Best lenses for astrophotography in 2024

Owning one (or more) of the best lenses for astrophotography is an absolute must if you want to take photographing the night sky seriously. You'll want a good lens if you hope to capture the Quadrantid meteor shower when it peaks overnight on Jan. 2-3, offering views of up to 40 "shooting stars" per hour, or to get the most detailed look at the Wolf Moon — the first full moon of the new year — when it rises on Jan. 13.

We've rounded up our favorite astro lenses below. Although Black Friday is officially over, there are still decent deals to be had. For example, Amazon is offering 14% off on this Sony E-mount Sigma 14mm f/1.4 lens.

While none of the lenses we've selected are exclusively for astrophotography, they're all specialist, wide-angle lenses with large apertures, perfect for letting in as much light as possible. Pair one with one of the best cameras for astrophotography to get the best out of it.

The ideal astrophotography lens has an aperture of f/2.8 or less and a focal length of 20mm or less. These lenses are often larger than standard lenses, heavier, and pricer—typically due to the quality of the glass.

Our expert reviewers and team of professional photographers have selected the best lenses for the job, carefully highlighting the pros and cons of each lens on the list.

Kimberley Lane

Kimberley Lane is a landscape & seascape photographer living in South Wales. Originally using photography as a way to cope with health issues, she aims to portray a feeling of calm and peace through her images. Her work has been featured in a number of national photography magazines and she is a regular contributor to Space.com.

The quick list

Below, we've summarized the most important information about our picks of the best lenses for astrophotography, including their main characteristics and who they might be best for. If you want to know more about a product before you make a purchase, click 'Read more below' and you'll find more in-depth specs and reviews for each lens.

Best lenses for astrophotography we recommend in 2024

The best lens for astrophotography overall

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The Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is ideal for astrophotography thanks to its ultra-wide 14mm view and impressive low-light capabilities.

Design: The Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is not a small lens. In fact, it's absolutely huge, but it's exceptionally well-made and feels like it's built to last. We love how it feels to handle, but we wouldn't recommend it for long periods of handheld use due to its weight, and you'll certainly need a tripod to get the most out of it. It has a clever lens cap that can also be used as a filter holder, and it can even be used with the lens hood on.

Performance: This lens gives you excellent sharpness across the whole image, which is impressive for such a wide lens. During our Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens review, we found that distortion is minimal, even at the edges. The autofocus is quick and precise, and the manual focus ring is very enjoyable to use. It's great in low light, letting you use higher ISOs to capture sharp stars easily.

Functionality: This Sigma lens offers a range of features that extend its use outside astrophotography as well. Aperture control is seamless, with a manual ring that features detents at every third of a stop as well as an auto mode. This lens also has a switch to unclick the control when shooting video. Filters can only be applied at the mount end due to the bulbous front element, but the lens includes Sigma's GP-11 filter holder at the back to make this as easy as possible.

Although the Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art could be used for architecture, portraiture and live event photography as well, it's probably best suited to specialist astrophotography where its low-light abilities remain unbeaten.

• Read our full Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens review

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Best Sony lens

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Design: The Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM belongs to Sony's elite 'G-Master' lens series, renowned for outstanding quality. If you're looking for an ultra-wide-angle lens with excellent build quality without the added weight, it's incredibly attractive, though it's also one of the priciest options in this guide.

With its f/2.8 aperture and remarkably wide field of view, it offers exceptional performance. Despite this, the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM maintains a relatively light weight and compact design compared to others in this guide, weighing just 1.87 lbs (847g).

The lens has a built-in petal-shaped hood to protect the bulbous glass element, which means you can't attach a filter to the front. However, there is a slot on the back of the lens where you can use gel filters.

Performance: In our Sony FE 12-24 f/2.8 GM lens review, we called the sharpness of this lens is "almost unrivaled". The image quality it can capture is incredible: Whether you're shooting the stars or a landscape, you're going to get fantastic, sharp, colorful results. We found the sharpness maintains throughout the full focal length range, even at the widest aperture (f/2.8).

Functionality: At its shortest focal length of 12mm, this lens offers a wide viewing angle of 122 degrees, ideal for capturing large areas of the Milky Way, for example. Many other lenses can only capture such a wide view by stitching together multiple photos into a panorama.

If you want excellent quality for astrophotography and can afford it, this Sony lens is a great choice. It's expensive, but its versatility makes it a long-lasting, all-in-one wide-field astro lens. As a zoom lens, it can also be used for other types of photography. If you have a smaller budget but still want an ultra-wide-angle lens for astrophotography, the next one on this list might be a better option.

• Read our full Sony FE 12-24 f/2.8 GM lens review

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Best Nikon Z-mount

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Design: This Nikon zoom lens is the most compact among full-frame f/2.8 ultra-wide-angle zoom lenses, measuring only 5 inches (124.5mm) in length and weighing just 1.7 lbs (650g). It's also completely weather-sealed to protect against different weather conditions.

Compared to similar lenses from other brands, this lens has a less protruding and rounded front element. This allows you to easily attach 112mm filters to the front using the included lens hood, which makes it more versatile for both daytime and astrophotography. These filters can be a bit pricey as they're so big, but having the option is valuable. On the plus side, you won't need to purchase a separate rear filter system.

Performance: It comes as no surprise that the Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S's image quality is second to none. It creates outstanding images, and we've encountered minimal distortion, vignetting and aberrations in our captures across the full aperture range.

Functionality: This lens has a wide aperture and provides a broad view at its shorter focal lengths. The customizable Lens Function (L-fn) button allows users to quickly change exposure and adjust settings without having to flick through endless menus, which is useful when you need to act fast to avoid missing a shot.

It's worth noting that the LCD featured on the lens barrel comes in incredibly useful for astrophotography in particular, since it allows you to make necessary adjustments to your settings without needing to use a headlamp.

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Best widely compatible prime

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Design: Our review of the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is positively glowing, and we awarded the lens a full five stars. That said, one of the first things we noticed is just how heavy this lens is. Weighing 2.58lbs (1.17kg), it's much heavier than many other lenses on the market, and so if you're shooting handheld you may get tired of holding it very quickly. However, that weight speaks to how well made the lens is: It's built to last, and packs incredible optical quality.

If you're shooting astro, you'll likely be using a tripod anyway, so that extra weight shouldn't be too much of a factor. It's worth overlooking if you care about capturing beautiful photos, because the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is more than capable of delivering outstanding results.

As an added benefit, the lens is fully weather-sealed, so if you find yourself shooting in bad weather, you don't need to worry about damaging your equipment. One thing to note, though, is that due to the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art's front element being big and rounded, you can't use any filters on the front.

Performance: Optical performance is where this lens excels, providing incredible image quality. The chromatic aberration (color fringing) is minimal even when shooting at wide apertures and you won't have any significant issues with image distortion — something which certainly cannot be said for all ultra-wide lenses.

Even at its widest f/1.8 aperture, the stars remain sharp and clear all across the frame. However, closing the aperture slightly can help minimize distortion in the corners of the image frame when you're shooting wide open.

As far as ultra-wide lenses go, the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is close to unbeatable in terms of its performance and quality.

• Read our full Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art review

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Best Canon RF lens

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Design: The Canon RF 15-25mm f/2.8 IS USM has a simple and sleek design, with just two buttons to operate the autofocus/manual focus and stabilizer. It has the same shape down the entire length of the lens barrel, so it's easy to store away in whatever camera bag you use.

This lens has a large 82mm filter thread at the front, allowing you to attach screw-in filters directly without the need for an adapter. We particularly liked how smoothly and quietly the focal length and focus rings operate, making it excellent for shooting time-lapses and recording videos.

Performance: In our Canon RF 15-25mm f/2.8 IS USM review, we tested the lens out with the Canon EOS R6 camera and were extremely impressed with the results. The autofocusing speed was excellent and the lens produced super sharp images. We only noticed a tiny amount of sharpness dropping off right at the very edge of the frame, and that's only when we were shooting wide open at f/2.8.

When we reviewed the images we took, we observed a minor chromatic aberration at the edge of the image, but it was only noticeable when zoomed in to 400%. While this isn't perfect, especially for astrophotographers shooting with wide apertures, the overall image quality remained stunning.

Functionality: Unlike most of the other lenses we've included in this guide, the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM is a zoom lens. It has a range of 15-35mm, so it's versatile as well as great for astrophotography. It's wide enough for gorgeous panoramic landscape shots and capturing the night sky, but can also be used for detailed close-ups.

We love the strong image stabilization offered by this lens too: It provides five stops on its own, and if you're using a Canon RF mount camera with its own in-body stabilization, that goes up to eight stops. If you're planning on using it handheld, that's a gamechanger.

• Read our full Canon RF 15-25mm f/2.8 IS USM review

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Best Sony prime lens

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Design: In our review of the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 G Master lens, we really liked the clickable aperture ring option, which allows for easy aperture adjustment even in situations where the screen isn't very visible, for example if you shoot from low angles. However, it's worth noting that you can't use filters on the front of the lens due to the bulbous front element, so any filters will need to be attached to the back of the lens.

A big selling point of the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 G Master lens is that it's unbelievably lightweight for a 14mm ultra-wide lens. At only 1.01 lbs (460g), it's 2.5x lighter than Sigma's 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art lens and doesn't look at all out of place on a full-frame camera body. This featherweight design makes it a dream to use, particularly if you like having the option of shooting handheld.

Performance: During our testing, we've had exceptional results from the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM. The images produced are clean and sharp, full of beautiful colors and contrast, and even when shooting at the widest aperture of f/1.8, there have been no signs of barrelling, chromatic aberration or distortion. We did notice a small amount of vignetting, however, but that can easily be fixed in post-processing.

Aside from its incredible sharpness, we also love the bokeh and dramatic sun star effects that the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM is able to capture at apertures down to f/4. Because of this, we've found it to be a very versatile lens, suitable for both daytime shooting and astro work.

Functionality: This lens excels in low light thanks to its fast f/1.8 aperture, which allows you to use longer shutter speeds in order to capture things like star trails. The wide angle lets you capture large areas of sky as well as easy close-up shots during the day alongside its effective autofocus. The only thing it lacks is image stabilization, but with many cameras featuring in-body stabilization these days, this may not be a dealbreaker.

• Read our full Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM review

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Best for versatility

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Design: The Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM is another lens from Sigma's 'Art' range, which is renowned for its optical quality and high-class engineering. This lens is optimized for full-frame cameras and has the robust build quality we've come to expect from Sigma lenses. It features smooth zoom and focus rings, and its autofocus is both fast and almost silent, making it great for daytime shooting and video recording.

When we reviewed the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM, we noted the similarity to Sigma's 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art lens. However, the f/2.8 version has the advantage of a 14mm to 24mm zoom range, increasing its versatility for various types of photography.

There are many mounting options available with this lens. It's primarily compatible with Nikon and Canon cameras, but if you have the Canon version, you can also use it on the Sony E-Mount system with Sigma's MC-11 mount converter.

Performance: The Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM delivers vibrant and sharp images with clean star rendering across the frame and little-to-no chromatic aberration even at its widest f/2.8 aperture. Sigma claims that there's absolutely no image distortion on the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM ART lens, which is a bold statement to make, but after testing it extensively, we have to admit is true.

Functionality: This is a zoom lens with a range of 14-24mm, giving it a bit more versatility than some of the other lenses we've selected in this guide. It does have a downside, however, in that its maximum aperture is a little narrower than others, but that's true of most zoom lenses. That said, with f/2.8 maximum aperture, the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM is still more than wide enough for astrophotography, even if it doesn't let in quite as much light as an f/1.8 or f/1.4 would. The extra functionality given by the zoom is a good trade-off; whether it's worthwhile is up to you and the type of photography you shoot.

• Read our full Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM review

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Best Canon EF lens

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Design: Coming from Canon's 'L' line of lenses, you know you're getting an incredibly high quality lens here. The range is a favorite among photographers, so whether you're already a pro or just starting out, the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM will stay in your camera bag for a long time to come.

The third iteration of this particular lens from Canon, the Mark III, improves on its predecessor in numerous ways. It's a fast and precise lens thanks to the USM autofocus system; you'll probably prefer to use manual focusing when shooting astro, but it's a welcome feature which makes the lens suitable for daytime use too.

Despite having a focal range that spans 20mm of versatility, the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM has a constant aperture of f/2.8, which is more than enough for astrophotography, but far from the highest in this guide.

Performance: This lens can effectively fix chromatic aberration and distortion, although very meticulous users might detect slight distortions at the extreme corners of the image. However, you'd only notice this when closely inspecting the entire image at high magnification (often known as pixel peeping), so it's unlikely to be a major concern for most users.

The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM's performance isn't flawless, but considering the f/2.8 design, it's remarkably impressive and far superior to cheaper lenses. Despite the higher price, this lens excels at capturing exceptional wide-field images of the night sky.

Functionality: During our Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM review, we found it to be a major improvement over the Mk II in terms of image quality. Canon has greatly improved the autofocus system, diaphragm, and optics, allowing this lens to produce sharper images at the edges of the frame, even at the widest aperture settings and focal length.

Sadly, these upgrades have come at the expense of dropping the image stabilization, but this likely won't bother astrophotographers since it would need to be switched off for long exposure shooting at night anyway — not to mention the camera would also likely be on a tripod.

• Read our full Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM review

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Best APS-C Sony lens

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Design: Despite being made of plastic, the Sony E 11mm f/1.8 lens feels well-built and sturdy. The focus ring is smooth and easy to use, and the glass is set back a bit, making it less bulbous than other lenses. This allows you to easily attach a flat lens cap or front filters, which can't be said for some other wide-angle lenses. The only slight niggle we had with the design was that the lens hood is visible in the field of view when it's attached, which makes it a bit redundant.

The lens is remarkably lightweight at only 6.4 oz (181g), making it convenient to toss into your camera bag and carry around without feeling the extra weight. The lens includes an autofocus/manual focus switch (although we found it a bit stiff to operate) and a custom button, which we thought was a nice extra feature.

Performance: In our Sony E 11mm f/1.8 review, we were very impressed with the image quality of this lens. The images are impeccably sharp all the way to the edge, and there's hardly any of the barrelling or lens distortion that you often find in ultra-wide-angle lenses.

While the Sony E 11mm f/1.8 is ideal for landscape photography too, we think this lens really shines in astrophotography. During our testing, we used it for long exposure shots, keeping the shutter open for 25 seconds, and the stars stayed brilliantly sharp with no sign of star trails. Considering the price of this lens, that's a fantastic result.

Functionality: For daytime shooting, we particularly appreciated the autofocus and tracking, which are great at detecting and following both human and animal eyes. With an aperture ranging from f/1.8 to f/16, this lens works well in different conditions. It's also fully weather-sealed to protect against dust and water, which is especially handy considering the lens hood issue.

The main thing to note is that you don't get any image stabilization with this lens, so it may not be the ideal choice for those looking to shoot videos or use longer shutter speeds handheld.

• Read our full Sony E 11mm f/1.8 review

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Best APS-C DSLR lens

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Design: The Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 is available in both Canon EF-mount and Nikon DX F-mount versions, and manages to find a perfect balance between being smooth, sleek and lightweight, while also feeling robust.

Holding this lens with one hand is comfortable, despite its large 82mm filter thread. Switching between manual and automatic focusing is simple: you just pull down the zoom ring, which is a nice change from the tricky switches on other lenses. The focus and zoom rings are close to the barrel, keeping the design sleek, and they have a textured pattern for a secure grip, even when you're wearing gloves in colder weather.

Performance: In our Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 review we were very pleased with the image quality on offer here for the price. You're able to get very sharp images throughout the zoom range and there's very little optical distortion, with lines remaining straight even when shooting at 11mm.

We noticed some chromatic aberration, especially around high-contrast areas like stars, and there was noticeable vignetting when shooting wide open at f/2.8. While these problems can be corrected during editing and aren't too severe considering the price of the lens, those wanting better image quality might consider investing in a pricier lens.

Functionality: The manual focus of the Tokina atx-i 11-20 f/2.8 is very precise — and we were pleased to find that the infinity marker on the ring matches almost perfectly with the manual focus to infinity. It's not always the case with other lenses, so it's nice to see. There is autofocus too, of course, but it's a little slower than more expensive lenses — and it can be noisy in motion.

• Read our full Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 review

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Best Nikon DSLR lens

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Although it's only compatible with F-mount Nikon bodies, this ultra-wide lens makes a great choice for astrophotography or general shooting thanks to its flexible focal length, fast f/2.8 aperture and razor-sharp results.

Design: The lens has a straightforward design, with a single switch to toggle between manual and automatic focusing modes, and the rubberized grips on the focal length and focus rings make it easy to handle in low light or while wearing gloves. The metal mount adds to its durability, and Nikon has included rubber seals and an integrated lens hood to protect the lens. At 2.2 lbs (998g), it's not the lightest option available, but its build quality is top-notch.

Performance: In our Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 ED review, we found that no matter what focal length and aperture we shot at, we got consistently sharp, beautiful results. We barely noticed any chromatic aberration and the sharpness doesn't drop off at all. There's a small amount of vignetting, but that can be easily removed when editing.

The Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 ED is great for using in all lighting conditions, but it works extremely well in low light. Thanks to the focal length flexibility here, it's useful for all kinds of situations alongside astrophotography.

Functionality: This lens offers fast and dependable autofocus thanks to Nikon's Silent Wave Motor technology and Internal Focusing. This design makes the lens quieter because it doesn't rotate while focusing. Additionally, the lens includes a Nano Crystal Coat to scatter light and reduce flaring, resulting in clearer images.

• Read our full Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 ED review

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Best budget lens

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Design: Although this South Korean-made lens is one of the cheapest models out there, we gave it four out of five stars in our Rokinon/Samyang 14mm f/2.8 review, so it has well and truly earned its place on our list of the best lenses for astrophotography.

Adjusting the aperture is easy with the manual ring located near the lens base. However, this setup means there's no electronic connection between the lens and the camera, so image data won't be transmitted with your photos. Despite being made of plastic, the lens body is still strong and lightweight.

Astrophotography can be costly, especially since it often demands specialized lenses with wide maximum apertures, which tend to be more expensive due to the size and quality of the glass. Luckily, the Rokinon/Samyang 14mm f/2.8 offers an impressive and wallet-friendly alternative.

The primary reason for the affordability of this lens is that it's entirely manual, meaning you have to manually adjust both the focus and the aperture. While manual focus is typical in astrophotography and doesn't present any problems, it might be less convenient for daytime shooting or capturing moving subjects.

Performance: We've found a slight decrease in sharpness when you're shooting with the Rokinon/Samyang 14mm f/2.8 with the aperture as wide as it can go (f/2.8). As a result, there's a small but noticeable amount of distortion and vignetting, but they're issues that you should be able to fix in post processing with no real problem.

Overall, though, this Rokinon/Samyang lens does a great job of capturing the stars, particularly considering its low price. We think this is a great choice if you're a newcomer to astrophotography and don't necessarily want to spend a huge amount. It'll certainly let you test the waters, and capture some excellent results while doing so.

• Read our full Rokinon/Samyang 14mm f/2.8 review

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Best lenses for astrophotography: Frequently Asked Questions

How we tested the best lenses for astrophotography

At Space.com, we understand that it can be difficult to find the right camera lens for your needs. That's why we put every lens through a rigorous review process to ensure that we provide you with honest and up-to-date recommendations. Our expert staff and knowledgeable freelance contributors test each lens based on a variety of factors including its construction, design, optical performance, and usability.

Each lens is evaluated based on its price point, class, and intended use so that we can provide you with the most relevant and accurate information. We take into account the latest imaging technology, as well as the lens's weight and portability, to help you make an informed decision.

If necessary, we'll also suggest other equipment that might enhance your viewing experience, such as lens hoods or filters. At Space.com, we are committed to providing reliable and transparent buying advice. Our reviews and buying guides are completely editorially independent, ensuring that you can trust us to provide you with the best possible information, whether you decide to make a purchase or not.