UKH

After a couple of trips out to try and photograph the Northern Lights, I want a new lens for my Canon DSLR, I’ve currently got a 50mm which is too narrow angle for night/landscape photography.

I’d like to spend under £200 if that’s possible? How does this one look?

https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/product/rokinon-16mm-f-2-ed-as-umc-cs-canon-ef-s-...

Which Canon body? This is an EF-S lens so not suitable for full-frame bodies. I have and use the Samyang 14mm f2.8 FF version which has some downsides (hysteresis in the focussing ring, but is optically excellent (once you learn to use it).

Quick check suggests it’s a soft lens. I use a Sigma 16, but I’m on APS-C. Not sure if it would work for you.

Looks good. Manual focus should be fine for your purpose, and you won't be able to beat that price for a f2 prime in good/excellent used condition.

why not go wider eg there is a rokinon/samyang 12mm f2 (EF-M mount)

https://www.canon.co.uk/support/consumer/products/cameras/eos/eos-1100d.htm...
 

EOS1100d so it should be fine, right?

Would that be noticeably better?

Could you explain what you mean? Sorry, go easy on me. I’m fairly novice and my attention for reading up on soft lenses and APS-C is fairly limited.

If you mean ‘soft’? -  this means the lens will not produce photos that are ‘sharp’ ie really clear and detailed.

If you mean APS-C? This my sensor size. I use an A6400. You may be using a full frame camera. If so, there are differences if you use lenses designed for APS-C.

Sorry. Not long explanation but hopefully this helps.

1100d is an APS-C sensor. If you can, push the boat out and get either a Rokinin 12mm or Sigma 16mm.

The sigma is stunningly sharp. The Rokinon gets similar reviews.

soft and sharp are relative terms. The lens may be sharp enough for what you're looking for, and as sharp as other options at the same price point (check the reviews and prices for other used options). Generally lenses give less sharp images, especially at the edges of the image, when the aperture is fully open (f2 for your Rokinon) while letting in maximum light when shooting at night (i.e. for astro). Lenses give generally sharper images from corner-to-corner across the image when a smaller aperture is used e.g. closer to f5.6 or f8 (but then you'd have to use a longer exposure). If you pay top dollar for a pro lens then it will generally have a bigger maximum aperture and give sharper images when you use that maximum aperture.

Yes.

Oh, and you do have a decent tripod, don't you?

i was thinking wider=longer exposures.

seems ef-s and ef-m have different flanges. i'd ditch your museum piece and get a more recent dslr body with more lens options

Yes.

Oh, and you do have a decent tripod, don't you?

How are you going to focus the lens? Can your body + 50mm focus on stars already (a good sign), or can you zoom in sufficiently in live-view to manually focus?

If you're happy to go manual, this would be a good choice https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/product/samyang-14mm-f2f28-ed-as-if-umc-ae-chip-c... 

Hi,

I use a Tokina 11-16mm F2.8 wide angle for nightscapes and landscapes on my canono 80D, works well.  Bought it second hand £220

I've had some reasonable success with Samyang glass.
I have a Canon EF fit 20mm f/1.8 (manual focus) and it's been great

Can pick this up for a little north of £200 on MPB usually.
https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/product/samyang-20mm-f-1-8-ed-as-if-umc-canon-ef-...

Could be useful

Milky Way Photography Setups For Different Budgets

youtube.com/watch?v=ShBh8GSaHdM&