Wow the price has come down a lot since I bought mine. They're now available on MPB for just £494 at like new condition and down to £444 for excellent condition!

For astrophotography I am an old school prime user. My go to lens is a Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 followed by a super sharp Sigma 40mm f/1.8 Art lens. Definitely at both end of the affordability spectrum.

R.I.P Alyn

Just received your book. Thank you for writing it. Very helpful to beginners.

Great video alyn 🌌

Nice video, alyn!❤

I found that the biggest problem carrying so much was due to the size of my camera bags. All are rather large so of course I pack as much as I can in them. Then, it is hard to put them on my back! I am downsizing to Tenba Axis bags and will probably sell off my F-Stop bags or trade them in.

Hi Alyn, thank you so much for that run down and pointing out the differences. I use the Sigma 20 1.4 dgdn the most and I love the lens for its aberration free rendering straight from the get go. that enables me to do stacked shots like never before. Usually, i don't even mind it's Vignette at 1.4 because I add a vignette anyways. There are certain times when I wish I had a wider lens specially, when I need to do a Panorama and deal with reflections and time passing messes up the stars in the water.

I love my Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 for Astro, I’m a recent Astro shooter and I love the results I get from it. Getting more confident with Astro however I would love to treat myself to a prime 24mm for that additional sharpness & light. Still love the results I get from the Tamron and find it is amazing value for money!

Great video, Alyn!) I prefer 20mm f1.8 GM and 24-70 GMII is my go to lens)) Thank you for involving me into sony system ❤‍🔥

Saving for and can’t wait to get my sigma 20mm f1.4 and 40mm f1.4 I have heard great things about both of those lenses. 🤩✨

Thanks for this Video. I shot astro with samyang 14 mm and with this tamron. I changed the samyang to the Sony 14 GM. This is my astro Lens now. I wont use the tamron for night shots any longer.

Awesome video, as I’ve been debating on snagging a zoom lens to double as a landscape photography tool as well. As far as astro, I love my Sony 20mm f1.8!

Great rundown of the pros and cons. I've been using the Sigma 14-24 2.8 on my Canon 6D for about 1,5 years now and I love the flexibility but hate the weight. That thing is heavy. I shoot tracked 90% of the time, so mostly it doesn't matter if I stop down to f/4 for sharper stars. Would love to have the lightbucket mode of a good prime once in a while though. Something to think about 🤔.

Thanks for this comparison. This was very helpful for me. I recently got my Sigma 20mm f1.4 and I love it for night shots. At daytime I would probaly prefer my Sigma16-28 mm f2.8 because of its felxibility in zoom range. I got some nice results from the 16-28mm f2.8 with northern lights, too but now that I saw what difference f1.4 vs f2.8 makes, I wouldn't go back.

I use the Sony 20mm f1.8. Before that, I was using the Samyang 14mm f2.8. The viewing angle is a small sacrifice in favor of image quality.

Bro ❤️ make another astrovlog on capturing Orion and Andromeda Galaxy....

for astro & landscape, i use Z20mm f/1.8 with Z8 camera. will see what new lens are coming this year from Nikon. and I also use Nikon D7100 paired with Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8. this Sigma lens is amazing and i like that zoom range and still can use f/1.8.

Although it's for crop sensor cameras, the Signa 18-35mm f/1.8 was a fantastic intro to astrophotography. And 35mm was much more handy when travelling around cities and wanting a 50mm equivalent

I use a Sigma 14mm f1.8 DG (via an adapter for the EOS-R5) and it is by far the best lens I have ever used for any wide field astro. Used the Tokina and Samyang f2.8's but the difference is chalk and cheese with the Sigma winning hands down across the board. So much so with it being f1.8. While in Virginia I had to step it down to f2.4 with the Milky Way way being so bright. If only I could get those same conditions closer to me in the UK. Off course there is the massive cost difference but, for someone like me that makes as much use of it as possible it is worth every penny with the clarity of shot and a lot less post editing due to noise or CA that does not exist now. 🙂

I use the Nikon 14-24S 2.8. It ain't 1.4 but it creates very pinpoint stars to the corners (almost pinpoint in the corners. Amazing. It is a bit big and heavy ( but very light for what it is) and I wish I had the 20 1.8 but at the time of purchase I opted for a more versatile lens for all my landscape needs, day or night.

I suppose there are better ones - but as a good zoom compromise I like the Sigma 16-28mm 2.8 a lot

Your Watch is giving nice effect 😉

100% Primes for me, not only for Astro but also found that prime "forces" to think more and better and more often than not translates into finding much better compositions as well, I use both the Sony 14mm F1.8 GM and Sony 20mm F1.8 G for Astro :)

Hi Alyn, I think the biggest factor for me is weight (am I hiking a lot) or traveling far for a pic? These are why I switch between primes and zoom lens. I do agree primes cut down on a lot of post processing. Also hope you are liking the Nikon Z8 mk2.

Everybody's situation is different, but for me, it isn't as simple as getting the best lens for the task at hand. It is often more a matter of getting the best lens that I can afford for the task at hand. At one point, that meant lenses like the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 on my Canon 7D. After I became a bit more skilled (and switched camera brands) I was able to set aside the funds to get the 14mm f/1.8 GM for my Sony A7R3. This was a significant upgrade in the image quality (especially when I also paired it with a Move-Shoot-Move tracker). I have recently switched systems again and I am saving for a Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S lens for my Z8.

great video Alyn how you you rate THE SIGMA 16-28 F2.8 VR TAMRON??

I am, kinda new in photography and where i live lenses are really expensives so zoom lens are the best options to me since i still don't have a identity or style neither a field of focus to pinpoint the better length (i do DSO astrophotography and landscape) to buy a prime lens

Great comparison, the results are always subjective but anyone just starting out should be happy with what the Tamron produces. The Sony FE 20/1.8G has been my most used lens recently, taking over from the FE 24/1.4GM. Great field of view, and really appreciate how easy it is to manually focus.

My faves are the Sony 24 f1.4 and a Canon 15 f2.8 fisheye adapted to Sony

Hi Alyn, my name is Chris playle from swansea in Wales, i do my imaging down in worms head gower in Roshilly, my favourite prime lens is the Rokinon 135mm prime and my 50mm cannon prime lens. Also i used a 1300d dlsr canon camera and a star adventurer 2i Pro tracking mount. By the way another great video, Wish you were back home in Wales.

The other thing is, as myself, many photographers are not 100% involved in astroscape. Many of us are mainly shooting daylight landscapes and occasionally nightscapes that's why I think zoom lenses are more versatiles and convenient for most of photographers knowing their limitations and the ways to deal with them.

I have traded two wide angle lenses, a 20mm 1.8 and a 14-30 F/4 for my 14-24m 2.8. It is great and i like it a lot for landscapes and astro. 2.8 is more than enough if you do astro on occasion ONLY aurora and meteor strike you want an f/1.8 or bigger. I am perfectly ok with the 14-24 2.8 wide open. It is crazy sharp (not as sharp as the prime but it is a zoom).

I am definitely a prime shooter for astro landscape! I shoot astro modified Nikon Z6 II. Love this camera because it has built-in timer that allows me to shoot longer than 30 sec without using intervalometer and can program it to shoot 1-2 min exposure repeatedly. It also has built-in focus bracketing that I now no longer need to use flashlight to shine on the subject I want to focus on in the dark! Just let the camera do its job in the dark and everything will be focused. No more cables, intervalometer and flashlights. This is HUGE for night shooters. As for the lenses, I definitely vote for primes. Bigger apertures, light weight are 2 main benefits over the zooms. I love my Nikon 20mm f1.8, Sony 35mm f1.4 GM and Voigtlander 50mm f2.0 APO lenses(thank you for your recommendation!). They are all excellent astro lenses that covers all the focal length I need for my milkyway landscape.

Which adapter are you using? I’ve been using the Megadap and have enjoyed the results and flexibility of one set of glass on two manufacturer’s bodies.

Awesome video. What sort of settings would you recommend for a Nikon D7200 with a 1.4 teleconverter and Sigma 150 to 600, shooting a planet like Jupiter or any deep sky object? I tried shooting Jupiter with that gear and I failed astronomically.

Thanks for this great comparison and explanation of your decision points. I shoot astro, primarily with a Sony 14mm GM and a Sony 16-35 GM (Mark I), but I’ve always had my eye on the Sony 20mm. It seems like such a relatively well priced, high quality, useful lens. Should I be drooling over the 24mm instead? I am tempted to try the GM II, but my wallet keeps kicking me from my back pocket when I think about it.

I typically shoot with my Rokinon 14mm 2.8 or 24-70mm 2.8, I will periodically throw my 50mm 1.4 on for a different view of the MW.

Alyn, you should try the new Sigma 14mm f1.4 with the incredible manual focus lock funtion 😮‍💨

Hi alyn i recently aquired a samyang 14mm f2.8 and afraid that shooting at this f ratio just gives spinning tops for stars. I find that anything under f4 gives distorted stars same with my samyang 24mm and well my nifty fifty isnt worth trying without my tracker so just do f4 anyway for long expos. Maybe i need to spend crazy money on a lense that at f1.8 actually delivers. 🤔

Favorite lens? Umm 24mm GM ofc but its still not the perfect one for hires A7RIII... I mean those little comets with wings at corners wide open. 😊

I would like to ask,. Most of the time, which tracker you always to bring along.? Nomad ? Or sky tracker?

I prefer prime lenses for Milky Way. I have the 20mm and 35mm Nikkor f/1.8 S lenses for my Nikon Z6ii which was H-alpha modded by Spencer's Camera (thanks for the shipping coupon). How did you like using a Z6ii?

Primes! 24mm f1.4 & 14mm 1.8

How did you get on with the Nikon z6ii 👌

When it comes to Astro, PRIMES just are superior. & I absolutely agree, the "do-it-all" prime for Astro has to be the 20mm**. I'm looking at just getting the Sigma 20/1.4 DG DN Art lens & MegaDap PRO or Neewer ETZ adapter to mount it to my Z9/Z8. Which adapter were you using for the Z6ii? **My preferred focal length for Astro is actually the 35mm. It's wide-enough typically, but also "punched in" enough to get way more details + structures out of certain areas of the sky. Like the MWC or any part of the MW "arms". Waiting not-so-patiently for the Z 35/1.2 S lens. In the meantime, my Tamron 35/1.4 SP lens is fantastic.

I recently sold all my Canon RF gear due to the lack of fast primes. With the $$$ from that (some where sold to MPB) I got myself an A7III, a Sigma 14mm 1.4 and a Sigma 24 1.4 and couldn’t be happier. Although the 14mm is a monster of a lens……

I’ve not had a lot of experience here but I certainly prefer my Nikon 20mm 1.8 over my Rokinon 14mm 2.8. Largely for the reason you noted - I can shoot at 2.0 or 2.2 and improve the image while maintaining the light gathering ability. In addition, for me, 14mm is just too wide.

Intersting comparison, I use the Sony 14mm 1.8 & 24mm 1.4 , better results !

Honestly I am a zoom guy and the older Tamron 28-75 is still the best I have ever used for shooting the night skies on a Canon DSLR.

Nikon video coming? I’ve been shooting Z5 for a few years and just upgraded to Z7ii. Interested to hear your thoughts.

Thanks Alyn...I am considering the f1.8 20mm Sony....I already have the 24-70mm f2.8 and think this will benefit me.

Hey Alyn,...I think it is so cool that your wandering the Ancient Ruins of Turkey....I would also...LOL......I have been doing Astrophotography for 18 years, and I agree... Primes Rock. However, I have a small Cavate to the argument...Having a Small Zoom is Good thing to have in the bag, especially in those moments where you wish you had just a little more focal Length. I always carry my Old 75-300mm..( Canon Guy...LOL)..It sits in my bag, always at the ready along with my 14, and 24...9 times out of 10 however, my Prime 50mm F/1.8 is always on my body...(Love that Lens..LOL)....Having a Zoom is a Comfort...I like knowing I have one with me...Maybe I won't use it, Maybe I will....Its good to know the situation is Covered....I do have a Roki 85 and 135 now, but They are a Lug up the Mountains here in Arizona...Choices, Choices...Its good to have them.... Clear Skies Alyn, Be Safe.

Are you switching to the Nikon z6ii?

I use zoom lenses for landscapes, but always a prime for astro. Current favorite for my Fuji X-H2 is the Viltrox 13/1.4. I stack images for noise reduction, rather than use a star tracker, and have been delighted with the results for what is a relatively inexpensive and light-weight kit.

I use Tokina 14-20 f2 on a Nikon d7500. I usually stop down to f2.8. Results are ok, but probably due more to me not the equipment 🙄

I've always wondered about using fast telephoto (prime) lenses for astrophotography. I understand this is landscape photography you're talking about here--I've watched many astrophotography videos, but never see anything about using (fast) tele-lenses.

um Deine Frage zu beantworten, ich bin böse in das 24mmGM von Sony verknallt, aber es ist eine teure Liebe... das Tamron ist bestimmt eine Alternative, gerade für Landschaft am Tag und in der Nacht. Viele wollen sich nicht festlegen mit 24mm, manche wollen flexibel sein. Mich würde ein Test bei 24mm f/2.8 zwischen Tamron und Sony interessieren, die Ergebnisse bei 17mm vs 14mm sind ja beeidruckend genug, die 14mm noch zu kaufen.

Nice video and well explained, Anyone here tried sony alpha 6700 for astrophotography? I want to buy an apc for landscape and ocasionaly astrophotography and didnt found anything online about it and i dont want to waste money in buying something that i cant fully use

1. Check your video description, it might be a typo (or an intended pun), but you have "tampon 17-28" there :P 2. I think I missed when you switched from sony to nikon?! how come?

"A zoom lens lets you use diff focal lenght, so you don't need to carry 3-4 primes". "I usually use a wide prime and crop". Amazing advice. You must be a pro..... Thank you for helping up, the noobs, by being impartial. Its better this way, we don't want a future sponsor to avoid us....

MPB sounds great. If only they supported us here in Australia. 🤩🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️

Prime :) Sony 14mm GM, Sony 24 mm GM 👌

Once you try the Z 20mm f1.8, you’ll never go back to the Tamron 🙃

Hi Alyn, I use Rokinon 24 mm f/1.4 for astrophotography and landscape. But then again this is the one and only lens I have that I bought 10 years ago. So I can't compare primes to zooms naturally. Yet again when I see comments like "zoom is softer than the prime" in the reviews, i tend to lean towards the primes. One question on the heavy lenses that you mention that do not balance very well with the star trackers. Would it be a factor to choose i.e. Sony A7C II with Sony 24 mm f/1.4, because of the relatively light camera body of A7C II compared to say A7 IV? Would there be issues about balancing on the star tracker or generally on the tripods as it'd be front heavy? I am considering to buy A7C II with Sony 24 mm f/1.4 and that would already stretch my budget a lot, so i will have to stick with 24 mm for a while longer. Tüm videolar icin çok teşekkürler bu arada. Müthiş değerli bir iş yapıyorsun. Sosyal medyaya daha az zaman ayırmaya çalıştığını okumuştum, o yüzden okuyor musun buraları emin değilim ama kırk yılın başı yorum yazmışken bahsedeyim istedim. Kolay gelsin.

I have both the Tamron 17-28 and the Sony 20mm 1.8 G. I honestly don't know which I should keep (if not both). I don't exclusively do astro, so sometimes if I'm on a hike to get landscape shots and astro shots and space/weight is a premium because something like a Tamron 50-400 and a MSM tracker is coming with, I don't know how i feel about bringing lenses that overlap. Like bringing my 17-28 2.8 and the 20 1.8, or a Zeiss 55 1.8 (for portraits) and the tamron 50-400 4.5-6.3. Or even when to consider bringing the Sigma 24-70 2.8. I'm a bit stuck right now. Would love someone's opinion.

With such a narrow zoom range like 17-28mm, I wouldn't waste my time with a zoom lens, unless it just fell into my lap. If it was a longer zoom range like 28-70mm, then it would probably be worth it, depending on the price and performance. The guy in one of the channels I watch frequently uses a Tamron 28-70mm F2.8 Canon EF mount, and he gets really good results. I'm not sure specifically which model and release he has. I know sometimes those longer zoom lenses can be quirky and might be sharp at the wider end and the zoomed in end, but then they might be soft in the middle, or vise versa. But his lens seems to be sharp end to end. On my budget, the advantage would only be in reducing my load, assuming I got one of good quality. Costwise, it's been less expensive to buy 3-4 prime lenses in that focal range, vs buying one zoom lens that's of good quality. I bought a version of that Tamron 28-70mm thats probably 10-12 years old, and it''s really soft wide open, so I don't even use it for nighttime, but it's great for daytime. I have really decent copies of Samyang 24mm, 35mm and 85mm, and just picked up a Nikon brand 50mm, all of them F1.4, and I easily paid less than $1,000. The Nikon is the only used one. When I priced out that Tamron 28-70mm, whatever the last release was for DSLRs, I'm pretty sure the price was $1200+ new. If I were a little more discriminating on quality, I could probably only afford two primes for that price. But my Samyang are really decent, and I don't make a living off of photography, so I don't have to be as picky as someone in your position.

Which rotating bracket is this? I've checked Smallrig and Atoll, but I've heard it's not supporting Tamron lenses due to USB port.

Hi Alyn, Are you using any Sony astro-modified cameras now? If so, which camera, which modification, and any problem with green/aqua stars? Thanks.

Would i be better off getting a great lens or a star-tracker? My current lens needs an upgrade and I have been eyeing off that 16-35 GM for a while now.... Also tamrons 35-150 as I also photograph music festivals and this 2 lens kit woild probably suit all my needs and help me with astro as my hobby! I am a huge fan of zoom lenses, but I have never experienced anything better than F2.8 so im unsure what to do in this situation, my current lens is only f2.8 at 28mm and I need mooooorreee! Does anyone have any advice for me??

RIP mate !!!

well Alyn, I am wondering, can you give me the name of an app that will show Bortle ratings for my area? Looking at apps and apps and apps and don't know which would be a good start?

Hi Alyn, you might like to change the typo in your description of this video 🤣

Are you still using the Sony FE 50mm Zeiss? Looking for recommendations for my Sony a7IV. TIA

Have you tried the Sigma 14-24mm since it starts and ends at 14 and 24mm which you like. Or is it too heavy to justify replacing the primes with?

What watch do you have? It has some IR emitter that is going nuts... has it ever ruined any of your photos?

I use Zoom Lenses for my Wild Life BUT for Milky Way pass me my Z 20mm f1.8 S lens

01:12 had to be said

I swore off zoom lenses. Prime lenses are much better for astro.

What is the back story with the Nikon... I thought you were going to the grave with Sony.... 🙂

RIP

Completely out of context, but there is a shooting star at 8:02

You passed too soon, Alyn.

Hi Alyn, for me me best lens is the Sony 20mm 1.8 is not a GM but the quality is good, the size and weight is just perfect because I always go in my motorcycle and space and weight is critical Take care and still waiting for you here in Cusco Peru 🫡

So sad that you passed 🥲