Astrophotography offers a captivating glimpse into the vast expanse of the night sky, revealing cosmic wonders and celestial phenomena. Fisheye lenses, with their unique curved perspective, add an extra dimension to astrophotography, allowing us to capture immersive panoramic views of the celestial dome.
In this article, we will explore some of the best fisheye lenses available for astrophotography and explain their features in simple terms.
1. Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 UMC Fisheye II
The Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 UMC Fisheye II lens is a popular choice among astrophotographers. With its ultra-wide 8mm focal length, it provides a 180-degree field of view, capturing the entire night sky in a single frame.
The lens features a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, allowing for excellent low-light performance and shorter exposure times. Its multi-coated optics minimize ghosting and flare, ensuring crisp and vibrant images of stars, the Milky Way, and other celestial objects.
2. Nikon AF Fisheye-NIKKOR 16mm f/2.8D
The Nikon AF Fisheye-NIKKOR 16mm f/2.8D lens is designed specifically for full-frame Nikon DSLRs. With its 16mm focal length, it offers a wide 180-degree angle of view, capturing a vast expanse of the night sky.
The lens has a maximum aperture of f/2.8, providing good low-light performance and allowing for faster shutter speeds. Its robust build quality, sharpness, and color rendition make it a favored choice among astrophotographers seeking to capture immersive views of the cosmos.
3. Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
The Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens is a versatile fisheye zoom lens compatible with both full-frame and APS-C Canon DSLRs. It offers a unique focal length range from 8mm to 15mm, allowing for various compositions and degrees of distortion.
The lens provides a 180-degree diagonal angle of view at 8mm, capturing a completely circular image. Zooming to 15mm provides a 180-degree diagonal angle of view in the rectangular format. Its L-series optics, sharpness, and robust construction make it a reliable choice for astrophotographers seeking creative possibilities.
4. Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye
The Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye lens is compatible with both full-frame and APS-C cameras, making it a versatile choice for astrophotographers. With its 15mm focal length, it offers a wide 180-degree diagonal angle of view, capturing expansive nightscapes and celestial wonders.
The lens features a maximum aperture of f/2.8, providing good low-light capabilities and allowing for shorter exposure times. Its sharpness, color rendition, and durable build quality make it a popular option for astrophotography enthusiasts.
5. Samyang 12mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS Fisheye
The Samyang 12mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS Fisheye lens offers an ultra-wide 180-degree diagonal angle of view, making it an excellent choice for astrophotography. With its 12mm focal length, it captures a wide field of stars and celestial phenomena, creating a visually stunning and immersive experience.
The lens features a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, enabling good low-light performance and shorter exposure times. Its excellent image quality, sharpness, and affordability make it a compelling option for astrophotographers seeking to expand their creative horizons.
Conclusion
Fisheye lenses provide a unique perspective in astrophotography, capturing immersive panoramic views of the night sky. The Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 UMC Fisheye II, Nikon AF Fisheye-NIKKOR 16mm f/2.8D, Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM, Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye, and Samyang 12mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS Fisheye are among the best fisheye lenses available.
Each lens offers an ultra-wide field of view, unique distortion characteristics, and excellent image quality, allowing astrophotographers to capture breathtaking panoramic shots of the celestial dome.
Choose a fisheye lens that suits your creative vision and embark on a captivating journey to explore and photograph the wonders of the cosmos.
