I looking for cheap lens for astrophotography with my unmodified Canon EOS 6D.

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Makár Dávid avatar
Hello! 

I need some advice with lenses.

I need a cheap lens like 70-200mm F/4L USM for learning Deep Sky astrophotography?
My budget is 500$
What do you think about this lens?
Do you have any other suggestions?

My equipment:
Canon EOS 6D
Skywatcher Star Adventurer 2i
Sabine Leidinger avatar
Hi,

do you want to get a new or a used one?

I had also heard good things about that lens, got myself a used one and it was a total fail 
if you get a used one, test it before you buy it 

+ here some food for thought:
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM

Example:
https://www.astrobin.com/am5c8g/
kuechlew avatar
Hi, 

the Samying 135mm f2 lens is a classic. I doubt you find a cheaper lens with as many top picks and even image of the day awards: Search - AstroBin
 (Of course the honor goes to the photographer not the lens)

Have fun and clear skies
Wolfgang
Ian McIntyre avatar
I started with a DSLR/Lens option. I went with a used EF300mm f4l I purchased from an Ebay vendor in Japan for about $600. I'm happy with the lens and feel like it was a good option to do both astro and daytime photography. That being said, after 7 months, I wish I had purchased a similar focal length refractor instead. I would probably go with something like this that falls within your budget.   https://www.highpointscientific.com/telescopes/refracting-telescopes/apertura-60m-fpl-53-doublet-apo-refracting-telescope-60edr

You will need the t-adapter which is about $20. And from what I know, consider a field flattener. 

If you are committed to a lens, I would avoid zoom. You can actually find a 200mm f2.8l for around your budget if you are willing to do used.
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Yusra Q. avatar
Samyang 135mm f2 is the best one in that budget. 

I own both Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM and samyang 135mm. Samyang is sharper and the focus grip also holds well. But its a manual lens which is not an issue to be honest.
Steven avatar
Would agree with the others, the Samyang 135 seems to be best for your budget. A lot of astrophotographers keep one of these lenses in the back pocket, for good reason. I'm still hoping to get one eventually. 

Something that could perhaps work is a cheap APO scope. Like a TS Optic 60/360 photoline
(although you might be pushing your budget as you'd need a flattener and also pushing the limits of the Star adventurer due to weight)
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Ian McIntyre avatar
the Samying 135mm f2 lens is a classic.

Looking through his images, he already has the Canon L version of that lens.
Well Written
Chase Newtson avatar
Since you already own a 135mm lens by the looks of it, I'd maybe look into the TPO 180 Ultrawide?  It is $400, so towards the top of that budget, but it includes its own field flattener/reducer, is light weight and shouldn't need any more adapters outside of a T-ring for your camera.  It will also have no problem working with your full frame camera as well.  The front is also threaded to take 2-inch filters, which could be of use if you need a light pollution filter.  At a focal length of 180mm (with reducer/flattener on), it may not have the reach you are going for, but it is a nice triplet design, which is ideal for astrophotography.

https://optcorp.com/products/tpo-ultra-wide-180-astrophotography-lens?variant=32007173898309

I love mine, you could also look at the Askar FMA 180, They are the same scope.

And if you take the jump into a larger mount and telescope setup, the TPO (Or Askar) can work as a good guide scope as well.
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andrea tasselli avatar
If I were to put my money on a Canon lens I'd go with this:

Canon EF II 200mm F/2.8 L II USM

Used it's going to be within the target budget.