Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
Transcript of Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
1/26
Use this link to SHARE THIS DOC:
goo.gl/iU13yN
Lens Focal Length (mm)
RelativeAperture(f/number)
Clear ApertureDiameter
(mm)
ApertureArea
(mm^2)
AngularArea
(radians^2)
FF SuggestedExposure Time
(seconds) =500/Focal
Length
APS-C SuggestedExposure Time
(seconds) =360/Focal Length
Astro LensScore Mirrorless and Rangefinder
7mm/2.8 7 2.8 2.5 5 3.55 71 51 1,246
7.5mm/3.5 7.5 3.5 2.1 4 3.31 67 48 796
8mm/2.8 8 2.8 2.9 6 3.09 63 45 1,237
Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 II
8mm/3.5 8 3.5 2.3 4 3.09 63 45 792
10mm/2.8 10 2.8 3.6 10 2.36 50 36 1,184
10mm/3.5 10 3.5 2.9 6 2.36 50 36 758
11mm/2.8 11 2.8 3.9 12 2.08 45 33 1,149
12mm/1.6 12 1.6 7.5 44 1.85 42 30 3,400
12mm/2.0 12 2 6.0 28 1.85 42 30 2,176
Rokinon 12mm/2.0*12mm/2.8 12 2.8 4.3 14 1.85 42 30 1,110
Zeiss Touit 12mm/2.8
12mm/4.5 12 4.5 2.7 6 1.85 42 30 430
14mm/2.8 14 2.8 5.0 20 1.47 36 26 1,032
15mm/3.5 15 3.5 4.3 14 1.32 33 24 636
15mm/2.8 15 2.8 5.4 23 1.32 33 24 994
16mm/1.4 16 1.4 11.4 103 1.19 31 23 3,826
16mm/2.8 16 2.8 5.7 26 1.19 31 23 956
16mm/2.0 16 2 8.0 50 1.19 31 23 1,875
16mm/3.5 16 3.5 4.6 16 1.19 31 23 612
17mm f/1.8 17 1.8 9.4 70 1.08 29 21 2,228
17mm/2.8 17 2.8 6.1 29 1.08 29 21 921
17mm/4.0 17 4 4.3 14 1.08 29 21 451
18mm/3.5 18 3.5 5.1 21 0.98 28 20 568
18mm/2.8 18 2.8 6.4 32 0.98 28 20 887
18mm/2.0 18 2 9.0 64 0.98 28 20 1,738
18mm/1.8 18 1.8 10.0 79 0.98 28 20 2,146
19mm/2.8 19 2.8 6.8 36 0.90 26 19 855
Sigma 19mm/2.8
20mm/2.8 20 2.8 7.1 40 0.82 25 18 824
20mm/1.8 20 1.8 11.1 97 0.82 25 18 1,994
21mm/1.8 21 1.8 11.7 107 0.76 24 17 1,924
Voigtlander 21mm f/1.8 Ultro
21mm/1.4 21 1.4 15.0 177 0.76 24 17 3,180
Leica 21mm/1.4 Summilux M
22mm/2.0 22 2 11.0 95 0.70 23 16 1,505
23mm/1.4 23 1.4 16.4 212 0.64 22 16 2,967
23mm/2.0 23 2 11.5 104 0.64 22 16 1,454
24mm/2.8 24 2.8 8.6 58 0.60 21 15 717
24mm/2.0 24 2 12.0 113 0.60 21 15 1,406
24mm/1.8 24 1.8 13.3 140 0.60 21 15 1,736
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
2/26
Recommended Lenses
Third Party DSLR Canon Nikon Fuji Micro 4/3 Sony
Zuiko 7-14mm/2.8
Rokinon 8mm/3.5 Fisheye
Rokinon 10mm/2.8
Tokina 11-16mm/2.8*
Hyperprime 12mm/1.6
Olympus 12mm/2.0
Rokinon 14mm/2.8* Nikkor 14-24mm/2.8G Fujinon XF 14mm/2.8*
Sigma 15mm/2.8 Canon EF 15mm/2.8
Fujinon XF 16mm/1.4
Sony 16mm/2.8 - E Moun
Rokinon 16mm/2.0*
Olympus 17mm/1.8Canon EF-S 17-55mm/2.8
Fujinon XF 18mm/2.0*
Sigma 18-35mm/1.8*
Sony 20mm/2.8 - E Moun
Canon EF-M 22mm f/2.0
Fujinon XF 23mm/1.4
Fuji X100s 23mm/2.0 Sony 24mm/2.0 - A Moun
Sony 24mm/1.8 - E Moun
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
3/26
Lenses Ian Norman UsesCurrently (Canon EOS6D) Lenses Ian Norman Uses (Fuji X)
Rokinon 14mm/2.8 Fujinon XF 14mm/2.8
t
t
Canon EF-M 22mm f/2.0
Fujinon XF 23mm/1.4
t
t
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
4/26
24mm/1.4 24 1.4 17.1 231 0.60 21 15 2,869
27mm/2.8 27 2.8 9.6 73 0.48 19 13 652
28mm/2.8 28 2.8 10.0 79 0.45 18 13 632
28mm/1.8 28 1.8 15.6 190 0.45 18 13 1,530
35mm/2.8 35 2.8 12.5 123 0.30 14 10 520
35mm/2.0 35 2 17.5 241 0.30 14 10 1,02035mm/1.8 35 1.8 19.4 297 0.30 14 10 1,259
35mm/1.4 35 1.4 25.0 491 0.30 14 10 2,082
35mm/1.2 35 1.2 29.2 668 0.30 14 10 2,834 Voigtlander 35mm f/1.2 II
40mm/1.4 40 1.4 28.6 641 0.23 13 9 1,844 Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 Nokt
40mm/1.7 40 1.7 23.5 435 0.23 13 9 1,251
40mm/2.8 40 2.8 14.3 160 0.23 13 9 461
50mm/2.0 50 2 25.0 491 0.15 10 7 734
50mm/1.8 50 1.8 27.8 606 0.15 10 7 906
50mm/1.4 50 1.4 35.7 1,002 0.15 10 7 1,497
50mm/1.2 50 1.2 41.7 1,364 0.15 10 7 2,038
50mm/0.95 50 0.95 52.6 2,176 0.15 10 7 3,252 Leica 50mm/0.95 Noctilux M
55mm/1.4 55 1.4 39.3 1,212 0.12 9 7 1,368
56mm/1.2 56 1.2 46.7 1,710 0.12 9 6 1,830
70mm/2.8 70 2.8 25.0 491 0.08 7 5 271
85mm/1.8 85 1.8 47.2 1,751 0.05 6 4 542
85mm/1.4 85 1.4 60.7 2,895 0.05 6 4 897
85mm/1.2 85 1.2 70.8 3,941 0.05 6 4 1,220100mm/2.0 100 2 50.0 1,963 0.04 5 4 374
135mm/2.0 135 2 67.5 3,578 0.02 4 3 278
200mm/2.8 200 2.8 71.4 4,007 0.01 3 2 96
200mm/2.0 200 2 100.0 7,854 0.01 3 2 188
300mm/2.8 300 2.8 107.1 9,016 0.00 2 1 64
*Highly Recommended!
Cameras and Lenses in my current kit
Canon 6D Fuji X-T1CanonEOS M Sony a7S
Rokinon14mm/2.8
Fujinon XF14mm/2.8
CanonEF-M22mm f/2.0
Rokinon14mm/2.8
Rokinon24mm/1.4
Fujinon XF23mm/1.4
Rokinon12mm/2.0
Rokinon24mm/1.4
Sigma50mm f/1.4
ArtFujinon XF35mm/1.4
Rokinon35mm/1.4
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
5/26
Rokinon 24mm/1.4*
Canon EF 35mm f/2.0 ISNikkor 35mm f/1.8G
Sigma 35mm/1.4 Art* Fujinon XF 35mm/1.4
n
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Nikkor 50mm 1.8G
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art* Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G/D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L
Mitakon 50mm f/0.95
Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4*
Fujinon XF 56mm/1.2
Rokinon 85mm f/1.4
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
6/26
Rokinon 24mm/1.4
Fujinon XF 35mm/1.4
Sigma 50mm f/1.4
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
7/26
Rokinon 12mm/2.0
Voigtlander40mm f/1.4Nokton
Rokinon 8mm f/2.8Fisheye II
Click here for an interactive exposure calculator that will also output the astro lens score.
The "Astro Lens Score" is a number derived by multiplying the values of various lens/camera traits such as angle of view, clearaperture size and maximum exposure time without star trails. It's an arbitrary number and is only useful for comparing lenses toeach other for the purposes of taking untracked astrophotos. Calculations use the sensor area of an APS-C sensor but the shuttertime suggestions of a full frame lens. Lenses with higher ratings will be able to make higher signal to noise ratio photographs directlyproportional to their rating numbers. In other words, a lens that scores 2000 would be capable of making a photograph with twice asmuch signal versus a lens with a score of 1000. This chart is purposed merely as a way to more easily compare one lens to anotherwithout having to swirl your brain around with f-stops and angles of view.
For example: A 24mm/1.4 scores about 2800 while a 24mm/2.0 scores about 1400. Based on these numbers, the f/1.4 lens shouldbe able to collect approximately 2x more light (1 stop) than the f/2.0 lens which is what we would expect just by comparingf/numbers.
Theses scores do not account for noise and thus are NOT directly comparable across differing sensor sizes or different cameras.Differing cameras have differences in sensor quantum efficiency and these calculations only assume a single sensor size andexposure length. Keep in mind that these scores also do not take into account the other aspects of a lens's performance such asresolution, astigmatism, chromatic, coma, spherical aberration, distortion, build quality etc.
If you wish to compare lenses across different sensor sizes, check out the other Sheet Tab below called "Signal to Noise RatioScore"
Suggested exposure times are the maximum recommeded exposure duration without star trails. The number may vary from what'sshown here depending on your sensor resolution or where in the sky you are pointing your camera. This number is a good startingpoint, but check for star trails and adjust. You want to use the longest exposure you can with out star trails to maximize your lightgathering.
Rokinon, Samyang and Bower lenses are all identical lenses made by the same Korean manufacturer: Samyang
About the product links in this doc: I use affiliate links to the respective products that I mention on this page. If you decide to buy oneof these products, consider using the links in this article to support Lonely Speck. It won't cost you anything extra but Lonely Speckgets a small commission to support the website.
Copyright 2013 Ian Norman, Creative Commons, Attribution, Sharealike, International 4.0
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
8/26
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
9/26
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
10/26
Scores Amazon.com B&H PhotoReviewSources/Notes
Lens
FocalLength(mm)
MinUsable
f/#(FF)
LonelySpecMark
(FF)
Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 24 1.4 100% Check Price LensTipRokinon 35mm f/1.4 35 1.4 99% Check Price LensTip
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art 35 1.4 99% LensTip
Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 55 1.4 97% LensTip
Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 85 1.4 94% LensTip
Sony A Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZA 85 1.4 94% LensTip
Nikkor AF-S 20mm f/1.8G ED 20 1.8 93% photography life
Sony A Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm f/2 ZA SSM 24 2 90% Kurt Munger
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art 50 2 87% LensTipNikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.8G 85 1.8 87% LensTip
Sony A Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 ZA 135 1.8 84% Kurt Munger
Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM 100 2 83%
Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM 135 2 81% LensTip
Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM 20 2.8 81% LensTip
Sigma 20mm f/1.8 20 2.8 81%
Canon 24mm f/1.4L II 24 2.8 81%
Nikkor AF-S 24mm f/1.4G ED 24 2.8 81%
Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G IF-ED 24 2.8 81%
Sony A Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM 24 2.8 81%
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM 24 2.8 81%
Nikkor AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED 17 2.8 81%
Sony A Fish-Eye 16mm f/2.8 16 2.8 80%
Sony A Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM 16 2.8 80%
Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye 15 2.8 80%
Sony FE 28mm f/2 28 2.8 80% Not Yet Released
Nikkor AF-S 28mm f/1.8G 28 2.8 80%Nikkor AF-S 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED 28 2.8 80%
Sony A 28-75mm f/2.8 SAM 28 2.8 80%
Sony A 28mm f/2.8 28 2.8 80%
Canon 28mm f/1.8 USM 28 2.8 80%
Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G IF-ED 14 2.8 80%
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 14 2.8 80%
Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 14 2.8 80%
Sony Zeiss Distagon T* FE 1.4/35mm ZA 35 2.8 79% Not Yet Released
Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.4G 35 2.8 79% LensTip
Sony A 35mm f/1.4 G 35 2.8 79% LensTip
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
11/26
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 L 35 2.8 79% LensTip
Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM 35 2.8 79%
Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G 35 2.8 79% LensTip
Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G 35 2.8 79%
Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 2.8/35mm ZA 35 2.8 79%
Canon 35mm f/2.0 IS 35 2.8 79%Sony Zeiss FE 35mm f/2.8 35 2.8 79%
Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f/1.7 35 2.8 79%
Zeiss Loxia 35mm f/2 Biogon T* 35 2.8 79%
Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 Fisheye 12 2.8 79%
Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 40mm f/2.8G 40 2.8 79%
Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM 40 2.8 79%
Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 Nokton 40 2.8 79%
Voigtlander Heliar 40mm f/2.8 VM / E 40 2.8 79%
Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8 45 2.8 78%
Nikkor AF-S 200mm f/2G ED VR II 200 2 78%
Nikkor AF-S 200mm f/2G VR IF-ED 200 2 78%
Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM 200 2 78%
Rokinon 50mm f/1.4 50 2.8 78% Not Yet Released
Mitakon 50mm f/0.95 50 2.8 78% No Reviews Yet
Sony A Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZA SSM 50 2.8 78% Kurt Munger
Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G 50 2.8 78% LensTip
Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G 50 2.8 78%Sony A Macro 50mm f/2.8 50 2.8 78%
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM 50 2.8 78%
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 50 2.8 78%
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 50 2.8 78%
Voigtlander 50mm f/1.1 Nokton 50 2.8 78%
Zeiss Loxia 50mm f/2 Planar T* 50 2.8 78%
Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 1.8/55mm ZA 55 2.8 77%
Nikkor AF-S 58mm f/1.4G 58 2.8 77%
Nikkor AF-S Micro 60mm f/2.8G IF-ED 60 2.8 77%
Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II 70 2.8 76%
Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G VR IF-ED 70 2.8 76%
Sony A 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM 70 2.8 76%
Sony A 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM II 70 2.8 76%
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM 70 2.8 76%
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM 70 2.8 76%
Nikkor AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D ED 80 2.8 75%
Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.4G 85 2.8 75%Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM 85 2.8 75% LensTip
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM 85 2.8 75%
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
12/26
Sony A 85mm f/2.8 SAM 85 2.8 75%
Canon 85mm f/1.2 85 2.8 75%
Canon EF 24-105 f/3.5-5.6 IS STM 21 3.5 74%
Nikkor AF-S 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED 18 3.5 74%
Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM 18 3.5 74%
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS 18 3.5 74%Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM 18 3.5 74%
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS 18 3.5 74%
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM 18 3.5 74%
Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G VR IF-ED 24 3.5 74%
Nikkor AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED 24 3.5 74%
Nikkor AF-S 2485mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR IF 24 3.5 74%
Sony A 24-105mm f/3.5-4.5 24 3.5 74%
Sony FE 3.5-6.3/24-240mm OSS 24 3.5 74%
Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM 24 3.5 74%
Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II 24 3.5 74%
Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 90 2.8 74%
Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR 28 3.5 74%
Sony FE 3.5-5.6/28-70mm OSS 28 3.5 74%
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM 28 3.5 74%
Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM 28 3.5 74%
Sony A Macro 100mm f/2.8 100 2.8 74%
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM 100 2.8 74%Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM 100 2.8 74%
Nikkor AF-S Micro 105mm f/2.8G VR IF-ED 105 2.8 73%
Sony A Smooth Trans Focus 135mm f/2.8 [T4.5] 135 2.8 72%
Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 Softfocus 135 2.8 72%
Sony A 20mm f/2.8 20 4 71% Kurt Munger
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM 24 4 71%
Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR 24 4 71%
Sony Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* FE 4/24-70mm ZA OSS 24 4 71%
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM 24 4 71%
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM 24 4 71%
Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM 24 4 71%
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM 17 4 71%
Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L 17 4 71%
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM 16 4 70%
Nikkor AF-S 16-35mm f/4G ED VR 16 4 70%
Sony Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 4/16-70mm ZA OSS 16 4 70%
Sony Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* FE 4/16-35mm ZA OSS 16 4 70%Canon 16-35mm f/4L 16 4 70%
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM 16 4 70%
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
13/26
Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 16 4 70%
Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM 28 4 70%
Sony FE PZ 4/28-135mm G OSS 28 4 70%
Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM 14 4 70%
Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 8 3.5 70%
Sony 10-18mm f/4 at 12mm/4 12 4 69% LensTipNikkor AF-S DX Micro 85mm f/3.5G ED VR 85 3.5 68%
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II 55 4 67%
Voigtlander Super Heliar 15mm/4.5 VM II 15 4.5 67%
Canon 8-15mm f/4L USM Fisheye 8 4 66%
Nikkor AF-I 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED 300 2.8 66%
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED II 300 2.8 66%
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II 300 2.8 66%
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/2.8G VR IF-ED 300 2.8 66%
Sony A 300mm f/2.8 G SSM 300 2.8 66%
Sony A 300mm f/2.8 G SSM II 300 2.8 66%
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II USM 300 2.8 66%
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 12 4.5 66%
Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/4G ED VR 70 4 66%
Sony A 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM 70 4 66%
Sony A 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM II 70 4 66%
Sony FE 4/70-200mm G OSS 70 4 66%
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM 70 4 66%Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM 70 4 66%
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM 70 4 66%
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM 70 4 66%
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III 75 4 65%
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM 75 4 65%
Nikkor AF-I 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED 400 2.8 64%
Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED II 400 2.8 64%
Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED 400 2.8 64%
Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR 400 2.8 64%
Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8G VR IF-ED 400 2.8 64%
Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM 400 2.8 64%
Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM 400 2.8 64%
Canon EF 180 f/3.5L Macro USM 180 3.5 63%
Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR IF-ED 70 4.5 63%
Sony A 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM 70 4.5 63%
Canon EF 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM 70 4.5 63%
Sony A 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 75 4.5 62%Nikkor AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR 80 4.5 62%
Voigtlander 21mm f/4 Color-Skopar 21 5.6 61%
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
14/26
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM 100 4.5 60%
Voigtlander Heliar 12mm f/5.6 12 5.6 60%
Nikkor AF-S 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II 200 4 59%
Nikkor AF-S 200-400mm f/4G VR IF-ED 200 4 59%
Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM 1.4x 200 4 59%
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D IF-ED 300 4 56%Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM 300 4 56%
Canon 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM 400 4 54%
Nikkor AF-I 500mm f/4D IF-ED 500 4 53%
Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4D IF-ED II 500 4 53%
Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4D IF-ED 500 4 53%
Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4G VR IF-ED 500 4 53%
Sony A 500mm f/4 G SSM 500 4 53%
Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM 500 4 53%
Nikkor AF-I 600mm f/4D IF-ED 600 4 51%Nikkor AF-S 600mm f/4D IF-ED II 600 4 51%
Nikkor AF-S 600mm f/4D IF-ED 600 4 51%
Nikkor AF-S 600mm f/4G VR IF-ED 600 4 51%
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM 600 4 51%
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM 400 5.6 45%
Nikkor AF-S 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR[N 1] 800 5.6 40%
Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM 800 5.6 40%
Sony A Reflex 500mm f/8 500 8 33%
*Lonely SpecMark is a scoring system that I'm currentlydeveloping to gauge the real-world performance ofactual camera lenses relative to each other, all based onmy experience with these lenses, directly or indirectly.This takes into accout the signal-to-noise ratio capabilityof the lens for untracked astrophotography andcompensates for the lenses "minimum usable f/number"
which is currently loosely defined as the lowest f/numberthat I would recommend using that particular lens. Somelenses exhibit aberration at their wide-open f/numbersand thuse need to be stopped down to a higher f/numberin order to reduce those aberrations to an acceptablelevel. The amount of stopping down needed until a lensis acceptable is a little subjective and I'm still creating astandard by which each lens's minimum usable f/numberis determined.
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
15/26
Lenses that are highlighted in green have beenpersonally tested by Lonely Speck, lenses that arehighlighted in yellow have not been tested but havesubstantial evidence that support its rating and lensesthat are not highlighted have not yet been tested and arebased on speculation only. Some lenses listed here
havent even been released yet so take these numberswith a grain of salt.Lonely SpecMark Scores are a decibel scaledpercentage of the signal to noise ratio capability of a lensrelative to the highest scoring lens which at this time isthe Rokinon 24mm f/1.4. In general, the shorter andfaster (lower f/number) the lens, the better the result onthis scale.
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
16/26
Lens
FocalLength(mm)
MinUsable
f/#(APS-C)
LonelySpecMark(APS-C)
Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 24 1.4 87%
Canon 24mm f/1.4L II 24 1.4 87%
Sony Zeiss Distagon T* FE 1.4/35mm ZA 35 1.4 86%Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 35 1.4 86%
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art 35 1.4 86%
Sony A Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZA SSM 50 1.4 83%
Rokinon 50mm f/1.4 50 1.4 83%
Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 55 1.4 83%
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 18 1.8 81%
Nikkor AF-S 20mm f/1.8G ED 20 1.8 81%
Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* E 1.8/24mm ZA 24 1.8 80%Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.4G 85 1.4 80%
Sony A Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZA 85 1.4 80%
Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 85 1.4 80%
Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 12 2 79%
Fujinon XF 16mm f/1.4 R 16 2 79%
Rokinon 16mm f/2.0 16 2 79%
Sony E 1.8/35mm OSS 35 1.8 79%
Fujinon XF 18mm f/2.0 R 18 2 78%
Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM 22 2 78%
Fujinon XF 23mm f/1.4 R 23 2 78%
Fujifilm X100 23mm/2.0 23 2 78%
Nikkor AF-S 24mm f/1.4G ED 24 2 77%
Sony A Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm f/2 ZA SSM 24 2 77%
Sony FE 2/28mm 28 2 77%
Sony Zeiss FE 28mm f/2.0 28 2 77%
Nikkor AF-S 28mm f/1.8G 28 2 77%
Sony E 1.8/50mm OSS 50 1.8 76%Zeiss Touit Planar T* 32mm f/1.8 32 2 76%
Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 1.8/55mm ZA 55 1.8 76%
Sony Zeiss FE 55mm f/1.8 55 1.8 76%
Fujinon XF 35mm f/1.4 R 35 2 76%
Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G 35 2 76%
Zhongyi/Mitakon 35mm f/0.95 35 2 76%
Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.4G 35 2 76%
Sony A 35mm f/1.4 G 35 2 76%
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 L 35 2 76%
Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM 35 2 76%
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
17/26
Zhongyi/Mitakon 42.5mm f/1.2 42.5 2 74%
Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G 50 2 73%
Sony A 50mm f/1.4 50 2 73%
Mitakon 50mm f/0.95 50 2 73%
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art 50 2 73%
Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.8G 85 1.8 73%Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R 56 2 73%
Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R APD 56 2 73%
Pentax 35mm DA f/2.4 AL 35 2.4 70%
Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM 85 2 70%
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM 85 2 70%
Sony A Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 ZA 135 1.8 70%
Fujinon XF 90mm f/2.0 R 90 2 70%
Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8 R 14 2.8 69%
Pentax DA 14mm/2.8ED IF 14 2.8 69%Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G IF-ED 14 2.8 69%
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 14 2.8 69%
Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 14 2.8 69%
Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM 14 2.8 69%
Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye 15 2.8 69%
Zeiss Touit Distagon T* 12mm f/2.8 12 2.8 69%
Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8 12 2.8 69%
Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 Fisheye 12 2.8 69%Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R OIS WR 16 2.8 69%
Sony A DT 16-50mm f/2.8 SSM 16 2.8 69%
Sony E 2.8/16mm 16 2.8 69%
Pentax DA 16-50mm/2.8ED AL IF SDM 16 2.8 69%
Sony E 16mm f/2.8 16 2.8 69%
Sony A Fish-Eye 16mm f/2.8 16 2.8 69%
Sony A Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM 16 2.8 69%
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM 16 2.8 69%
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 II 11 2.8 69%
Tokina 11-20mm f/2.8 IF DX 11 2.8 69%
Nikkor AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED 17 2.8 69%
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM 17 2.8 69%
Nikkor AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED 17 2.8 69%
Nikkor AF DX Fisheye 10.5mm f/2.8G ED 10.5 2.8 69%
Fujinon XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS 18 2.8 69%
Rokinon 10mm f/2.8 10 2.8 69%
Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM 100 2 69%Sony E 2.8/20mm 20 2.8 69%
Sony E 20mm f/2.8 20 2.8 69%
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
18/26
Sony A 20mm f/2.8 20 2.8 69%
Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM 20 2.8 69%
Sigma 20mm f/1.8 20 2.8 69%
Leica Summilux 21mm f/1.4 21 2.8 69%
Voigtlander 21mm f/1.8 Ultron 21 2.8 69%
Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM 24 2.8 68%
Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Pancake 24 2.8 68%
Zhongyi/Mitakon 24mm f/1.7 24 2.8 68%
Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G IF-ED 24 2.8 68%
Sony A Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM 24 2.8 68%
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM 24 2.8 68%
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM 24 2.8 68%
Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 II Fisheye 8 2.8 68%
Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 27 2.8 68%
Nikkor AF-S 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED 28 2.8 67%Sony A 28-75mm f/2.8 SAM 28 2.8 67%
Sony A 28mm f/2.8 28 2.8 67%
Canon 28mm f/1.8 USM 28 2.8 67%
Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM 28 2.8 67%
Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro 50 2.5 67%
Fujinon XF 60mm f/2.4 R Macro 60 2.4 67%
Sony A Macro DT 30mm f/2.8 SAM 30 2.8 67%
Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM 135 2 67%Sony A DT 35mm f/1.8 SAM 35 2.8 66%
Pentax HD DA 35mm/2.8 Macro Limited 35 2.8 66%
Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G 35 2.8 66%
Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G 35 2.8 66%
Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 2.8/35mm ZA 35 2.8 66%
Canon 35mm f/2.0 IS 35 2.8 66%
Sony Zeiss FE 35mm f/2.8 35 2.8 66%
Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f/1.7 35 2.8 66%
Zeiss Loxia 35mm f/2 Biogon T* 35 2.8 66%
Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 40mm f/2.8G 40 2.8 65%
Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM 40 2.8 65%
Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 Nokton 40 2.8 65%
Voigtlander Heliar 40mm f/2.8 VM / E 40 2.8 65%
Pentax 21mm/3.2AL Limited 21 3.2 65%
Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8 45 2.8 65%
Nikkor AF-S 200mm f/2G ED VR II 200 2 64%
Nikkor AF-S 200mm f/2G VR IF-ED 200 2 64%Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM 200 2 64%
Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR 50 2.8 64%
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
19/26
Zeiss Touit Makro-Planar T* 50mm f/2.8 50 2.8 64%
Sony A DT 50mm f/1.8 SAM 50 2.8 64%
Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G 50 2.8 64%
Sony A Macro 50mm f/2.8 50 2.8 64%
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM 50 2.8 64%
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 50 2.8 64%
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 50 2.8 64%
Voigtlander 50mm f/1.1 Nokton 50 2.8 64%
Zeiss Loxia 50mm f/2 Planar T* 50 2.8 64%
Nikkor AF-S 58mm f/1.4G 58 2.8 63%
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM 15 3.5 63%
Fujinon XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS 16 3.5 63%
Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85mm VR f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED 16 3.5 63%
Sony A DT 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6 16 3.5 63%
Sony A Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA 16 3.5 63%Sony E PZ 3.5-5.6/16-50mm OSS 16 3.5 63%
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM 60 2.8 63%
Nikkor AF-S Micro 60mm f/2.8G IF-ED 60 2.8 63%
Fujinon XF 18-135mm f/3.55.6 R LM OIS WR 18 3.5 63%
Nikkor AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR IF-ED 18 3.5 63%
Nikkor AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF VR DX II 18 3.5 63%
Nikkor AF-S 18300mm f/3.5-5.6G DX ED VR IF 18 3.5 63%
Nikkor AF-S 18300mm f/3.5-6.3G DX ED VR IF 18 3.5 63%Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR 18 3.5 63%
Nikkor AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED 18 3.5 63%
Nikkor AF-S DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR 18 3.5 63%
Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED 18 3.5 63%
Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II 18 3.5 63%
Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR 18 3.5 63%
Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II 18 3.5 63%
Nikkor AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED 18 3.5 63%
Sony A DT 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM 18 3.5 63%
Sony A DT 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 18 3.5 63%
Sony A DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 18 3.5 63%
Sony A DT 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM 18 3.5 63%
Sony A DT 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM II 18 3.5 63%
Sony A DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 18 3.5 63%
Sony E 3.5-5.6/18-55mm OSS 18 3.5 63%
Sony E 3.5-6.3/18-200mm OSS 18 3.5 63%
Sony E 3.5-6.3/18-200mm OSS LE 18 3.5 63%Sony E PZ 3.5-6.3/18-200mm OSS 18 3.5 63%
Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II 18 3.5 63%
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
20/26
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II 18 3.5 63%
Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM 18 3.5 63%
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS 18 3.5 63%
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM 18 3.5 63%
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS 18 3.5 63%
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM 18 3.5 63%
Nikkor AF-S 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED 18 3.5 63%
Nikkor AF-S DX 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED 10 3.5 63%
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-5.6 10 3.5 63%
Pnetax DA 10-17/3.5-4.5ED IF 10 3.5 63%
Canon EF 24-105 f/3.5-5.6 IS STM 21 3.5 62%
Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II 70 2.8 62%
Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G VR IF-ED 70 2.8 62%
Sony A 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM 70 2.8 62%
Sony A 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM II 70 2.8 62%Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM 70 2.8 62%
Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G VR IF-ED 24 3.5 62%
Nikkor AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED 24 3.5 62%
Nikkor AF-S 2485mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR IF 24 3.5 62%
Sony A 24-105mm f/3.5-4.5 24 3.5 62%
Sony FE 3.5-6.3/24-240mm OSS 24 3.5 62%
Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM 24 3.5 62%
Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II 24 3.5 62%Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 8 3.5 62%
Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR 28 3.5 61%
Sony FE 3.5-5.6/28-70mm OSS 28 3.5 61%
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM 28 3.5 61%
Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM 28 3.5 61%
Nikkor AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D ED 80 2.8 61%
Sony E 3.5/30mm Macro 30 3.5 61%
Sony A 85mm f/2.8 SAM 85 2.8 61%
Canon 85mm f/1.2 85 2.8 61%Sony FE 2.8/90mm Macro G OSS 90 2.8 60%
Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 90 2.8 60%
Sony A Macro 100mm f/2.8 100 2.8 59%
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM 100 2.8 59%
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM 100 2.8 59%
Pentax HD DA 15mm/4ED AL Limited 15 4 59%
Nikkor AF-S DX 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED 12 4 59%
Pentax DA 12-24mm/4ED AL IF 12 4 59%Nikkor AF-S 16-35mm f/4G ED VR 16 4 59%
Sony Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 4/16-70mm ZA OSS 16 4 59%
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
21/26
Sony Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* FE 4/16-35mm ZA OSS 16 4 59%
Canon 16-35mm f/4L 16 4 59%
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM 16 4 59%
Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 16 4 59%
Nikkor AF-S Micro 105mm f/2.8G VR IF-ED 105 2.8 59%
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM 17 4 59%
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM 17 4 59%
Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L 17 4 59%
Sony E 4-5.6/18-50mm 18 4 59%
Sony E PZ 4/18-105mm G OSS 18 4 59%
Fujinon XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS 10 4 59%
Sony E 4/10-18mm OSS 10 4 59%
Sony E 10-18mm f/4 10 4 59%
Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR 24 4 58%
Sony Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* FE 4/24-70mm ZA OSS 24 4 58%Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM 24 4 58%
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM 24 4 58%
Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM 24 4 58%
Canon 8-15mm f/4L USM Fisheye 8 4 58%
Sony A Smooth Trans Focus 135mm f/2.8 [T4.5] 135 2.8 57%
Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 Softfocus 135 2.8 57%
Sony FE PZ 4/28-135mm G OSS 28 4 57%
Fujinon XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS 55 3.5 57%Voigtlander Super Heliar 15mm/4.5 VM II 15 4.5 56%
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 12 4.5 56%
Sony A DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 11 4.5 56%
Canon 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM 10 4.5 56%
Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85mm f/3.5G ED VR 85 3.5 54%
Nikkor AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED 55 4 53%
Nikkor AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR IF-ED 55 4 53%
Sony A DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 55 4 53%
Sony A DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 SAM 55 4 53%Sony A DT 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM 55 4 53%
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II 55 4 53%
Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/4G ED VR 70 4 52%
Sony A 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM 70 4 52%
Sony A 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM II 70 4 52%
Sony FE 4/70-200mm G OSS 70 4 52%
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM 70 4 52%
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM 70 4 52%Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM 70 4 52%
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM 70 4 52%
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
22/26
Nikkor AF-I 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED 300 2.8 52%
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED II 300 2.8 52%
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II 300 2.8 52%
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/2.8G VR IF-ED 300 2.8 52%
Sony A 300mm f/2.8 G SSM 300 2.8 52%
Sony A 300mm f/2.8 G SSM II 300 2.8 52%
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II USM 300 2.8 52%
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III 75 4 51%
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM 75 4 51%
Fujinon XC 50-230mm f/4.5-6.7 OIS 50 4.5 51%
Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR 55 4.5 50%
Sony E 4.5-6.3/55-210mm OSS 55 4.5 50%
Nikkor AF-I 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED 400 2.8 50%
Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED II 400 2.8 50%
Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED 400 2.8 50%Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR 400 2.8 50%
Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8G VR IF-ED 400 2.8 50%
Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM 400 2.8 50%
Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM 400 2.8 50%
Canon EF 180 f/3.5L Macro USM 180 3.5 49%
Voigtlander 21mm f/4 Color-Skopar 21 5.6 49%
Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR IF-ED 70 4.5 49%
Sony A 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM 70 4.5 49%Canon EF 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM 70 4.5 49%
Sony A 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 75 4.5 48%
Nikkor AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR 80 4.5 48%
Fujinon XF 140-400mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR 140 4 47%
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM 100 4.5 46%
Nikkor AF-S 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II 200 4 45%
Nikkor AF-S 200-400mm f/4G VR IF-ED 200 4 45%
Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM 1.4x 200 4 45%
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM 70 5.6 42%Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D IF-ED 300 4 42%
Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM 300 4 42%
Canon 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM 400 4 40%
Nikkor AF-I 500mm f/4D IF-ED 500 4 38%
Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4D IF-ED II 500 4 38%
Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4D IF-ED 500 4 38%
Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4G VR IF-ED 500 4 38%
Sony A 500mm f/4 G SSM 500 4 38%Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM 500 4 38%
Nikkor AF-I 600mm f/4D IF-ED 600 4 37%
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
23/26
Nikkor AF-S 600mm f/4D IF-ED II 600 4 37%
Nikkor AF-S 600mm f/4D IF-ED 600 4 37%
Nikkor AF-S 600mm f/4G VR IF-ED 600 4 37%
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM 600 4 37%
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM 400 5.6 30%
Nikkor AF-S 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR[N 1] 800 5.6 26%
Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM 800 5.6 26%
Sony A Reflex 500mm f/8 500 8 19%
*Lonely SpecMark is a scoring system that I'm currently developing to gauge the real-world performance of actual camera lenses relative to each other, all based on myexperience with these lenses, directly or indirectly. This takes into accout the signal-to-noise ratio capability of the lens for untracked astrophotography and compensates forthe lenses "minimum usable f/number" which is currently loosely defined as the lowestf/number that I would recommend using that particular lens. Some lenses exhibitaberration at their wide-open f/numbers and thuse need to be stopped down to a higherf/number in order to reduce those aberrations to an acceptable level. The amount ofstopping down needed until a lens is acceptable is a little subjective and I'm still creating
a standard by which each lens's minimum usable f/number is determined.Lenses that are highlighted in green have been personally tested by Lonely Speck,lenses that are highlighted in yellow have not been tested but have substantial evidencethat support its rating and lenses that are not highlighted have not yet been tested andare based on speculation only. Some lenses listed here havent even been released yetso take these numbers with a grain of salt.Lonely SpecMark Scores are a decibel scaled percentage of the signal to noise ratiocapability of a lens relative to the highest scoring lens which at this time is the Rokinon24mm f/1.4. In general, the shorter and faster (lower f/number) the lens, the better theresult on this scale.
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
24/26
Lens
FocalLength(mm)
MinUsable
f/#(4/3)
LonelySpecMark
(4/3)
Rokinon UMC 24mm f/1.4 24 1.4 80%
Voigtlander Nokton 25mm f/0.95 25 1.4 79%
SLR Magic Hyperprime 25mm f/0.95 25 1.4 79%Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 25 1.4 79%
Schneider Xenon 30mm f/1.4 30 1.4 78%
SLR Magic Hyperprime 12mm f/1.6 12 1.6 78%
SLR Magic Hyperprime 35mm f/0.95 35 1.4 77%
Mitakon/Zhongyi AMC 35mm f/0.95 35 1.4 77%
SLR Magic CINE 35mm f/1.4 35 1.4 77%
Rokinon UMC 35mm f/1.4 35 1.4 77%
SLR Magic Hyperprime 17mm f/1.6 17 1.6 77%Handevision Ibelux 40mm f/0.85 40 1.4 77%
Voigtlander Nokton 42.5mm f/0.95 42.5 1.4 76%
Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 15 1.7 76%
SLR Magic Noktor Hyperprime 50mm f/0.95 50 1.4 75%
Panasonic Lumix G II 20mm f/1.7 20 1.7 75%
Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 20 1.7 75%
SLR Magic CINE 23mm f/1.7 23 1.7 74%
Olympus m.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8 17 1.8 74%
Olympus m.Zuiko Digital 25mm f/1.8 25 1.8 72%Olympus m.Zuiko Digital 12mm f/2 12 2 72%
Rokinon NCS CS 12mm f/2 12 2 72%
Schneider Super Angulon 14mm f/2 14 2 72%
Rokinon UMC 85mm f/1.4 85 1.4 72%
Rokinon UMC CS 16mm f/2 16 2 71%
Voigtlander Nokton 17.5mm f/0.95 17.5 2 71%
Jackar Snapshooter 34mm f/1.8 34 1.8 71%
Panasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 42.5 1.8 69%Olympus m.Zuiko Digital 45mm f/1.8 45 1.8 69%
Panasonic Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 14 2.5 65%
Olympus m.Zuiko Digital 75mm f/1.8 75 1.8 65%
Rokinon NCS CS 10mm f/2.8 10 2.8 63%
Olympus m.Zuiko Digital 12-40mm f/2.8 12 2.8 63%
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 12 2.8 63%
Rokinon UMC 14mm f/2.8 14 2.8 62%
Olympus m.Zuiko Digital 7-14mm f/2.8 7 2.8 62%
Olympus m.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8 17 2.8 62%
Sigma DN Art 19mm f/2.8 19 2.8 61%
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
25/26
Sigma EX DN 19mm f/2.8 19 2.8 61%
Sigma DN Art 30mm f/2.8 30 2.8 59%
Sigma EX DN 30mm f/2.8 30 2.8 59%
Schneider Makro-Symmar 60mm f/2.4 60 2.4 59%
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 35 2.8 58%
Olympus m.Zuiko Digital 40-150mm f/2.8 40 2.8 57%
Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f/2.8 45 2.8 56%
Olympus m.Zuiko Digital 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 12 3.5 56%
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 12 3.5 56%
Olympus m.Zuiko Digital EZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 14 3.5 56%
Olympus m.Zuiko Digital II R 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 14 3.5 56%
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 14 3.5 56%
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 14 3.5 56%
Panasonic Lumix G Vario II 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 14 3.5 56%
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 14 3.5 56%Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 14 3.5 56%
Tamron Di III 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8 14 3.5 56%
Panasonic Lumix G Fisheye 8mm f/3.5 8 3.5 56%
Rokinon UMC 8mm F/3.5 Fisheye 8 3.5 56%
Rokinon UMC 7.5mm f/3.5 7.5 3.5 56%
Olympus m.Zuiko Digital 60mm f/2.8 60 2.8 55%
Sigma DN Art 60mm f/2.8 60 2.8 55%
Olympus m.Zuiko Digital 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6 9 4 52%
Olympus m.Zuiko Digital 14-150mm f/4.0-5.6 14 4 52%
Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 14 4 52%
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 7-14mm f/4 7 4 52%
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 35-100mm f/4-5.6 35 4 48%
Olympus m.Zuiko Digital R 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 40 4 47%
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm f/4.0-5.6 45 4 46%
Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 45-150mm f/4.0-5.6 45 4 46%
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 45-200mm f/4.0-5.6 45 4 46%
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm f/4.0-5.6 100 4 41%Olympus Body Cap Lens 9mm f/6.3 9 6.3 40%
Olympus Body Cap Lens 15mm f/6.3 15 6.3 39%
Olympus m.Zuiko Digital II R 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 75 4.8 38%
Olympus m.Zuiko Digital 300mm f/4 300 4 33%
Tokina Reflex 300mm f/6.3 300 6.3 21%
Rokinon UMC CS 300mm f/6.3 300 6.3 21%
-
7/21/2019 Astrophotography Nightscape Lens Rating
26/26
*Lonely SpecMark is a scoring system that I'm currently developing to gauge the real-world performance of actual camera lenses relative to each other, all based on myexperience with these lenses, directly or indirectly. This takes into accout the signal-to-noise ratio capability of the lens for untracked astrophotography and compensates forthe lenses "minimum usable f/number" which is currently loosely defined as the lowestf/number that I would recommend using that particular lens. Some lenses exhibit
aberration at their wide-open f/numbers and thuse need to be stopped down to ahigher f/number in order to reduce those aberrations to an acceptable level. Theamount of stopping down needed until a lens is acceptable is a little subjective and I'mstill creating a standard by which each lens's minimum usable f/number is determined.
Lenses that are highlighted in green have been personally tested by Lonely Speck,lenses that are highlighted in yellow have not been tested but have substantialevidence that support its rating and lenses that are not highlighted have not yet beentested and are based on speculation only. Some lenses listed here havent even beenreleased yet so take these numbers with a grain of salt.Lonely SpecMark Scores are a decibel scaled percentage of the signal to noise ratiocapability of a lens relative to the highest scoring lens which at this time is the Rokinon24mm f/1.4. In general, the shorter and faster (lower f/number) the lens, the better theresult on this scale.