Improve your evening images by pairing up top-of-the-line cameras for images and movies with top-of-the-line wide-angle lenses. Alternatively, you might discover what you’re on the lookout for in our complete finest lenses for astrophotography and finest zoom lenses guides. However if you happen to’re aiming to seize the widest view of the sky potential, you’re in the precise place.
Broad-angle prime and zoom lenses will all the time be common for astrophotography as a result of they permit you to seize extra of the sky than customary or telephoto focal lengths. Moreover, they’re incredible for incorporating floor and foreground components inside your photographs so as to add a visible anchor. We’ll be the perfect accessible for a variety of digicam programs.
When you’re an skilled astrophotographer or just need to enhance your outcomes, take a look at our information on one of the best star trackers to take your evening sky images to the following degree. Star trackers are the final word software for astrophotographers to pair up one of the best wide-angle lens for his or her type of images.
The short listing
Beneath you may discover an summary of all of the lenses included on this information, with some professionals and cons that will help you discover those that finest fit your wants and funds. On this part, you will discover hyperlinks to learn extra detailed critiques of the merchandise you are most desirous about.
Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Artwork
Greatest third-party lens
The Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Artwork is a novel prime lens with an ultra-wide subject of view, massive most aperture and glorious construct high quality.
Rokinon/Samyang 14mm f/2.8
Greatest most cost-effective
Broad-angle primes don’t should price the earth, and the Rokinon/Samyang 14mm f/2.8 is a funds mannequin you possibly can’t afford to miss, with a number of lens mounts accessible.
Greatest Sony E
With an equal focal vary of 24-82.5mm, the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G is a particularly versatile customary zoom for Sony E-Mount APS-C cameras.
Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp
Greatest Sony FE
When you’re on the lookout for a top-notch extremely wide-angle zoom on your full-frame Sony digicam, the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp is a shocking piece of glass.
Greatest Nikon F-Mount zoom
The Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 ED is a DLSR traditional providing glorious picture high quality alongside its extremely wide-angle focal vary. It may also be used with Z-Collection cameras utilizing the FTZ II adaptor.
Greatest Nikon F-Mount prime
The AF Nikkor 14mm f/2.8D ED is knowledgeable extremely wide-angle prime lens for Nikon F-Mount DSLRs. It may also be used with Z Collection cameras when paired with the Nikon FTZ II adaptor.
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Greatest Nikon Z-Mount zoom
The Nikkor Z 17-28mm f/2.8 is a compact and light-weight extremely wide-angle zoom with a quick f/2.8 most aperture. This can be a lens that may cowl many astrophotography compositions.
Greatest Nikon Z-Mount prime
Usually touted as the proper avenue images lens, the Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 can be a incredible lens for astrophotography due to its focal size and quick most aperture.
Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM
Greatest Canon RF zoom
The Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM is a powerful extremely wide-angle Canon RF lens that’s good for astrophotography, landscapes, structure and journey images.
Greatest Canon RF prime
The Canon RF 20mm F1.4L VCM is a hybrid picture and video lens, and the widest accessible in Canon’s hybrid sequence. Picture high quality is great alongside spectacular construct high quality.
Fujinon XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR
Greatest Fujifilm zoom
The Fujinon XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR is a powerful weather-resistant, extremely wide-angle zoom with a 12-24mm equal focal vary for Fujifilm X-Collection cameras.
Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR
Greatest Fujifilm prime
A compact skilled prime lens with a 27mm equal focal size. Picture high quality is spectacular, whereas the sturdy construct is ideal for out of doors images.
The most effective wide-angle lenses we advocate in 2025
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Our skilled reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services so you possibly can select one of the best for you. Discover out extra about how we take a look at and overview merchandise.
Greatest third-party lens
Purchase it if
✅ You want a quick and huge prime: The Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Artwork is the quickest extremely wide-angle prime accessible.
✅ You need glorious picture high quality: The picture high quality produced by this lens is incredible, with well-controlled chromatic aberration and distortion.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You need to journey mild: This can be a massive and heavy lens because of the focal size and most aperture mixture.
❌ You’re on a funds: Whereas the lens is priced as you’d anticipate, you’ll find various wide-angle primes at extra inexpensive costs.
The underside line
🔎 The Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Artwork is the world’s first lens of its sort. It presents glorious construct high quality and sturdiness, whereas the picture high quality produced by the lens is spectacular. It’s, nonetheless, massive and heavy, so it’s not as transportable as many options. ★★★★½
The Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Artwork is an extremely wide-angle prime lens coupled with a quick f/1.4 most aperture. It’s massively spectacular on a technical entrance, and its design illustrates this, however this distinctive mixture signifies that it’s a big lens with a big bulbous entrance factor. It’s nonetheless, nonetheless, an astrophotographer’s dream lens.
Design: This can be a incredible lens for astrophotographers taking pictures with Sigma L-Mount and Sony EF cameras. Construct high quality is great, though the lens weighs in at 2.58 lbs / 1170 g. There’s a tripod collar, which is crucial, and the bulbous entrance factor is protected to a level by a built-in petal lens hood.
Efficiency: The picture high quality produced by this lens is nothing wanting wonderful. Chromatic aberration and distortion are nicely managed, whereas general sharpness, even within the corners of the body, is spectacular. These credentials alone make it perfect for astrophotography, landscapes, structure and lots of extra topics, as we mentioned in our Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Artwork overview.
Performance: The Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Artwork contains a guide aperture ring and a big and clean guide focus ring. There’s the same old AF/MF swap, a spotlight lock, which may very well be helpful, and a customizable button. There’s a rear filter holder for sheet-type filters for the reason that entrance factor is so massive, which suggests panorama photographers can nonetheless use sure kinds of filters.
Learn our full Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Artwork overview
Attributes |
Notes |
---|---|
Design: |
Distinctive construct high quality. |
Efficiency: |
Unbelievable picture high quality. |
Performance: |
Quick aperture and extremely wide-angle lens. |
Greatest most cost-effective
Purchase it if
✅ You’re on a funds: Broad-angle primes don’t normally come this low cost, however this lens is extremely inexpensive.
✅ You’d like a compact lens: This can be a small and light-weight lens that you simply’ll barely realise you’re carrying.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You require nice picture high quality: This lens is adequate, however there’s chromatic aberration seen in photographs.
❌ You’d like autofocus: Whereas AF is just about ineffective for astrophotography, you might require it in different conditions.
The underside line
🔎 The Rokinon/Samyang 14mm f/2.8 is a good lens for budding astrophotographers on a funds. The 14mm focal size and full guide management are perfect for capturing the evening sky, whereas the small measurement and low weight make it a worthy addition to newbie’s equipment luggage. ★★★★
The Rokinon/Samyang 14mm f/2.8 is likely one of the least costly wide-angle primes you’ll discover for astrophotography, and it’s accessible in a number of lens mounts. Management is totally guide with guide focus solely and a conventional aperture ring. Each of which are perfect for astrophotography, so don’t let these put you off.
Design: This can be a compact and light-weight lens that weighs simply 1.1 lbs / 499 g. It actually has the look of an older lens designed for capturing movie, with the slim guide focus ring sitting conveniently between the guide aperture ring and the fastened petal lens hood. This lens is bought underneath two names: Rokinon/Samyang, however each are the identical.
Efficiency: Pictures from this budget-friendly lens endure from distortion, and though the centre of the body is acceptably sharp, there’s noticeable fall-off in the direction of the sides huge open. Chromatic aberration and vignetting are additionally seen, though these, alongside the distortion, will be fastened in picture enhancing software program.
Performance: As we talked about in our Rokinon/Samyang 14mm f/2.8 overview, the details of curiosity on this lens are its small measurement, light-weight, low price, the moderately quick most aperture and the huge focal size. There are not any particular options, though there’s an autofocus model accessible for the next price if you happen to require this performance.
Learn our full Rokinon/Samyang 14mm f/2.8 overview
Attributes |
Notes |
---|---|
Design: |
Small and light-weight with acceptable construct high quality. |
Efficiency: |
Enough, though nice for the value. |
Performance: |
A fundamental, totally guide lens. |
Greatest Sony E
Purchase it if
✅ You want a workhorse lens: This can be a lens that can be utilized for an extremely wide selection of topics, together with astrophotography.
✅ You’d like a quick zoom: Because of its fixed f/2.8 aperture, the light-gathering capabilities of the lens are respectable.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You want a wider lens: When you want an extremely wide-angle lens on your Sony APS-C digicam, you’ll want a 10mm or 12mm minimal focal size.
❌ You’d like a quicker Aperture: Prime lenses sometimes have quicker most apertures of f/1.8 or wider, which permit for decrease ISO settings for use.
The underside line
🔎 The Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G is essentially the most versatile zoom accessible for E-Mount APS-C cameras> That is due to its 24-82.5mm equal focal vary and quick f/2.8 fixed aperture. It’s additionally mud and moisture-resistant, making it perfect for out of doors images. ★★★★
The Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G is a flexible customary zoom lens that may undoubtedly get loads of use hooked up to your APS-C Sony E-Mount digicam. It’s a helpful lens for astrophotography as a consequence of its small and light-weight design, whereas the utmost f/2.8 aperture presents affordable light-gathering capabilities, as we defined in our Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G overview.
Design: The lens is compact and light-weight at simply 17.43 oz / 494 g. Construct high quality is incredible, and its mud and moisture resistance make it perfect for out of doors images. The lens additionally contains a 24-82.5mm equal focal vary, though it doesn’t provide Optical Picture Stabilization, so that you’ll should depend on IBIS in case your digicam physique presents this function.
Efficiency: That is an impressively sharp lens providing noticeable enhancements over lower-quality equipment lenses. Ghosting and chromatic aberration are nearly non-existent, and colour replica is great. Distortion is heavy and like many trendy lenses, the 16-55mm depends closely on lens corrections to disclose its finally spectacular picture high quality.
Performance: With its fixed f/2.8 aperture and 16mm wide-angle setting, it is a helpful lens for astrophotography amongst many different topics. Autofocus is quick and silent in good mild, whereas guide focus is clean. It’s an important little lens general and one which APS-C Sony E-Mount digicam house owners will love.
Learn our full Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G overview
Attributes |
Notes |
---|---|
Design: |
Mud and moisture-resistant construct. |
Efficiency: |
Nice picture high quality however depends on lens corrections. |
Performance: |
Fairly quick f/2.8 fixed most aperture. |
Greatest Sony FE
Purchase it if
✅ You desire a huge subject of view: With its 12-24mm focal vary, this lens captures its setting with beautiful wide-angle outcomes.
✅ You want velocity: With such a wide-angle focal vary, mixed with the f/2.8 most aperture, this lens has glorious light-gathering capabilities.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You’re on a funds: That is an costly and arguably specialist lens, so you might discover it tough to justify the expense.
❌ You shoot APS-C: In case you have an APS-C Sony digicam, you’ll be lacking out on what makes this lens so particular as a result of the equal focal vary is 18-36mm.
The underside line
🔎 The Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp is an exceptionally high-quality lens with a particularly helpful extremely wide-angle focal vary. It’s not low cost, however it is a lens that received’t allow you to down if you happen to require an extremely wide-angle zoom with a quick most aperture. ★★★★
The Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp is an absolute beast due to its extremely wide-angle focal vary and quick f/2.8 most aperture. It’s undoubtedly an costly lens, however there are few choices fairly prefer it for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras. So, if you happen to want this focal vary, it’s a tough lens to beat, as we talked about in our Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp overview.
Design: Being a Sony G Grasp lens, construct high quality is great, and the fluorine-coated entrance factor helps to maintain mud and filth at bay. The entrance factor is, nonetheless, bulbous, which suggests filter choices are restricted to massive and costly 150mm sq. filters. It’s additionally heavy at 1.8 lbs / 847 g, though it’s weather-sealed, making it perfect for lengthy nights capturing the celebrities.
Efficiency: Picture high quality is nice with spectacular ranges of sharpness. There may be some vignetting at 12mm when taking pictures at f/2.8, which is to be anticipated, however this may be simply eliminated in enhancing software program. These settings are perfect for astrophotography, whereas the general focal vary additional will increase its usefulness when taking pictures a wide range of evening sky compositions.
Performance: The principle options of this lens are the focal vary and most aperture. Guide focusing is clean, whereas autofocus is quick and constructive due to 4 XD Linear Motors. There’s additionally a customizable focus maintain button that may be assigned with different capabilities utilizing the digicam menu.
Learn our full Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp overview
Attributes |
Notes |
---|---|
Design: |
Wonderful construct high quality however with a bulbous entrance factor. |
Efficiency: |
Unbelievable picture high quality with excessive ranges of sharpness. |
Performance: |
Extremely wide-angle zoom vary and quick aperture. |
Greatest Nikon F Mount zoom
Purchase it if
✅ You need an ultra-wide zoom: With its 12-24mm zoom vary and quick f/2.8 most aperture, it is a nice lens for Nikon F-Mount customers.
✅ You worth picture high quality: The picture high quality produced by the lens is great, with superbly sharp outcomes potential.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You’d choose a lighter lens: at 2.2 lbs / 1 kg, it is a heavy lens, and there are lighter F-Mount zooms accessible, though not as huge.
❌ You’d like a more moderen lens: When you shoot with a Nikon Z-Collection digicam, you should use this lens with an adaptor, however newer native options can be found.
The underside line
🔎 The Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 ED is a incredible lens for low-light images due to its ultra-wide focal vary, quick most aperture and glorious picture high quality. It may also be used with Nikon mirrorless cameras utilizing an adaptor. ★★★★½
The Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 ED is a traditional DLSR lens for astro, panorama and structure photographers. It presents glorious picture high quality alongside its extremely wide-angle focal vary. Plus, it may also be used with Nikon Z-Collection mirrorless cameras utilizing the Nikon FTZ II adaptor, so there’s nonetheless loads of potential for this lens sooner or later.
Design: The design of the lens is pretty easy with no guide aperture ring, a big guide focus ring and an AF/MF swap. Construct high quality is great, and the built-in petal hood helps to guard the bulbous entrance factor. It’s a little bit of a beast with a weight of two.2 lbs / 1 kg, however that is testomony to the construct high quality and optical building.
Efficiency: In our Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 ED overview, we discovered picture high quality was glorious. Pictures are constantly sharp, whereas distortion, chromatic aberration and vignetting are saved to a minimal. The latter is noticeable huge open, however this may be simply eliminated in picture enhancing software program.
Performance: Quick and exact autofocus apart, the huge and grippy zoom and guide focus rings make changes in these areas simple and efficient. To not point out, their measurement makes operation simple even when sporting gloves and/or when working in the dead of night. It’s easy in some methods, but it surely’s what you want for taking pictures astrophotography.
Learn our full Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 ED overview
Attributes |
Notes |
---|---|
Design: |
Wonderful construct high quality you possibly can rely on. |
Efficiency: |
Unbelievable picture high quality with excessive ranges of sharpness. |
Performance: |
Straightforward and cozy to function. |
Greatest Nikon F-Mount prime
Purchase it if
✅ You’re on the lookout for a discount: When you shoot with a Nikon DSLR, you’ll find this lens each new and at second-hand discount costs.
✅ You could go huge: When you shoot with a Nikon DSLR, it is a traditional lens for astrophotography that may work seamlessly together with your digicam.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You desire a trendy lens: Being 25 years outdated, you could possibly discover newer F-Mount lenses and Z-Mount lenses if you happen to shoot with Nikon mirrorless cameras.
❌ You desire a quicker lens: f/2.8 is completely enough for astrophotography, however you’ll find ultra-wide-angle primes with quicker most apertures.
The underside line
🔎 The AF Nikkor 14mm f/2.8D ED could also be a discontinued lens, however you possibly can nonetheless choose it up new from some retailers, with second-hand bargains additionally accessible. This extremely wide-angle prime isn’t the quickest at f/2.8, but it surely’s nonetheless a worthy consideration for astrophotography. ★★★★
The AF Nikkor 14mm f/2.8D ED is knowledgeable extremely wide-angle prime lens for Nikon F-Mount DSLRs. This compact mid-weight lens was launched again in 2000, and stays a lovely possibility for astrophotographers taking pictures with Nikon F-Mount DSLRs.
Design: You may inform that is an older Nikon lens design as quickly as you see it. The largest giveaway is the guide aperture ring. Construct high quality is sweet, though switching to guide focus is quirky with a hoop on the lens that must be rotated into place to change between auto and guide focus. The entrance factor can be bulbous with a built-in petal lens hood.
Efficiency: Picture high quality is fairly good general, but it surely’s removed from good for the reason that lens suffers from moustache distortion. That is the place pictures barrel within the centre and have pincushion distortion in the direction of the sides of the body. That is much less of a problem with astrophotography than it’s with panorama images. Pictures are sharp, however there’s pretty robust vignetting huge open.
Performance: Regardless of being an older lens, the AF Nikkor 14mm f/2.8D ED nonetheless performs nicely and can be utilized with Z sequence Nikon cameras when paired with the Nikon FTZ II adaptor. The guide aperture ring can be helpful as a result of you possibly can set it to the utmost f/2.8 aperture and go away it there with solely guide focus to regulate if you shoot.
The AF Nikkor 14mm f/2.8D ED hasn’t been reviewed individually
Attributes |
Notes |
---|---|
Design: |
An older design with respectable construct high quality. |
Performance: |
A easy lens with a guide aperture ring. |
Efficiency: |
Distortion is current, and the lens vignettes huge open. |
Greatest Nikon Z-Mount zoom
Purchase it if
✅ You’d like glorious picture high quality: The picture high quality produced by this lens is general incredible. It is probably not as quick as a major, but it surely’s extremely versatile.
✅ You’re on a funds: This lens is extremely well-priced, so though it’s not low cost, it’s actually removed from the costliest zoom of this kind.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You want a wider zoom: The NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S is of course a wider-angle zoom, and people three additional millimeters will make a distinction.
❌ You’d like a quicker prime: Prime lenses are sometimes quicker than zooms, so a quicker prime is a good possibility if a hard and fast focal size is what you want.
The underside line
🔎 The Nikkor Z 17-28mm f/2.8 is an economical extremely wide-angle zoom that’s good for a variety of astrophotography photographs as a consequence of its helpful and versatile focal vary. Picture high quality can be glorious, so this lens is a win-win. ★★★★½
The Nikkor Z 17-28mm f/2.8 presents a incredible and versatile focal vary for astrophotography, coupled with a fairly quick f/2.8 most aperture. It’s additionally an important lens for panorama and cityscape images if you happen to additionally shoot these topics. The price of the lens can be attractively low contemplating the specs and the efficiency which are on provide.
Design: The construct high quality of this compact and light-weight lens is great. The zoom ring can be slender, whereas the guide focus ring is huge, making it simple to function when sporting gloves. The one draw back to the design is that there isn’t an AF/MF swap, so you need to swap to guide focus within the digicam menu, though this isn’t a dealbreaker.
Efficiency: Picture high quality is spectacular with nice edge sharpness when taking pictures huge open. Vignetting can be delicate and will be simply eliminated in picture enhancing software program. Vignetting drops considerably by f/3.2, but it surely’s finest to shoot huge open and take away vignetting in software program.
Performance: The important thing options of this lens are the 17-28mm focal vary coupled with the f/2.8 most aperture. The 67mm filter thread can be helpful if you happen to intend to make use of star and/or colour correction filters to take away the orange glow of synthetic mild sources, if current within the sky.
Full Nikkor Z 17-28mm f/2.8 overview coming quickly
Attributes |
Notes |
---|---|
Design: |
Wonderful construct high quality, compact and light-weight. |
Performance: |
Nice mixture of focal vary and most aperture. |
Efficiency: |
Picture high quality is incredible general. |
Greatest Nikon Z-Mount prime
Purchase it if
✅ You’d like a quick 35mm: 35mm prime lenses present a traditional astrophotography focal size that’s perfect when incorporating foreground curiosity in evening sky photographs.
✅ You don’t desire a zoom lens: Zoom lenses are by no means as quick as primes, so though dearer, a set of primes could be a helpful various.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You’d like much less chromatic aberration: This lens at f/1.8 is sharper than the Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S is huge open, however the f/1.4 model suffers extra from chromatic aberration.
❌ You’d choose flexibility: Zoom lenses naturally present higher flexibility with their variable focal size, so you might discover such a lens extra helpful.
The underside line
🔎 With glorious construct high quality coupled with climate resistance, a quick most aperture and a helpful focal size, the Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 is a good alternative for full-frame Nikon Z cameras. What’s extra, the lens is available in at a lovely worth. ★★★★
The Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 is a incredible lens for astrophotography due to its focal size and quick most aperture. It’s additionally compact and light-weight, so it received’t weigh you down throughout lengthy nights on location capturing the evening sky. It additionally presents a minimal focusing distance of 10.6 in / 27 cm, so it has a large scope for capturing a variety of photographic topics.
Design: The construct high quality of this compact and light-weight lens is great and presents climate resistance. There’s a slender clickless management ring for assigning capabilities, whereas the guide focus ring is huge, making it simple to function when sporting gloves. The draw back of the design is that there isn’t an AF/MF swap, so you need to swap to guide focus within the digicam menu, which is widespread with many Z-Collection lenses.
Efficiency: Picture high quality is sweet however not distinctive, with chromatic aberration and vignetting huge open. This lens at f/1.8 is sharper than the Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S is huge open, however the f/1.4 model suffers extra from chromatic aberration. At f/1.4, it’s additionally a lot much less sharp than at f/1.8, but it surely’s nonetheless a inexpensive lens than the slower model.
Performance: That is an extremely inexpensive lens given the specs and construct high quality on provide. The lens is easy in its design, with the one function of observe being the aforementioned management ring, though that is finest left inactive when taking pictures in low mild to keep away from unintentionally adjusting settings.
Full Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 overview coming quickly
Attributes |
Notes |
---|---|
Design: |
Sturdy but easy weather-sealed design. |
Performance: |
Clickless management ring for assigning settings |
Efficiency: |
Good picture high quality, however chromatic aberration is seen. |
Greatest Canon RF zoom
Purchase it if
✅ You’d like an inexpensive zoom: Since this isn’t a 16-35mm f/2.8, it’s smaller, lighter and cheaper than various lenses of this kind.
✅ You require versatility: The 16-28mm focal vary mixed with the f/2.8 most aperture make the lens extraordinarily helpful in a variety of conditions.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You want a quicker lens: If you need a bigger most aperture for capturing the evening sky, a major lens is what you want.
❌ You’d like a higher-quality lens: When you’d choose one of the best glass Canon presents, you’ll have to take a look at the dearer L-Collection vary of lenses.
The underside line
🔎 The Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM is a compact and light-weight lens due to the lowered focal vary in comparison with options. It’s moderately priced, and picture high quality is spectacular within the corners when taking pictures huge open. ★★★★
The Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM is a powerful extremely wide-angle Canon RF lens, good for astrophotography, landscapes, structure and journey images. It’s one in all a number of choices from Canon within the wider zoom spectrum, however what makes this lens enticing is the value and the spectacular picture high quality it produces.
Design: The lens is well-made and is weather-sealed. The entrance of the lens is retractable so it strikes as you zoom, however this isn’t a problem. The zoom ring is beneficiant in measurement whereas the guide focus ring is sort of slender, so gloved use of the lens could also be a problem. The RF 16-28mm can be compact and light-weight, which is nice for location-based photographers.
Efficiency: Centre sharpness is great, and nook sharpness is completely acceptable at 16mm at f/2.8. Vignetting and distortion are seen in Uncooked information captured with the lens, so lens corrections in Adobe Lightroom or comparable software program are important. Nonetheless, as soon as utilized, picture high quality is incredible, and it is a widespread function of contemporary lenses, so it’s not a shock.
Performance: The RF 16-28mm is an easy lens, but it surely does provide Optical Picture Stabilization of as much as 5.5 stops of compensation, which is nice for handheld taking pictures. That is of no use for astrophotography, however a welcome function nonetheless. The filter thread measurement can be a modest 67mm.
Full Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM overview coming quickly
Attributes |
Notes |
---|---|
Design: |
Climate-sealed but easy design. |
Performance: |
OIS of as much as 5.5 stops of compensation. |
Efficiency: |
Nice picture high quality, though corrections are required. |
Greatest Canon RF Prime
Purchase it if
✅ You desire a quick and huge canon prime: 20mm lenses are incredible for astrophotography, whereas the f/1.4 most aperture is one other win for Canon customers.
✅ You shoot images and movies: Whereas this lens is great for stills, being a hybrid lens means it’s additionally equally good for video seize.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You want higher flexibility: You might discover {that a} barely slower zoom with a variable focal size goes to be extra helpful to you than a major lens.
❌ You Shoot APS-C: This lens has an equal focal size of 32mm on APS-C R-Collection cameras, so it’s arguably too costly to be used on this method with the focal size enhance.
The underside line
🔎 The Canon RF 20mm F1.4L VCM is an astrophotography powerhouse, whether or not you propose to seize evening sky images, movies or each. Its hybrid credentials and nice picture high quality make it a worthy addition to Canon R-Collection digicam house owners’ equipment luggage. ★★★★½
The Canon RF 20mm F1.4L VCM is Canon’s widest hybrid L-Collection prime lens for images and movies, with options and performance geared toward each kinds of picture seize. Additionally, being an L-Collection lens, its construct high quality and general dealing with are precisely what you’d anticipate from a premium wide-angle lens with a quick most aperture.
Design: This lens is similar to the hybrid primes which are a part of the identical group, with solely the burden between the lens choices being totally different. The construct high quality is reassuringly sturdy, with climate sealing thrown in for good measure. The guide focus ring can be good and huge with snug resistance throughout operation.
Efficiency: Picture high quality is nice, though, like the opposite hybrid lenses, both in-camera corrections for JPEGs or software program corrections for Uncooked information are important. As soon as the heavy distortion is corrected, nonetheless, picture high quality is incredible. There’s naturally vignetting huge open, however that is efficiently eliminated by each kinds of lens corrections.
Performance: The lens, by way of options, is a fundamental prime, however with a guide aperture ring. That is for video-only except you’re utilizing a 2024 onwards digicam physique. There’s additionally a management ring that may have capabilities assigned to it, though that is finest left inactive when taking pictures in the dead of night to keep away from unintentionally adjusting settings.
Full Canon RF 20mm F1.4L VCM overview coming quickly
Attributes |
Notes |
---|---|
Design: |
Excessive-quality, tried and examined L-Collection design and construct. |
Performance: |
Quick and huge with picture and video performance. |
Efficiency: |
Nice picture high quality regardless of the reliance on lens corrections. |
Greatest Fujifilm zoom
Purchase it if
✅ You want ultra-wide versatility: With its 12-24mm equal focal size and quick f/2.8 most aperture, this lens is prone to see loads of use.
✅ You’d like nice picture high quality: Picture high quality is finest within the centre of the body huge open at 8mm, however the fall-off in edge sharpness nonetheless isn’t a dealbreaker.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You need distinctive edge sharpness: For a sharper picture throughout the body alongside a quicker aperture, you’ll want one in all Fujifilm’s prime lenses.
❌ You’d like a lighter lens: This lens is the dimensions and weight you’d anticipate of a full-frame lens, so it’s removed from essentially the most compact possibility accessible.
The underside line
🔎 The Fujinon XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR is the widest quick zoom lens accessible for Fujifilm X-Mount cameras, so it’s a must have if that is what you’re on the lookout for. Picture high quality is sweet huge open, whereas construct high quality is great. ★★★★½
Fujinon XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR is a pointy and sturdy extremely wide-angle lens with a 12-24mm equal focal vary for Fujifilm X-Mount cameras. It’s an absolute beast by way of measurement and weight, but it surely greater than makes up for this with its versatility and usefulness when capturing the evening sky.
Design: The XF8-16mm is knowledgeable lens and the design and construct high quality match. It’s truthful to say that the lens is constructed like a tank and presents climate resistance, and the climate sealing is so good, it’s a lens that you should use in opposed circumstances confidently. The entrance factor is barely bulbous and has a built-in petal lens hood to supply safety.
Efficiency: Picture high quality is great general, however for astrophotography, edge sharpness is lowest at 8mm at f/2.8. It stays usable, and edge sharpness does enhance at 10mm. Centre sharpness is essentially the most spectacular, as you’d anticipate for an extremely wide-angle zoom with this focal vary. Vignetting can be strongest huge open, however will be simply fastened in picture enhancing software program.
Performance: Focal vary and quick most aperture apart, the 8-16mm contains a guide aperture ring like many Fujifilm lenses. It’s marketed as being good for astrophotography and landscapes amongst different topics, and its general efficiency actually confirms this.
Full Fujinon XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR overview coming quickly
Attributes |
Notes |
---|---|
Design: |
Wonderful construct high quality, however massive and heavy for an APS-C lens. |
Performance: |
Quick, ultrawide and contains a guide aperture ring. |
Efficiency: |
Nice picture high quality general. |
Greatest Fujifilm prime
Purchase it if
✅ You’d like a quick and huge prime: with a 27mm equal focal size and f/1.4 most aperture, it is a nice lens for astrophotography.
✅ You worth picture high quality: Picture high quality can’t be faulted, and you’ll undoubtedly be impressed with what this lens is able to.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You’d choose a zoom: That is apparent, however if you happen to really feel a hard and fast focal size can be a limitation, take into account a Fujifilm Zoom with an f/2.8 most aperture.
❌ You’re on a funds: This lens isn’t low cost for an APS-C prime lens; it’s nice, however if you happen to’re on a funds, take into account a inexpensive various prime lens.
The underside line
🔎 The Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR is a incredible possibility for Fujifilm X-Mount digicam house owners. Not solely is it well-built with climate sealing, but it surely additionally produces incredible picture high quality. It’s not low cost, but it surely’s price a glance in case your funds stretches to it. ★★★★½
The Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR isn’t an affordable lens, but it surely’s an extremely enticing possibility for astrophotographers taking pictures with Fujifilm X-Mount cameras. This can be a quick f/1.4 prime lens with a 27mm equal focal size, so though not the widest prime you may need to use for capturing the evening sky, it’s nonetheless an extremely helpful focal size.
Design: This weather-sealed lens presents nice construct high quality and contains a huge guide focus ring. It’s actually huge sufficient to be used when sporting gloves. The general design is sort of unassuming, however the optical building inside is the place the magic occurs and is finally what’s most necessary.
Efficiency: Picture high quality is incredible with low ranges of chromatic aberration, vignetting and distortion. All of which will be corrected in picture enhancing software program. Central sharpness is great at f/1.4, whereas the sides of the body can’t be faulted both, which is unbelievable information for astrophotographers.
Performance: As beforehand talked about, that is an unassuming lens with plain seems to be that belie its efficiency and dealing with. It’s a stable lens with a 62mm filter thread, whereas the guide aperture ring will be set manually by rotating it to the specified setting, or set to A for camera-based management. All in all, this may very well be a must have lens for astrophotographers taking pictures with Fujifilm X-Mount cameras.
Full Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR overview coming quickly
Attributes |
Notes |
---|---|
Design: |
Plain however stable design with climate sealing. |
Performance: |
A easy prime lens with guide and autofocus. |
Efficiency: |
Wonderful picture high quality all through. |
How we examined one of the best wide-angle lenses
Lenses are examined by our skilled workers or freelance contributors who’ve a wealth of images information and expertise. Each lens take a look at follows strict real-world testing, the place each function and all capabilities are examined to evaluate general efficiency.
For picture high quality, all kinds of take a look at images are captured to match and distinction settings and to test sharpness, distortion and different picture high quality defects. These are backed up by capturing images of topics related to Area.com readers.
With full editorial independence, Area.com is right here to make sure you get one of the best shopping for recommendation on digicam lenses, whether or not you can purchase one or not, making our purchasing guides and critiques dependable and clear.
Greatest wide-angle lenses continuously requested questions
Which lens is finest for me?
The most effective wide-angle lens for you’ll in the beginning rely on the lens mount of your digicam. It’s a must to select a suitable lens, or it merely received’t connect to your digicam. Secondly, you have to resolve which focal size or focal vary will present the sector of view you’re aiming to seize. Price is an element for a lot of photographers, too, however shopping for one of the best glass you possibly can afford is all the time really helpful.
Prime or zoom lens?
Zoom lenses present most flexibility with a sometimes slower most aperture than prime lenses. Prime lenses, however, have a hard and fast focal size and a sometimes quicker most aperture as quick as f/1.2. Prime lenses with quick most apertures are a agency favorite amongst astrophotographers, though some zoom lenses can nonetheless be extraordinarily helpful.
Is Picture Stabilization necessary?
Picture Stabilization is most necessary if you plan to make use of a lens handheld and need to shoot on the lowest ISO settings potential for the circumstances. It may also be helpful when capturing video handheld. For astrophotography, nonetheless, you’ll must shoot with the digicam hooked up to a tripod, so this function isn’t required on this state of affairs.
Third-party or OEM?
Third-party lenses from producers equivalent to Sigma can produce higher high quality than OEM lenses, relying on the lens itself. Not all the time, however each kinds of producers create low, medium and high-quality lenses. The beauty of having each choices accessible to you is that it opens up many extra lens choices, which finally means there’s a a lot increased probability of discovering the proper lens for you.