This Incredible Lens Let Me Take Amazing Star Photos

CNET’s key takeawaysSigma’s Artwork 14mm f1.8 DG HSM is a quick, wide-angle lens that may take superb photographs of the night time sky.It is pretty heavy at 1,120 grams (2.5 kilos) however compact for what it’s.The f1.8 aperture enables you to take distinctive wide-angle photographs with a shallow depth of subject.Taking photographs of the sky at night time is likely one of the most difficult kinds of pictures. There’s not a variety of gentle accessible (clearly, it is night time), and to get actually epic pictures, you need a actually wide-angle lens. Quick lenses aren’t arduous to seek out, and neither are wide-angle lenses, however quick wide-angle lenses are far rarer. Uncommon, and sometimes actually costly. The Sigma ART 14mm f1.8 DG HSM is not low-cost by any stretch, however it’s cheap contemplating how briskly and vast it’s. I traveled for years with a predecessor of this lens, the Artwork 12-24mm f4 DG HSM. That lens was superb for a lot of issues, together with the interiors of submarines and different tight areas. Whereas f4 is not gradual, it is not notably quick both. I used to be in a position to get some cool photographs of the Milky Manner and star-filled skies, however none I actually liked. On a latest journey to Loss of life Valley Nationwide Park within the campervan I constructed, I rented the 14mm f1.8 and oh my. My expertise with the Artwork 14mm f1.8 DG HSM You may see one million miles tonight, however you possibly can’t get very far. Geoffrey Morrison/CNETOne of the large challenges with astrophotography is that you do not have the luxurious of time such as you do in different low-light conditions. The Earth is spinning, in spite of everything, so in order for you pinpoints of starlight, it’s worthwhile to restrict your shutter velocity. For a wide-angle lens like my previous Artwork 12-24mm f4, 30 seconds was pushing it. The five hundred Rule says 41 seconds was the max for this lens, however I discovered that to be too lengthy. Worse, most lenses can look gentle when vast open (at f4 in that case), particularly on the edges of the body. So that you usually need to step down just a few steps, which suggests your shutter time must be even longer to get the identical quantity of sunshine. Which is to say, it is a tremendous steadiness and one which I by no means fairly perfected with the Artwork 12-24mm f4.  Visually, the Artwork 14mm f1.8 seems to be much like my 12-24mm f4. It is a fairly large lens, practically as large because the f4, and weighs a beefy 1,120 grams. On prime is a distance scale with a depth of subject indicator. It isn’t usually it’s worthwhile to fear about depth of subject with such a wide-angle lens. The autofocus is not nice, however for astrophotography, the digital camera is on a tripod, and there is a large guide focus ring to assist make easy changes. Whereas the entrance factor bulges outward, there are not less than wings to keep away from some disasters. You will need to watch out, although. A motorized star tracker may help you get nice pictures of stars with lesser lenses, however as a result of they transfer with the sky, you possibly can’t additionally get Earth and something on it within the photograph. Geoffrey Morrison/CNETAs I discussed above, I traveled for years with the f4 and let me let you know, you are at all times going to note its weight. In your bag, on the digital camera, switching lenses — it is a drag. It principally doubles the load of any digital camera it is connected to. So, pretty much as good because the 14mm f1.8 is, that is certainly one of my predominant causes I might hesitate including it to my equipment. I additionally do not do as many photograph excursions as I used to, so I  haven’t got as a lot want for such a specialised lens. Plus, all prime lenses are much less versatile than an excellent zoom lens, which is ok, as every has its makes use of. Even so, a 14mm lens has a really distinctive look and it is not as effectively suited to as many conditions as, say, a 35mm or 50mm lens could be. In the event you’re not aware of ultrawide lenses like this, every little thing seems to be kind of such as you shot it with a GoPro. Manner higher high quality than a GoPro, however that is the aesthetic. It isn’t essentially a nasty factor, simply one thing to think about. It is also not weatherproofed in any respect. The specs Supposed sensor dimension: Full frameField of view: 114.2 degreesMinimum focusing distance: 10.6 inchesDimensions: 5 inches tall, 3.8 inches in diameter (at entrance lens)Weight: 1,120g/2.5lbsMount: Canon EF, Leica L-Mount, Nikon F, Sigma SA, Sony E The 14mm f1.8 is a heavy lens, however not fairly as massive because it appears. Right here it is mounted to my Canon R6. Notice that the EF-to-RF adapter in between will increase the obvious dimension. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET
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CNET’s shopping for recommendation As a lot as I like this lens and am blown away by its efficiency, I will be the primary to confess it is not for everybody. On one hand, there are solely a handful of quick, vast lenses just like the 14mm f1.8 and none that I do know of which are as quick, as vast and price what the Sigma does. However, $1,599 is some huge cash for a lens that most individuals will not often use. Nonetheless, if you already know you’ll use it usually, it is nice! I want I had the house (and cash) so as to add it to my equipment.  Geoffrey Morrison/CNETThe Sigma Artwork 14mm F1.8 DG HSM is obtainable for all full-frame lens mounts, together with Canon EF, Leica L-Mount, Nikon F, Sony E and Sigma’s personal SA. Whereas the lens remains to be accessible new as of this writing, it appears Sigma is discontinuing it for some mounts, together with Canon and Nikon. Thankfully, it has been accessible for just a few years, so there are some used choices on KEH and MPB. In the event you go that route, take a look at our information for purchasing used digital camera gear. In the event you’re headed someplace with darkish skies, you may also do what I did and hire it for every week from Lens Leases. Along with masking cameras and show tech, Geoff does photograph essays about cool museums and different stuff, together with nuclear submarines, plane carriers, medieval castles and epic 10,000-mile highway journeys. Additionally, take a look at Funds Journey for Dummies, his journey e book and his bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines. You may comply with him on Instagram and YouTube.