· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Astrophotography and Sketching >> DSLR & Digital Camera Astro Imaging & Processing Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 CC Bear member Reged: 04/23/12 Loc: Castle Cove, Sydney, Australia Best budget astrophotography lens for nikon d5100       #5716969 - 03/06/13 06:02 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi all Just got the above camera with kit lenses 18-55 and 55-300....was hoping for advice on a prime lens solely for astrophotography use that would be a good all rounder and I could use for comet ISON later this year. Was thinking either the 35mm 1.8g, or 50mm either 1.8d or 1.8g, but have read conflicting reports on whether the 1.8d is useable with the d5100 due to focus inability. I'd prefer the d as it costs $100 less than the others, and I'm used to manually focussing for infinity with my kit lens. Appreciate any advice! Budget is max AUD 220. Any third party alternatives? Post Extras:       nofxrx Vendor (HyperCams & Mods) Reged: 07/12/05 Loc: Palm Bay,Florida Re: Best budget astrophotography lens for nikon d5100 [Re: CC Bear]       #5717187 - 03/06/13 08:10 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Easy. Nikon 50mm F/1.8 G (~$150 USED, ~$250(?) New..) Or Nikon 105mm F/2.8 Macro (either VR or non-VR version), but a bit more $.. Or, if you like manual focus lenses, the older Ai lenses are great.. particularly the Nikon 50mm F/1.4 Ai, 105mm F/2.5 Ai, 200mm F/4 Ai.. And these can usually be had fairly cheap, and you could probably pick a couple up for ~$100-150.. Now, any lens without a BIM(built in motor) is not going to allow AF on your D5100...that is what comes with the territory on the lower end models with Nikon..which I have never understood..Canon puts motors in ALL of their lenses(EF and EF-S), why cant Nikon?? Just a way to get more $ out of us! lol The 50/1.8G is awesome. I love it. Though I prefer my Sigma 50/1.4 for actual daytime, the MUCH larger Sigma will not allow me to attach my 48mm filters for imaging like the Nikon F/1.8 will. the Nikon /1.4 version SHOULD allow this as well..though I do not have firsthand experience with this model(either D or G).. the 35mm F/1.8 G I have heard really great things about. And if you do not have a prime lens in your collection, I would STRONGLY advise getting this one. It would probably become your most used lens.. Though, I do not know if 35mm will be very fun/useful for AP...it is a quite large FOV(equivilant to ~52mm on Full Frame). That is a bit too wide for me. 85mm to 105mm(35mm equivilant) is kinda my sweet spot/favorite for wide field.. Good luck! Post Extras:       CC Bear member Reged: 04/23/12 Loc: Castle Cove, Sydney, Australia Re: Best budget astrophotography lens for nikon d5100 [Re: nofxrx]       #5717241 - 03/06/13 08:43 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks nofxrx... I'll keep my eye out for a good 2nd hand version of the 50 g, if no luck I can get new for around $220... Cheers Post Extras:       Traveler Pooh-Bah Reged: 08/19/07 Loc: The Netherlands Re: Best budget astrophotography lens for nikon d5100 [Re: CC Bear]       #5717643 - 03/07/13 01:54 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   +1 nikkor 50mm F1.8. You can also consider a used (manual) AIS version of it. I bought it for just 80 euro. They are mechanical better (imo) than the newer ones. Also you can consider a Nikkor 180mm F2.8.A very good and sharp lens but you have to pay the price, it is not a budget lens but a lens you own your whole life. Here on CN you can find very fine results with it. Post Extras:       CC Bear member Reged: 04/23/12 Loc: Castle Cove, Sydney, Australia Re: Best budget astrophotography lens for nikon d5100 [Re: Traveler]       #5717766 - 03/07/13 06:00 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks Traveler. A friend just offered me a series E 50 F 1.8 AI-S in v.good condition for under $100... Maybe I'll grab that and save up next year for a 180 F2.8. The same friend coincidentally said a 50 & a good 180 should be my requirements... Post Extras:       fishonkevin Pooh-Bah Reged: 04/29/07 Loc: Michigan Re: Best budget astrophotography lens for nikon d5100 [Re: CC Bear]       #5718082 - 03/07/13 10:36 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Make sure you get the ED versio of the 180. Post Extras:       lakeorion professor emeritus Reged: 08/03/10 Loc: Lake Orion MI Re: Best budget astrophotography lens for nikon d5100 [Re: fishonkevin]       #5718378 - 03/07/13 12:52 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The 35mm 1.8 DX AF-S lens suffers from barrel distortion. It's fixable but adds a step to processing. For daytime photography though, it rocks. Post Extras:       nofxrx Vendor (HyperCams & Mods) Reged: 07/12/05 Loc: Palm Bay,Florida Re: Best budget astrophotography lens for nikon d5100 [Re: lakeorion]       #5719582 - 03/07/13 10:55 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Yea, the 180ED is phenomenal! I didnt think about it with your budget, but it should be on anyone's shortlist if widefield imaging is their interest! I am getting the newer AF-D version(~$400-500 MINT used) as I own Nikon DSLRs and would like the AF for daytime! I have seen the older Ai/AiS versions go for less than $200..crazy since optically they are all the same=brilliant! Cheers! Post Extras:       Traveler Pooh-Bah Reged: 08/19/07 Loc: The Netherlands Re: Best budget astrophotography lens for nikon d5100 [Re: nofxrx]       #5719832 - 03/08/13 03:57 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   There is a rumor about the Nikkor 180 mm lens without the ED marking, already uses a low dispersion lens in the lenssystem...(Peterson's Nikon system handbook). Post Extras:       Markovich professor emeritus Reged: 05/22/07 Loc: Central Ohio Re: Best budget astrophotography lens for nikon d5100 [Re: Traveler]       #5720548 - 03/08/13 01:29 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'd stick with the 35mm 1.8 D. With the DX crop factor you'll have the ful frame equivalent of a 53mm lens anyways. Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 20 registered and 20 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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