moment I am leaning towards the Sigma 16 mm f 1.4 but I have also heard good things about the Rokinon 12 mm 2.0 lens. They are both in my budget range.

Does anybody out there have experience with these lenses, or is there another lens that I should consider?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Sigma ART lenses, with f/1.4, are phenomenal for astro shots. That being said, since you are going to be focusing on infinity manually, the Rokinon should be OK. But, f/1.4 is f/1.4

repleo Loc: Boston

mniblick wrote:

I plan to get a fast(ish) , wide angle lens for astrophotography. I have a Micro Four-Thirds DSLR. At the moment I am leaning towards the Sigma 16 mm f 1.4 but I have also heard good things about the Rokinon 12 mm 2.0 lens. They are both in my budget range.

Does anybody out there have experience with these lenses, or is there another lens that I should consider?

Thanks in advance for your help.

mniblick,
There is a good article here for lenses for astrophotography:
https://www.lonelyspeck.com/lonely-specks-ultimate-list-of-best-astrophotography-lenses/

Good guides for shooting and PP also.

I think the lens list may be a bit old, but it does have recommendations for MFT cameras. I have the Rokinon 12mm f2.0 on my A6000 and have been very pleased with it. The lens itself is very solid and has a great feel, but I can't get a rear cap to stay on it which suggests the mount is a bit sloppy on Sony e-mount.

Photoladybon Loc: Long Island

I use the Rokinon 12mm and love it. Crystal clear.

morkie1891

I have both and use a6500. You would be happy with either. The Rokinon has somewhat more distortion and vignette get which sometimes compromises panoramic stitching.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

mniblick wrote:

Good point. It's a Panasonic G9. Thanks for the link.

Does Sigma make a Panasonic mount? Is there an adapter that would allow for aperture control on the Sigma lens using your Panasonic camera? I am considering a 35mm f/1.4 purchase in the future for my Canon bodies but I also have a Fuji X-T2 and there are three lenses that I have considered, the Canon 35 f/1.4, the Sigma 35 f/1.4, and the Samyang 35mm f/1.4. I am leaning more towards the Samyang because even though it is manual I can also use it on my Fuji camera and still control the aperture manually.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Using B&H as a source, there appear to be 6 Sigma lenses for Panasonic and Olympus M4/3 lenses. They don't need adapters.

There is a "low light" kit including 16mm, 30mm, and 56mm f/1.4 lenses. At f/2.8 there are 19mm, 30mm and 60mm "Art" lenses.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

bsprague wrote:

Using B&H, there appear to be 6 Sigma lenses for Panasonic and Olympus M4/3 lenses. They don't need adapters.

Then Sigma would be a good choice, he may want to consider the 20mm f/1.4 if it is available in the Panasonic mount, I think it is the better of the two lenses.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

mniblick wrote:

I plan to get a fast(ish) , wide angle lens for astrophotography. I have a Micro Four-Thirds DSLR. At the moment I am leaning towards the Sigma 16 mm f 1.4 but I have also heard good things about the Rokinon 12 mm 2.0 lens. They are both in my budget range.

Does anybody out there have experience with these lenses, or is there another lens that I should consider?

Thanks in advance for your help.

For astro work on Micro 4/3, I'd get the fastest, widest thing I could afford. If I had the $1300, I'd get the 12mm Panasonic Leica f/1.4, because it is a very usable wide angle focal length for general photography. But The Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 would certainly work.

http://hazeghi.org/mft-lenses.html

DO NOT put any sort of filter or clear glass protector on any lens used for astrophotography, as it would most likely lead to flare, halo-ing, or double images. (That's a very common mistake.)

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

bsprague wrote:

Just for the record and not to be rude, but the G9 is not a DSLR. It is "mirrorless".

If I were buying a camera right now it would be on my "A" list.

I picked up a G85 in January and loved it so much I upgraded to a G9 this month. (Soon I'l be posting a G85 for sale). I haven't done any astrophotography yet, but when I do I'll start with my Olympus 17mm 1.8, it's a sweet little lens. I love the manual focus "clutch" on it.

repleo Loc: Boston

burkphoto wrote:

DO NOT put any sort of filter or clear glass protector on any lens used for astrophotography, as it would most likely lead to flare, halo-ing, or double images. (That's a very common mistake.)

Bill,
Does that advice apply to so called 'light pollution' filters? I have been looking into these. I have no prior experience with them. My astro shoots are mainly on Outer Cape Cod which is just so-so for dark skies, but is the best location within 200 miles of home.
I always value your advice.
Phil