Wide Angle Lens - opinions please

Quindere wrote:

Photearoa wrote:

Hi all

Here's my dilemma:

I'm currently working on upping my photo game. I haven't long been in manual mode (few months after years of auto) so am still getting to grips and learning as I go.

I have a trip coming up and want to have a go at some night skies and think my current lens set up might not be the best.

Usually, I mostly take landscapes or photos of my family. I'm fairly happy with my 23mm or 18-55 kit lens. I would at some point like to add the 50mm to my kit but for now think I need a wide angle.

I can see the benefit of the 10-24 in the flexibility but the F4 seems not great? Also think I'd prefer the sharpness of a prime.

The XF 10-24mm from 10mm up to 18mm is sharp enough, the difference between 16mm and 14mm, both at F4 is negligible if you see the image from a "comfortable" distance. Beyond 18mm the wide zoom sharpness falls down, comparable with the primes. The zoom issue for your needs is that F4 is not good enough to night sky or astrophotography.

16mm 1.4 - I've read great things about this and think the wide 1.4 will be great for night skies, but is 16mm wide enough to get the best results?

The XF 16mm at F1.4 has many CA, that you need to stop it down to at least F2 for night sky photos. The Astro Lens rate at F2=1.875 and at F2.8=956. For any other kind of photography this lens is all they say about it.

14mm 2.8 - Is the extra width better to have and trade off the on the F1.4 from the 16mm..

The XF 14mm F2.8 has an Astro Lens rate at F2.8=1.032 and has CA well controlled at F2.8

I know there are samyang wide options but I don't want to add manual focus into the mix right now. While that's probably not a problem when shooting night sky I can't see me using it for anything else as I am still focusing on Fstops/iso/SS.. could do without another thing to think about lol

The Samy/Roki 12mm F2 has the best Astro Lens rate at F2=2.176 and has CA well controlled at F2. At 12mm the manual focus is not really a great issue. 12mm F5.6 you get focus from 1,5m to infinity. For night sky you already have to focus to infinity anyway.

Anyone got any advice that would help me. Have researched the hell out of each lens but would really value some more practical advice.

thanks

IMHO. If your first need/desire is for night sky/astrophotography, the best option is Samy/Roki 12mm F2 (now on sale for US$ 260).

If your first need/desire is for arquitectural (read great monuments), interiors, landscapes and cityscapes you will be very well served with both XF 14mm F2.8 (lightweight for US$ 899,00 - not on sale now) and XF 10-24mm F4 OIS (most versatile now on sale for US$ 749,00).

If your first need/desire is low light situations and group portraits I'll bet in the XF 16mm F1.4 (now on sale for US$ 749,00).

But take in count that all three lenses can be useful enough for all kind of photos listed but with the drawbacks of each one. Only you can answer what is your first goal and make the right choice.

Hope could help you.

sorry for novice question but what's your CA abbreviation?

You have got me thinking now that I could spend the same amount and get a Samyang 12 for astro and the fuji 10-24 for everything else for the same price pretty much as the 16.. lol.