NX3000 Lens on the Night Sky

The most common are Samyang 12mm, and Samsung NX 16mm, but I don't know much about the subject, in general you need something wide, and fast (apperture wise).

I've used the Samyang/Rokinon 12mm f2 on both a Sony NEX and my current Samsung NX300, it is a superb lens that is sharp wide open and very affordable as far as that sort of lens goes.  Manual focus for infinity can be a little tricky as the infinity mark isn't a guarantee and there isn't a hard stop so best bet is to use the focus magnification on a bright star and adjust until the fuzzy dot comes into focus.  Once you've established the true infinity point if it is different than the lens, a little bit of glow in the dark paint is handy.  I have been continually impressed with this lens and use it for milky way photos at f2 with good results.  My only criticism (and it's a pretty weak one at that) is that 12mm can be a little too wide for some situations, but the distortion isn't too bad and it can be cropped with good results.

I haven't used the Samsung ultra wide zoom but I understand some have had problems with the mount breaking.  I haven't seen one in person for comparison but I can say the Samyang seems quite durable and I haven't had any reason to doubt that it is built to last.

You mean the 12-24? I use it for some time now, and still works (also, it was lost in the post between southern Europe and Canada for 3 months).

It is an excellent "cheap" ultra wide zoom, very sharp wide open and the zoom range (18-36mm equiv) is very useful, but the wide open apperture is 4f, so the 12mm/2f  has an advantage on that.

I haven't heard any negative comments on the image quality, but I do recall hearing some accounts of the mount breaking which is the only reason I mentioned that.  I think if the OP is primarily wanting to get shots of the milky way, the 12mm f2 is the only way to go, the brighter the better.

which would you choose you?

Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC

Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS

Samyang 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS

the last two are not all the same lens but another brand?

thx

markyboy81 wrote:

KennyHO wrote:

which would you choose you?

Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC

Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS

Samyang 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS

the last two are not all the same lens but another brand?

thx

Last 2 are the same lens. I went for the 12mm but I've yet to try it out for astrophotography, though I've heard it's one of the best ones for that.

I am using the 14mm in Canon cameras, nothing to do with the 12mm.

For crop sensors the 12mm is a must. I do not have it ( I am covered somehow with the 12-24 zoom and the 10mm fisheye), but if I found a good offer I am definitely buying this one.

It is the same lens, Bower is another name, and there are a few more. Same lens though.

Kisaha wrote:

markyboy81 wrote:

KennyHO wrote:

which would you choose you?

Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC

Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS

Samyang 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS

the last two are not all the same lens but another brand?

thx

Last 2 are the same lens. I went for the 12mm but I've yet to try it out for astrophotography, though I've heard it's one of the best ones for that.

I am using the 14mm in Canon cameras, nothing to do with the 12mm.

For crop sensors the 12mm is a must. I do not have it ( I am covered somehow with the 12-24 zoom and the 10mm fisheye), but if I found a good offer I am definitely buying this one.

It is the same lens, Bower is another name, and there are a few more. Same lens though.

OK, so the 12 mm lens is even fisheye? It is a big difference between F/2.8 and f/2.0?

I buy Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS ? ....better choice ?

KennyHO wrote:

Kisaha wrote:

markyboy81 wrote:

KennyHO wrote:

which would you choose you?

Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC

Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS

Samyang 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS

the last two are not all the same lens but another brand?

thx

Last 2 are the same lens. I went for the 12mm but I've yet to try it out for astrophotography, though I've heard it's one of the best ones for that.

I am using the 14mm in Canon cameras, nothing to do with the 12mm.

For crop sensors the 12mm is a must. I do not have it ( I am covered somehow with the 12-24 zoom and the 10mm fisheye), but if I found a good offer I am definitely buying this one.

It is the same lens, Bower is another name, and there are a few more. Same lens though.

OK, so the 12 mm lens is even fisheye? It is a big difference between F/2.8 and f/2.0?

I buy Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS ? ....better choice ?

How much did you got that?

Yes, Rokinon is just fine, these are all the same lenses. Samyang, Bower, Rokinon, it doesn't matter. For mirrorless I consider the 12mm being a better buy than the 14mm (which is huge by the way, for a mirrorless at least), and slower (2.8 to 2) and less wide (21mm to 18mm, quite a difference).

No, the 12 is not fish eye, but I have the 12-24, which is ultra sharp at 12mm and wide open (4f) and the fish eye is obviously wider than 12mm and brings something different to wide photography (astro as well, because it reminds spheres, planets, and the such), while it is the widest for NX500 4K crop.