The Best Sony Astrophotography Lens for 2024
What is the ultimate Sony astrophotography lens?
- Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens
- Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens
- Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM Lens
- Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G Lens
- Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM Lens
- Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II Lens
- Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens
- Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD Lens
- Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens
As a generalization, the above list is sorted in performance descending sequence.
About Sony Astrophotography Lenses
First, I need to clarify that I'm referring to nightscape, Milky Way, and general night sky photography that typically includes a foreground in the frame. If photographing deep-sky galaxies, nebulas, and other similar subjects, select a sharp telephoto lens and a quality equatorial tracking mount.
With that clarification out of the way — have you seen the Milky Way? Few subjects are as spectacular as this one.
I live under a moderately dark sky and get to see this incredible sight regularly. Still, I never grow tired of seeing it and will schedule photo trips to see it at other locations. I asked the question because most people (about 80% of Americans) cannot see the milky way from their homes, and a surprisingly high percentage have never seen this phenomenal sight. If you are among that percentage, you have an unchecked line item on the bucket list (add one of my photography workshops to your schedule?).
Here is a selection of nightscape pictures to inspire your interest.
Back to the lens selection. These are the characteristics of the ultimate astrophotography lens:
- Ultra-wide-angle or wide-angle focal length
- Extremely wide aperture
- Corner-to-corner tack-sharp wide-open image quality
- Low amount of peripheral shading
That is not an easy set of requirements to fill. Let's take a closer look at these requirements.
Select the Focal Length
Selecting the optimal focal length is usually the first step in choosing a lens for any purpose, and it is for this one.
While nearly any wide angle of view can be used for nightscapes, I seldom use a focal length longer than 24mm and rarely go longer than 35mm (full-frame angle of view reference). The widest focal lengths available are great for this pursuit. The title image for this page is a 12mm capture.
Here is an illustration showing what the full-frame 14-35mm focal length range looks like with the Milky Way in the frame:
We see that the longer the focal length, the less Milky Way length fits in the frame. However, a longer focal length expands the width of the Milky Way in the frame, resulting in a higher percentage of the frame filled with Milky Way.
What is my favorite Milky Way lens focal length from an angle of view consideration? If I had to pick one, it would be 24mm. However, 14mm, 20mm, and 24mm lenses are usually in my Milky Way pack, and long exposures provide time to operate two camera setups simultaneously.
Other aspects must be factored into the focal length choice. For example, the longer the focal length, the shorter the exposure required not to exceed the minimum acceptable star trails. I'll talk more about this issue in the next section.
Another factor is that longer focal lengths provide shallower depth of field. Keeping a foreground and the stars sharp (without focus bracketing) is easier with a wider-angle focal length.
Related to focal length is the availability of front filter threads. Some of the widest-angle lenses have bulbous front elements that preclude front filter use. Primarily, we are referring to light pollution filters as blocking any other light is detrimental to night sky photography.
Extremely Wide Aperture
When stars and the Milky Way are visible, the night sky is extremely dark, and that darkness sets the stage for the next night sky lens selection criteria.
If it is dark, simply use a longer exposure, right? Partially right. While the stars appear to be motionless, the required exposures are so long that the earth's rotation promotes night sky photography into a form of action photography.
The amount of action in the night sky is dependent on the distance of the subject stars from the north star, which doesn't move. Since wide-angle focal lengths take in a wide area of the sky, the stars appearing to move the fastest generally need to be accounted for.
The amount of action in the night sky is also dependent on the focal length selected. The longer the focal length, the more the stars are magnified, the faster the camera's movement causes them to cross over pixel wells (the source of motion blur), and the shorter the tolerable exposure durations become. For example, 14mm is half of 28mm, and the 2x longer exposure available at 14mm equates to a full stop of aperture or noise within the tolerable exposure duration.
Also factoring into the exposure consideration is the pixel density of the imaging sensor. Higher density means motion is going to cross pixels more rapidly.
The final output size must be considered. Viewing the entire image on a mobile phone will hide star trails far better than a 100% resolution view on a large monitor.
While various tools are available to calculate the acceptable star trail-less shutter speed, I prefer to learn directly from my camera's results in the field. When photographing nightscapes, the manual focus setting must be confirmed, and assessing the star trails is easily accomplished simultaneously. My images usually show a slight star trail at 100% view.
Even with the widest apertures available, the necessary ISO settings for Milky Way photography are very high, and noise is a significant nightscape image quality factor.
The bottom line is that the ideal astrophotography lens will have an extremely wide max aperture. A wider aperture allows more light to reach the imaging sensor, permitting a shorter exposure or lower ISO setting.
While an ultra-wide-angle f/4 lens can work, f/2.8 is a better minimum max aperture. Wide-angle f/2.8 lenses are abundant, including zoom lens options, and multiple f/2.8 lenses made this recommendation list.
However, the fastest lenses suited for this purpose open to f/1.4, letting in 4x as much light as the f/2.8 options.
Getting into specifics — the image below was captured at 24mm, f/1.4, 13 sec., ISO 6400, and 50 MP (learn more about Low-Level Lighting).
Sharp Image Quality
Stars are tiny and sharp. Rendering them true to life in a photograph requires a corner-to-corner sharp lens.
While many lenses are sharp when stopped down a couple of stops, requiring that attribute from an ultra-wide aperture raises the bar significantly. Don't expect absolute perfection from any of them — the perfect lens does not exist.
While many lenses, including some inexpensive ones, can produce sharp wide-open image quality in the center of the frame, a select few can produce even close to perfect corner image quality. Coma, astigmatism, and lateral CA (more easily corrected) combine to stretch stars into undesired, sometimes wild-looking shapes.
I mentioned that I am not referring to deep sky photography using a tracking mount. Still, a mount such as the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Pro can be extremely advantageous for general nightscape photography.
A mount with 1/2 speed rotation up to doubles the acceptable exposure duration by splitting the motion between the foreground and the sky. The up to 1-stop difference in aperture or ISO setting is considerable.
Low Amount of Peripheral Shading
The amount of a lens's peripheral shading directly offsets the advantage of its widest apertures.
Unfortunately, wide apertures and wide angles usually result in strong peripheral shading. I saved this requirement for last because my strategy is usually to deal with whatever the lens delivers.
Stopping down the aperture decreases peripheral shading, but a higher ISO setting is required to offset that change. The higher ISO setting results in increased noise throughout the entire image. So, consider a balanced approach if stopping down for this reason.
Because night sky post-processing generally involves increasing contrast, uncorrected peripheral shading results in very dark corners. Therefore, correcting most or all of the vignetting during RAW image processing is recommended, and increased noise in the image periphery is the end result.
The Ultimate Night Sky Lens is Also the Ultimate Northern Lights Lens
A good northern lights show is considerably brighter than the Milky Way. However, dancing northern lights can move fast, meaning a substantially shorter exposure is required to avoid smearing of the light. Thus, the same attributes needed by a Milky Way lens are needed for photographing the aurora borealis.
Without further ado, here are my recommendations. The first three lenses are usually in my bag when chasing the Milky Way.
The Best Sony Astrophotography Lenses
Awesome Image Quality, Great Build Quality, Ultra-Wide Aperture, G Master Build
While this lens's 24mm focal length may not be eye-opening and may already be covered in your general-purpose zoom lens, the f/1.4 aperture should garner your attention. As I write this recommendation, I consider the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens my ultimate astrophotography lens. The 24mm focal length is very commonly used, and the image quality this lens creates is outstanding. This compact lens is reasonably priced, especially for its performance.
2. Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens
Outstanding Corner-to-Corner Infinity Image Quality, Ultra-Wide Aperture, Relatively Affordable, Beautifully Designed
Sigma marketing was clear about this lens being designed for astrophotography, and it delivers superbly in that regard.
The 20mm focal length is a great choice for photographing the night sky, allowing a foreground and the stars to all be in sharp focus while filling a high percentage of the frame with the Milky Way, and this lens delivers sharp stars from corner to corner. The f/1.4 aperture yields bright images without motion blur at reasonable ISO settings for low noise results. Sigma's exceptional quality control ensures that every lens performs well, and the high-quality build ensures that these lenses will continue to for a long time.
Extremely Wide-Angle Focal Length, Compact Size, Light Weight, Ultra-Wide Aperture, GM Professional Grade Build, Great Image Quality
The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM is one of those lenses that make one grateful to be photographing at this time. Those photographing architecture, real estate, large products, or other subjects in a confined space, those photographing the great outdoors, including landscape and night sky photography, and those who simply want to get creative with ultra-wide-angles will want the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM Lens in their kit.
Ultra-wide Angle, Great Image Quality, Wide f/1.8 Aperture, Modest Price
The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G Lens is like a smaller version of the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens. While the 24 optically outperforms the 20 by a small amount, the 20 is smaller, lighter, and less expensive. The 20's aperture is 2/3-stop narrower, and its price is about 2/3 as much — making it a bargain.
5. Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM Lens
Outstanding Image Quality, Exceptionally-Wide Angles of View, G Master Build
While not inexpensive, this lens delivers incredible image quality, despite the extremely-wide angles of view it avails. With f/2.8 available, this Sony lens is a great choice for photographing the night sky, along with low light events. Take this lens to the most beautiful locations, and it is sure to enable you to bring home exceptional results. Note that this does not accept front filters.
6. Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II Lens
Compact, Lightweight, Optically Impressive, G Master Build an Performance
Camera manufacturers typically offer high-end f/2.8 zoom lenses covering wide angles, the general-purpose range, and a telephoto focal length range. These three lenses tend to be the most sought-after and popular models in the lineup, and with the FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II Lens, Sony completed version II updates to their flagship f/2.8 GM zoom lens trio.
Smaller and lighter are concepts we all appreciate, and with the FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II Lens, Sony claimed the title to the world's smallest, lightest full-frame AF wide-angle zoom lens.
While smaller and lighter are welcomed traits, the version II updates offer far more, including high-performance AF and impressive optical quality.
"Designed to rival the primes, this zoom's optics have been revamped to provide even greater resolution, clarity, and bokeh quality." [Sony]
Those photographing the night sky will find the f/2.8 aperture especially advantageous.
7. Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens
Outstanding Image Quality, Ultra-Wide Angles of View, Relatively Affordable, Beautifully Designed
While this lens's focal length range is not as dramatic as the Sony equivalent, the cost is not as dramatic either. The Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens impresses with the image quality it delivers, the build and aesthetic qualities are excellent, and AF is fast and quiet. Note that this does not accept front filters.
8. Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD Lens
An Exceptional Bargain
The Tamron 17-28 Di III lens provides professional-grade image quality in a compact, lightweight package with a very low price. There is little this lens lacks aside from switches.
9. Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens
Ultra-High-Performing General-Purpose Zoom Lens
Because of its remarkable capabilities and features, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens is the go-to lens for many, including the most advanced professionals. The most-needed focal length range is fully covered, with outstanding image quality included.
The wide f/2.8 max aperture advantages this lens for stopping action in low light, making it an ideal choice for photographing action sports and low light events. The f/2.8 aperture is also useful for creating a strong background blur, allowing the subject to be isolated from a distracting background.
This lens's autofocus system performs excellently, and the wide aperture enables reliable low light AF performance.
The Sony "GM" build quality ensures enduring performance from this relatively compact and lightweight lens.
Specifically regarding astrophotography, sometimes you want to use your general purpose lens to photography the night sky, and the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens is the best choice.
Visit the Sony Lens Recommendations page for more lens advice.
