First Milky Way Shoot: For my first attempt to photograph the Milky Way next month, I would like to have your suggestions for a modest priced, ultra-wide lens for a Canon EOS 70D.

davidstinson Loc: Fort Worth,TX

For my first attempt to photograph the Milky Way next month, I would like to have your suggestions for a modest priced, ultra-wide lens for a Canon EOS 70D.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

davidstinson wrote:

For my first attempt to photograph the Milky Way next month, I would like to have your suggestions for a modest priced, ultra-wide lens for a Canon EOS 70D.

This lens is $399 at B&H. Tokina 11-16. It is nice and sharp.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/882235-REG/Tokina_atx116prodxc_ii_AT_X_116_PRO_DX_II.html

PaulR01 Loc: West Texas

Rokinon 14mm f 2.8 $289. Best lens you will find for shooting the stars.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/769532-REG/Rokinon_FE14M_C_14mm_Ultra_Wide_Angle_f_2_8.html

tims.ak Loc: Butte, Alaska

davidstinson wrote:

For my first attempt to photograph the Milky Way next month, I would like to have your suggestions for a modest priced, ultra-wide lens for a Canon EOS 70D.

I just tried my first Milky Way pictures. Used Rokinon 14 mm 2.8. Good starter lens that won't break the bank. Used it for Grand Canyon visit and other wide angle shots. I like the lens and I'm having lots of fun with it. Excited to try it on Aurora and the night sky next winter when it gets dark again.

Don't forget dark sky map or similar app to map out a good dark area.

BCHiker

The Rokinon lens will work, I own one. Consider renting for this one session. Something like a Sigma ART 14mm F1.8 will give you more light, a Lower ISO, a shorter shutter speed and a better quality image and cost less than buying a lens for what might be a one off purchase.

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

PaulR01 wrote:

Rokinon 14mm f 2.8 $289. Best lens you will find for shooting the stars.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/769532-REG/Rokinon_FE14M_C_14mm_Ultra_Wide_Angle_f_2_8.html

Got interested in this myself so I looked at the B&H link. Seems there is a different model for your Canon camera depending on whether the camera has an AE chip...............how do I determine which lens I would want to consider?? I have a 60D and a 5D M III....(guess I should ask what is an AE chip...) Tom

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

PaulR01 wrote:

Rokinon 14mm f 2.8 $289. Best lens you will find for shooting the stars.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/769532-REG/Rokinon_FE14M_C_14mm_Ultra_Wide_Angle_f_2_8.html

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

The Tokina 2.8 has my recommendation.

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

CanonTom wrote:

Got interested in this myself so I looked at the B&H link. Seems there is a different model for your Canon camera depending on whether the camera has an AE chip...............how do I determine which lens I would want to consider?? I have a 60D and a 5D M III....(guess I should ask what is an AE chip...) Tom

Ok, answered my own question. It allows lens to communicate with camera regarding auto exposure, etc. Saw this on an earlier UHH post from May, 2017. Some said it confused their camera and they removed the chip from the lens............New Question: If one pairs this lens with the non-chip version will the lens auto focus or is it strictly manual??

rbest77701

The cheaper version is a fully manual lens, manual focus and manual aperature setting. The one with the AE chip will allow the lens to talk to the camera body, so I would think at least, you would be able to set the aperature through the camera or set the camera in aperature mode or Tv mode and the camera control the rest. The cheaper one, which I own, you set the camera to manual and set the shutter speed thru the body, but aperature and focus are controlled by the lens, just like in the old film days.

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

rbest77701 wrote:

The cheaper version is a fully manual lens, manual... (show quote)

ralfstinson Loc: SF Bay Area

Have a red head lamp for work around the tripod and camera so you keep your night vision. With your night vision, your viewing of the monitor may cause you to think the pix is overexposed - so be careful. Practice with night photography before the big night! Good Shooting!

PaulR01 Loc: West Texas

My Rokinon is basically 100% of the time taped to infinity. The newest version released this year is a bit over priced. If shooting the stars you will always be at infinity with the focus. Auto isn't needed. Here are some recent shots with mine from last month.

(Download)

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

PaulR01 wrote:

My Rokinon is basically 100% of the time taped to infinity. The newest version released this year is a bit over priced. If shooting the stars you will always be at infinity with the focus. Auto isn't needed. Here are some recent shots with mine from last month.

Good point on infinity focus for astro photography Paul. I do of course notice you use it for landscapes as well from those photos--which are terrific by the way....My question: how far does an object need to be from the 14mm lens before you would be focusing at infinity? Might be a great inexpensive ultra wide angle landscape lens as well.......... Tom

Selene03

You have gotten some good suggestions. For those who have gotten good copies of the Rokinon/Samyung, it is supposedly an excellent lens. I gave up trying to get a good copy--their quality control leaves a lot to be desired, and there is way more variation between one copy and another than you will find on other brands. When shooting the milky way, you will be wanting to manual focus at infinity, so you really don't need the more expensive version unless you also want to use it as a landscape lens during the day. The Sigma lens looks interesting, but I haven't tried it yet. Canon lenses are good but expensive if you are looking for a 2.8 or faster wide angle lens (which is what you need). I also second the red light, the need to find dark skies (especially with no moon), a remote and a good tripod.