Wide, Fast, and Cheap?

I was out shooting some nighttime photos of the stars and scenery, and I came to the realization that while shooting at f/1.8 at 50mm was ok, faster and wider would be better. I am now interested in a specialist lens that I could use for nighttime shots. I'd want it to be in the 24-30mm range, and f/1.8 or faster. Also, full frame coverage would be good, since I hope to upgrade to the 5DII soon.

In an ideal world, the 24LII would be just the ticket, but it is out of my $$ range.

I was looking around and found the following on B&H:

Canon 28mm f/1.8
Sigma 24mm and 28mm f/1.8s

Since I would be shooting from a tripod, It would not need to AF. Thus, I would be willing to go for a used manual focus adapted lens if it would provide better IQ.

Questions:
1. Any MF lens suggestions I should be looking at? (and estimated prices, if you know).

2. Of the 3 lenses that I found on B&H, how's their IQ wide open?

Thanks for any and all advice!

If you are on a tripod, why do you even need a fast lens. For stars and scenery, f8 would be ideal anyway. Use your 17-40L, a remote shutter release, and a long exposure at ISO 100.

Although I do wish there were some better wide, fast options for us crop cam shooters, it is not needed for these kinds of shots.

You Can Pick Two...

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #8716512
You Can Pick Two...

There aren't any wide options at any price for crop shooters. Like a 24L equivalent would have to be a 15mm. fastest is f2.8. So I guess we can only pick one right now - wide.

Why fast? I have had great results at f/8 or f/11 shooting long exposures for star trails, but I am looking for fast aperture to avoid star trails and bring out detail in the structure of the milky way. In dark skies, ISO800 or 1600 at f/1.8 at ~20 seconds will show the milky way. Unfortunately, even shooting at a 20 or 30 second exposure time will result in small star trails due to the earth's rotation, and the milky way detail will be blurred to some extent. (this is on a 50mm focal length). With a wider lens, the star trails will be shorter (relative to the frame size) at similar exposure.

As for focal length: To be clear, I am not looking for a 24mm *equivalent* for a crop. In fact, I am not too picky about focal length. In general, I want something wider than my 50mm, preferably in the 24-30mm focal length range. (this is independant of what camera it is used on.)

As for cheap, I was thinking in the $500 or less range. Are there no older manual focus lenses that could be adapted to an EF mount that would fit the bill?

Just so you know, I have been looking for a lens for this same exact purpose. You're not alone...

I've even been looking at the new fast samyangs, but they still seem a little pricey for me. I would love a 14mm for doing intervalometer exposures during meteor showers. I'm also considering the Tokina 11-16/2.8 as the extra price could be justified by the added utility of the lens.

None are 1.8 or faster, but Olympus has many great MF choices in that range. You could get any of the Oly 28's or 24's or the 21/3.5. All are very easy to adapt to EF mount. The 24/2.8 lens and 28/2.0 are among the best WA available in their price range. the 28/3.5 is perhaps the best lens for the $ I've seen. If you wanted to start cheap you should be able to get that lens and an adapter for under $100.

For a wider lens, you may want to consider going full-frame. A used 5D maybe? That way, a 50mm f/1.4 is a reasonable option, as it acts like a 35mm on a crop cam. Just trying to think around the problem!

From what i've seen of the Sigma 24 f/1.8, its a very impressive lens, Someone here even threw it up against the 24L and it was pretty much a dead heat...Keep in mind you can get one used for $250 or so as well

For quick and 24 or so...i cant think of much..Most lenses in that sort of range are going to be equally expensive and f/2 at best...

Matatazela wrote in post #8720420
For a wider lens, you may want to consider going full-frame. A used 5D maybe? That way, a 50mm f/1.4 is a reasonable option, as it acts like a 35mm on a crop cam. Just trying to think around the problem!

you mean 85 instead of 35.

LisaRae82 wrote in post #8720484
you mean 85 instead of 35.

No, 35 is roughly like a 50 on 1.6x APS-C

in other words, he's suggesting the OP get a 5D and use the lens he has

KenjiS wrote in post #8720495
No, 35 is roughly like a 50 on 1.6x APS-C

in other words, he's suggesting the OP get a 5D and use the lens he has

Doh, I was thinking backwards

People seem to love the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC. It's crop only and costs $439 new.

Jason C

I have the canon 28mm f1.8 and I like it a lot. I don't know if I would recommend it for what you are doing though. It is really decently sharp if you just stop down from 1.8 to 2.0, so sharpness isn't a problem. But the reason I would hesitate recommending it for you is because this lenses biggest issue is CA or purple fringing that I believe would really show up on the edge of the stars. Otherwise, it's a great lens that I enjoy using everyday.

I had a sigma 30 f1.4 back when I had a crop camera and I loved that lens. It's definitely worth a look. Only issue would be softness around the edges wide open. But since it's a 1.4, you can stop it down a little to sharpen up the edges and still have a very fast 1.8-2.0 lens.

Have you thought about stacking images to get Milky Way shots? This was taken in Botswana with a 10-22. Just a few 20 second images stacked using Deep Sky Tracker.