Had to pick between a cheap zoom lens and a prime for my astro shots

Last month I was stuck choosing between a used 18-200mm for $150 or a new 50mm f/1.8 for $125. I went with the prime cause I figured faster glass would help with stars. Turns out the field of view was way too tight for Milky Way shots here in Arizona. I got some decent single-star pics but missed the wide shot entirely. Anyone else regret going with a shorter lens for nightscapes?

2 comments

2 Comments

reese_garcia6d ago

Bought a fast wide prime and never looked back honestly.

gray_patel6d ago

So your friend ever make the same mistake with a zoom lens? My buddy down in Tucson borrowed a 18-200mm for a trip to the Grand Canyon, thought it would be perfect for everything. He ended up shooting the whole night at the long end and got nothing but blurry smudges cause he cranked the ISO too high trying to keep it fast. @reese_garcia is right about the wide prime, but even a fast zoom can work if you know your limits. I passed that 50mm advice onto my friend but he still swears by his kit lens for stars, which is wild to me.