The short answer is yes, you can use a 50mm lens for astrophotography. The lens can render sharp images of the moon, constellations, and other bright objects in the night sky. It can also be a great choice for capturing landscape astrophotography or photographing the Milky Way as part of a wide scene.
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Generally, a 50mm lens is a standard prime lens owned by many photographers, making it a convenient and cost-effective option for capturing images of the night sky. However, you may experience some limitations using it for astrophotography.
One of the main limitations you may face when using a 50mm prime lens for astrophotography is its narrower field of view when compared to a wide-angle lens. The lens will only capture a narrower portion or section of the night sky, which means you won’t be able to capture as many stars or as much of the Milky Way as you will with a wide-angle or telephoto lens.
In addition, a 50mm lens may not have an aperture wide enough to gather much light to capture faint stars or other deep-sky objects. A typical 50mm lens, like the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G, has an aperture of f/1.8, which is adequate for most night sky situations, but you will need to increase your ISO setting if you want to capture fine details in the starry sky.
Generally, higher ISO settings or numbers often result in images with high-level noise and low qualities. So we do not recommend clicking night sky objects with a high ISO number. You may read our article- What ISO Should I Use For Astrophotography?– to get an insight into the best ISO setting for astrophotography
Despite these limitations and a few others not mentioned, a 50mm lens is still a great option for astrophotography. As with a wide-angle angle lens, the 50mm prime lens is handy and suitable for beginners starting night sky shooting.
Some 50mm prime or normal lenses are ideal and highly recommended for shooting nebulae that spread across the night sky with a pale light. Also, some have great angles of view, which are highly suitable for aiming at the brightest and densest parts of the Milky Way.
If you are planning to use a 50mm lens for astrophotography, we recommend you:
- Find a dark location with minimal light pollution
- Use a sturdy tripod to avoid camera shake and blurry photos
- Experiment with different camera settings and shooting angles
- Click multiple images of the night sky
When not to use a 50mm lens for astrophotography?
Avoid using a 50mm lens if you’re aiming to capture an expensive view of the night sky. This lens has a narrower field of view, which doesn’t allow for capturing broad landscapes or Milky Way Panoramas.
Is a 50mm lens good for astrophotography?
A 50mm lens is good for astrophotography. But it may not be suitable for capturing all night sky objects. Its narrower field of view limits the amount of the night sky it can capture in a single frame or shot.
However, a 50mm lens is still a great choice for capturing certain large and bright celestial objects, such as the moon and constellations. Ultimately, the suitability of a 50mm lens for astrophotography will depend on the specific type of night sky object you are interested in and the conditions in which you are shooting.
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Can you shoot the Milky Way with 50mm?
Yes, you can photograph the Milky Way with a 50mm lens. However, the clarity of your photograph will depend on several factors, including the aperture of your lens, your camera type, and the lighting and weather conditions in your shooting location.
We suggest you use a lens with a wide aperture, such as f/1.4, f/1.8, or f/2.8 if you want to capture high-quality images of the Milky Way. By using such a lens, more light will flow into your camera, making it easier for you to capture the dim light of the stars.
Additionally, we recommend using a camera with good low-light performance and high ISO capabilities. This will help you to minimize noise and capture as much detail as possible. You may also need a tripod to keep your camera steady during the long exposure times required when clicking celestial objects.
In conclusion, you can do astrophotography with a 50mm lens. You can even use it to photograph the Milky Way. However, the quality of your final images will depend on your experience, shooting techniques, and equipment.