Optimal focal length

Ok so here’s a question that is strictly opinion based. What is the optimal focal length for astrophotography?

I’m about to buy a prime lens to supplement my zoom lenses for Astro shots and curious what the masses say.

So let’s hear it 14, 20, 24, etc????

SC

I think that depends on the subjects you’re going for. There isn’t one lens to use for galaxies, nebula, planets/moon, sol, and the Milky Way.

The wider end of the focal lengths you listed, say 14-16mm, are commonly used for the Milky Way and nighttime landscapes. Getting wide is needed, the sky is big!

SailingAway wrote in post #19415254
I think that depends on the subjects you’re going for. There isn’t one lens to use for galaxies, nebula, planets/moon, sol, and the Milky Way.

The wider end of the focal lengths you listed, say 14-16mm, are commonly used for the Milky Way and nighttime landscapes. Getting wide is needed, the sky is big!

Thanks for the reply I should have been a little more clear but the wife was nagging at me when I posted that....

Nighttime landscapes is mainly what I am referring to and not so much planet, moon type shots.

SC

The answer still mostly stands, it depends on how wide a view you want. There are big differences at small focal length changes at the wide end, ie. 14mm provides a very different view than 20mm for example.

There isn't an optimal focal length, and there isn't an optimal brand of lens either. There are good Sigma, Canon, etc lenses at the wide end (10mm, 12mm, 14mm, etc) that will work.

I think as a general suggestion, you want to stay in the 10-16mm range, and then look at the reviews of which lenses receive praise that work in that range, then look at budget last.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19418942
The answer still mostly stands, it depends on how wide a view you want. There are big differences at small focal length changes at the wide end, ie. 14mm provides a very different view than 20mm for example.

There isn't an optimal focal length, and there isn't an optimal brand of lens either. There are good Sigma, Canon, etc lenses at the wide end (10mm, 12mm, 14mm, etc) that will work.

I think as a general suggestion, you want to stay in the 10-16mm range, and then look at the reviews of which lenses receive praise that work in that range, then look at budget last.

Thanks for the reply! I’m clear on the differences in specs of gear and that there is no one size fits all lens. I was rather looking for a persons specific opinion on what would be the best based on their experience and maybe a why to go along with it. I wasn’t considering as low as ten originally but will definitely look into it now.

There aren't too many full frame options below 12mm, but there are more for APS-C.