As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
No wonder, astrophotography is one of the most demanding genres in the photography field as it requires the best attributes and quality of the lenses. Nothing can be more rewarding for a photographer than capturing just the right shot of the Milky Way.
In order to ace astrophotography, one of the key components is the combination of an appropriate lens with the camera body.
This article talks about some of the best-known Canon lenses for astrophotography. Let’s review them one by one!
Contents
Review of the Best Canon Lenses For Astrophotography
Now you know the primary features that contribute to making a great lens for astrophotography. Now let’s move forward to the most important section of this article. Here, we have presented a detailed review of our top-picked models that can be really effective in creating excellent nightscapes.
Let’s get started!
Best Overall: Canon EF-M 22mm f2 STM
PROS
- Great aperture for bright pictures
- Compact and attractive in appearance
- Lightweight model that is highly portable
- Equipped with a stepping motor for silent operation
- Manufactured from high-end materials to ensure durability
CONS
- Lens is not zoomable
- Ghosting can be encountered
- Might cause distortion at the maximum aperture
What Recent Buyers Report
Users have found Canon EF-M 22mm f2 model to be quite useful for astrophotography due to its superior performance. One of the most appreciated features is its compact and tiny design that can be carried around easily. Moreover, the aperture is quite effective in creating some stunning shots during low-light conditions.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This small lens from Canon stands out to us for its attractive appearance and tiny design. It is equipped with a 22mm focal length that is brilliantly complemented by a wide aperture of maximum F2. Moreover, it incorporates a stepping motor to ensure fast and silent autofocusing during the photography session.
Who Will Use This Most
It proves to be an ideal model for Canon bodies to ace astrophotography. The focal length and wide aperture are just perfect for making some worthy nightscapes whenever you want. Moreover, the design is extremely compact and, therefore, easily fits a backpack during a photography session at night.
Bottom Line
An extraordinary model with some exceptional features, this Canon lens is made from heavy-duty materials to mark durability. It comes with a great focal length and a wide aperture to let you take vibrant images, regardless of lighting conditions. Moreover, the compact design enhances portability to a great extent.
- Moderate wide angle lens; equivalent to 35mm on a fullframe camera
- Builtin stepping motor provides smooth and quiet autofocus when shooting video
- Circular aperture (7 blades) delivers beautiful, soft backgrounds
Runner-up: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
PROS
- Flawless design with an appealing look
- Compact model to ensure high portability
- Suitable for a variety of photography types
- A great aperture to enhance light transmission
- Composed of high-grade materials to increase longevity
CONS
- Lacks image stabilization
- Focal length is impractical
- Images at F1.8 are not impressive
What Recent Buyers Report
The users of Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens are quite impressed with its results. They report that the design is extremely portable and lightweight. Plus, the focal length is great for achieving high-end astrophotography goals. Similarly, there are no certain complaints regarding its durability, which is quite impactful for new customers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
A remarkable lens from Canon, this model uses a 50mm focal length in combination with an aperture of F1.8 to provide stunning images in no time. Its construction is highly durable, plus the design is exquisite. Moreover, there is a stepping motor to allow fast and silent autofocusing during photography.
Who Will Use This Most
Equipped with a wide aperture, this lens is capable of transmitting a great deal of light to allow vibrant images of the stars. This makes it one of the best choices for nighttime photography and capturing shots of the Milky Way. Moreover, the focal length can be employed for portrait and action photography as well.
Bottom Line
One of the finest models on the list, this Canon lens is meant to serve the user in the long run, thanks to its quality construction. Moreover, it is incorporated with a nice focal length and a wide aperture for stunning photography in just a matter of seconds. What else could you ask for?
- 50 millimeter focal length and maximum aperture of f/1.8
- Great for portraits, action, and nighttime photography; Angle of view (horizontal, vertical,...
- Minimum focusing distance of 1.15 feet (0.35 meter) and a maximum magnification of 0.21x
Best for the Money: Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3
PROS
- Large angle of view for perfect nightscapes
- Made from high-end graphite to make it last long
- Comes with the most affordable price tag
- Fine aperture enhances the chances of vibrant images
- Zoomable lens that allows you to choose the focal length for the perfect shot
CONS
- A bulky model
- Not suitable for beginners
- Color contrast is not too impressive
What Recent Buyers Report
This lens has successfully garnered the attention of many customers due to its affordable price tag. It comes with almost all essential features and that too at a very reasonable price. Another admired quality is its zoomable focal length that allows the user to set the required focal length for achieving fine astrophotography manually.
Why it Stands Out to Us
If you are looking for a reliable Canon lens that perfectly fits your budget, then you must get your hands on Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 lens. In this model, we find a variable focal length ranging from 18mm to 150mm, which is quite great for astrophotography. Moreover, the aperture is of F3.5-6.3 to assist in excellent photography.
Who Will Use This Most
This zoomable lens is just the right choice for capturing worthy shots of the stars as a pro. Similarly, the aperture is effective in producing quality images, even in dim lighting conditions. Most of all, the price is quite suitable for those who are budget-conscious and can’t spend a lot of money on a lens.
Bottom Line
Those who are on a tight budget and want a flawless lens to go with their DSLR body must consider this one from Canon. The focal length is spectacular, plus the aperture gives excellent shots of objects whenever you want. In short, you are not going to find a more reliable deal at such a price.
- Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Lens (Graphite)
- Diagonal Angle of View: 74°20' - 27°50'
4. Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
PROS
- Works well with full-frame cameras
- Top-notch design with an exquisite look
- Comes with fast and accurate auto focus
- Made of durable materials to guarantee reliability
- Weather-resistant design to endure tough conditions
CONS
- No image stabilization
- Restricted max viewing angle
- Corner sharpness is not impressive
What Recent Buyers Report
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L model has gained multiple positive reviews from its customers. Users report that it is extremely effective for astrophotography, regardless of the lighting conditions. Moreover, the design is durable and is weather-resistant to avoid any damage whenever you are in the field for a photography session. Lastly, the autofocus is fast enough to capture images within seconds.
Why it Stands Out to Us
A lens packed with a great set of exceptional features to the brim, this model from Canon is composed of heavy-duty materials to serve the user in the long run. It comes with a useful 16-35mm focal length, which is combined with a flawless F4 aperture to deliver stunning pictures in all conditions.
Who Will Use This Most
This lens is equipped with a zoomable focal length, which makes it a go-to choice for astrophotography. The aperture is wide enough to accumulate a great amount of light and delivers vibrant photographs during nighttime photography. Moreover, this focal length can also be employed for creating some worthy portraits as well.
Bottom Line
With its flawless focal length and wide aperture, this model lies among the well-known lenses for astrophotography. It is a finely constructed model that is extremely durable and appealing to look at. Overall, it is highly versatile and easy to use for achieving astrophotography goals like a pro.
- Make sure this fits by entering your model number
- Full-time manual focus permits critical focusing precision, even in AF mode. Help provide excellent...
- Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
5. Canon 22mm EF-M
PROS
- Durable construction to enhance reliability
- Compact enough to fit in a backpack easily
- Lightweight design makes it highly portable
- Stepping motor to ensure silent performance
- Aperture is really useful for improved image quality
CONS
- No zoomable capability
- Lacks any image stabilization
- Might face distortion at the maximum aperture
What Recent Buyers Report
This model has satisfied its users with multiple features, including premium design, flawless construction, and a fine focal length. According to users, it is compact and, therefore, does not require any struggle during its portability as well as handling. Moreover, it allows fast and accurate autofocusing, thanks to the stepping motor.
Why it Stands Out to Us
In case you want an exquisite-looking lens with fine construction, then look no further. This Canon 22 mm EF-M from Canon has got everything you are looking for. Whether we talk about its premium design or reliable 22mm focal length, this model will never do you wrong in the hour of need.
Who Will Use This Most
Exhibiting an appealing appearance, this lens is just the right choice for your DSLR camera. It comes with a great focal length and a wide aperture that allows for creating worthy nightscapes. Moreover, it comes with a compact design that is user-friendly, making it the perfect option even for beginners.
Bottom Line
This lens from Canon makes its way to our list for its durability, reliability, and quality. It is manufactured with top-notch features that contribute to delivering perfect shots of the sky during nighttime photography. This portable lens is arguably just the ideal choice for wide-angle shots of the Milky Way.
- Moderate wide-angle lens, equivalent to 35 mm on a fullframe camera
- Built-in stepping motor provides smooth and quiet autofocus when shooting video
- Circular aperture (seven blades) delivers high quality and soft backgrounds
Comparison of the Best Canon Lenses For Astrophotography
Can Any Lens Be Used For Astrophotography?
There are a number of characteristics that contribute to deciding the right camera lens for astrophotography. The capability and quality of the lens are quite important to determine whether it can be employed for astrophotography and crafting flawless Milky Way nightscapes.
There are varieties of lenses that are being employed to create some worthy shots in astrophotography; however, not all of them are efficient enough to provide the best results. This section has summarized the attributes of a lens suitable for astrophotography.
Wide-Angle Lens
The most preferred lens for astrophotography is a wide-angle as it offers a larger field of view. This type of lens helps you in capturing more of the Milky Way with its ability to collect light from a larger portion of the sky. This trait, in combination with a wide aperture, provides a balance in color consistency and brightness.
Short Focal Length
In order to achieve fast and non-tracked photography, generally, a shorter focal length is employed. You might use a 24mm or shorter lens for APS-C cameras or a 35mm lens for a full-frame body. A shorter focal length is quite effective in avoiding stars trails from arising due to the Earth’s rotation and ultimately provides sharp images by virtue of the long shutter speed.
What Should I Look For When Buying a Lens For Astrophotography?
The decision can be extremely daunting whenever you come across a plethora of options to choose from. You will find a variety of lenses, and each of them would be great in the best way possible. In order to help you get the perfect one to fulfill your demands, we have summarized a couple of essential features that must not be overlooked while making a purchase.
Quality Construction
This is one of the most significant features of a great lens. Whenever you pick a model, make sure it is composed of high-quality products and also comes from a reputed brand. These brands have a proven history of providing high-end products, which are likely to last for a long time when compared to the models manufactured from cheaper materials.
Budget-Friendly
Although lenses for astrophotography can be expensive, it is still possible to get a model with all the essential features that easily fit your budget. However, you are advised to always go for quality products in order to make a worthy investment.
Weather-Proof Design
Another important feature of a quality lens is its weather-resistant capability. The model must be capable of enduring harsh weather conditions in the field without compromising on superior performance. This way, you can take it along for outdoor photography without any hesitance.
Ease of Use
A lens that is easy to handle saves the user from a lot of confusion during the photography session. Therefore, you must look for a model that requires the least manual settings. This is especially important for people who are new to this type of photography.
Benefits of Investing in a Quality Lens
A wide-angle lens with an effective aperture can cost you quite a lot. Therefore, whenever you intend to purchase a quality camera, you have to spend a great deal of money. Although this might get heavy on your pocket, there are multiple benefits associated with investing in a quality lens that make the investment worth it.
Durability
One of the significant advantages of a quality lens is that it is meant to last in the long run. Since it is from a reputed brand and, therefore, made from high-quality materials, it is likely to serve the user for a longer period of time. Moreover, there would be no additional expenditures for repair and replacement.
Stunning Images
Another advantage of combining a quality lens with the right body is that you get to have flawless images every time. A lens equipped with great focal length and wide aperture allows extended transmission of light and, therefore, results in bright and clear pictures even in dim lighting.
Similarly, chromatic aberration control ensures distortion-free pictures to a great extent.
Value to Your Bucks
Since not everybody is capable of spending tons of money every time they upgrade their lens, the decision should be made wisely. A great lens comes with some exceptional features that combine to provide better and clearer pictures, regardless of any lighting conditions.
What Do I Need to Know Before Buying?
Before investing in a quality lens, you are always advised to take some essential factors into consideration. This way, you will surely end up having the right model for your requirements that will not only be superior in performance but also bring value to your money.
Focal Length
As discussed above, a wide-angle lens is the most preferred choice to achieve high-end astrophotography. The major reason includes a number of options to choose from when it comes to the field of view. In simpler words, you get to choose how much sky you want to capture in one frame.
You are recommended to go for a shorter focal length as it provides a longer shutter speed, and ultimately, you get to have sharp images of stars without getting a trailing effect.
Aperture
Another important factor to consider is the aperture of a lens as it directly contributes to the amount of light that enters it. A wider aperture with a short shutter speed lets you capture high-quality images without any noise or distortion.
Chromatic Aberration
The most important factor that really affects the images during astrophotography is chromatic aberration. It is strongly advised to always pick a lens that comes with a high level of chromatic aberration control. This will eliminate the chances of slight distortions of light points whenever you are shooting in low light conditions.
Conclusion
With this, we come to the end of this review. A wide-angle lens with a wide aperture can help you ace astrophotography. You are recommended to always look for major features whenever you are in the market to make a purchase in order to avoid any regret in the future. Hopefully, this review of our best models has helped you in finding the right one you are looking for!
