The other day I watched your 24mm F1.8S review & I knew 24mm wouldn't cut for your photography. I was decently surprised by the you-tube algorithm recommending your 20 mm f1.8S lens review. I cared less for the lens review, because I came for beautiful nightscape images. Great work!
Not a lens review you said:-) I think this is how a lens review should be. Your pictures really show what this lens is capable of when used by a master. Always looking forward to new videos from you. Stay safe. Greetings from Norway!
I've had an order in on this lens foe quite some time, so I'm very glad to hear your positive review and to see some of your photos. Thanks, Richard for your generous help.
Hey Tom, thanks so much for checking the video out. I absolutely love this lens and in fact I reckon I've produced my best work with it in the fast few weeks.
A tip to get rid of the focus bar... Don't set the lens to manual focus. If you disable focus activation on the shutter button it shouldn't be a problem. You just have to avoid pressing the AF-ON button. Great video.
I stumbled across your channel today, Richard, since I've got the 20 mm f/1.8 in my sites. You've really inspired me to spread out into nightscape photography.
Beautiful images Richard, and think you and I both agree, this is an outstanding lens. Stay safe, perhaps one day we can go astro shooting together, I have never done it before and would love to try. Cheers Matt
Hi Richard - wow - stunning images! Just moved up to full frame to Z6, and the 20mm 1.8S is particularly attracting me. Will be shooting Northern Lights later in the year, and in the past used a Tokina 11-16mm on cropped frame Nikon - what is your comment on a prime lens at 20mm full frame for this subject?
Thanks so much for watching. Yes I've shot plenty of auroras at 20mm. But if you want to capture more sky then you can always do a simple panorama to extend the field of view. The big advantage of the 20mm is the wide f1.8 aperture. You won't always need it . .but when you do it's a life saver.
Wow.... what a great info about the infinity focusing and hope to try it out someday. :) Thank you so very much for sharing, Sir. Anyway I did share how you did all the stacking through the sequator on my FB but I can't find it now and maybe I have shared many of your RUclips..... Now I need to search back..... :) Appreciate so much what you have done and thanks again, Sir.
Richard, My kind of review! Real Imagery. Man, I would love to see a video on how you did the Milky-Way 3-Row Pano, especially what tools were used, and how you moved into positions, sequence, and amount of overlap and any special processing that was used. I think it would be well received. I just got the Nikkor 24mm f1.8 S lens for my Z6, kind of wished I would have waited for the 20mm. I do have a 14mm Rokinon that is sharp.
Good stuff Leon, thanks for watching my friend. I have a few videos on panos but I don't think I've ever actually gone into the post processing of them at this stage.
Cant wait to see what you get in New Zealand mate. When you can get there that is. Its such a great place for photography, you will smash it with your nightscapes.
I love your work, Richard. I just stumbled onto your channel because I was looking for a review of this lens. I shoot a Z6 as well. I absolutely love the dreamy look you are getting with stacking. Can you link me to a video to show how you do that?
Hi Richard, lovely images and a great video to match. I'm currently using the Nikon Z5. I've had some great results during the day with the camera but the noise on the screen for anything Astro related is so annoying. I can't focus properly on a star due to the noise issue, have you experienced anything like this or have you any tips that could solve the problem moving forward? Thanks in advance.
Ok, that should be fine. Noise is something we have to get used to with astro photography. You can use de-noise programs like Topaz with good results. Have a look at this video regarding focusing. ruclips.net/video/lqYf2w_BAQ8/видео.html As an aside to all of this I've had the best experience seeing the screen clearly with the Nikon Z system using the native Nikon Z f1.8 prime lenses. @@ogie7488
Absolutely brilliant review Richard! Interesting that the focus automatically goes to infinity when turning on. That’s actually a great feature I had no idea about. The coma isn’t bad at all. Of course a beautiful set of images! Looks like I’m going to have to pick this up for the z6!
Thanks heaps Mike. I had read about this "feature" but mostly people didn't like it. I've found it to be a very handy thing. I reckon it would really suit your vlogging at 20mm.
I have this lens coming and looking forward to using it at night. Also looking forward to your online Nightscape workshop. Got the pdf file downloaded and sent something your way.
Thanks so much for watching Mira. I actually have 3 x Z6 cameras and I did recently get one of them modified. However none of the images you saw in this video were shot with that one.
Greetings from "up over" in the Emerald Isle. Greatvideo, Richard. Greater still that you give the details of your exposures; ISO, f#, sec. Really helpful.
Thanks so much for watching Paul. I really wanted to show as many images taken with this lens and so that's why there are lots of images. I'm pleased you like it.
Great video love your photo gallery walk, looking forward to more photo from the new lens. Thanks for your time , I've derided my 1300d for astro, the m50 for every day .plan to get a L lens was set for July ,corona has set this back
Hi Richard, love your channel. I thought I would share something you probably already know. Fly By Wire comes from the aviation world. Originally all air planes had mechanical connections to the flight surfaces and engines. When they started to use electronics for control them, they called it Fly By Wire. The term is now used everywhere it seams. Thanks again for all the great information, and encouragement.
I’m looking forward to get my hands on this lens. I am also transitioning to the Z system. I have the D810 with various Nikon, Tamron, and Sigma lenses. Recently purchased the Z6, and It is hard to go back to DSLR. The compactness of the Z system is ideal for those who hike with their camera for landscape photos. I have the Sigma 20 mm art lens, and that one is heavy. Plus, the bulbous glass required a special filter adaptor and 100 mm x 100 mm filter. This 20 mm f1.8 s is going to be my main lens for my adventures. Fast for nightscapes, and about the right focal length for vast landscapes. Thank you for the review.
@@nightscapeimages.richard I just got my 20mm f/1.8 s. Now, waiting for Pacific Northwest skies to clear up. I recommend a Bhatinov mask to make focusing on the stars a lot easier. They are really cheap. I have one attached to a cheap 77mm UV filter.
Really nice video and excellent shots! The 20mm S looks great in terms of sharpness and coma. I have the Sigma 14 but I'd like something a little tighter to go with it. I think this 20mm might be the ticket. Thanks for the video!
Excellent set of images you showed during this video. Glad that you are happy with the lens. Anything that improves your workflow is always appreciated, it is amazing how the small hassles using something adds to much to the frustration.
Thanks Richard ..I have the 14-30 F4 S lens and took my first shot at the Southern Cross and related stars and the results wide open @ 20 secs @ ISO 6400 @ 20mm were GREAT for a first attempt at Astro. but with the 20mm I am sure they would be even better.
Excellent images just brilliant 👏👏 I really need to get out but in these tough times it's virtually impossible for me the do so luckily your videos take some of the itch away 👍
So my Milky Way photo’s definitely dont look as amazing as yours . Im in Minnesota., probably not in the darkest skies ., is there an edit video strictly for the Milky Way ? I love yours. And truthfully, I am new to this & pretty much assuming my editing is VERY primitive … 😵💫. Thank you for all your amazing work ., I am blown away !!!!!
Thanks again for watching. I have many editing videos. See this playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLAYKmqkUeSM9eXVRj3boNPWRTSgYIShUh and also this one: ruclips.net/p/PLAYKmqkUeSM_ovfT8k7ifk26X4zjeqJWb
Wow, awesome results. I already wanted this lens, and your video definitely didn't quench that desire ;) More importantly you made me want to run out and do more night photography with the equipment I already have. Thanks a lot, keep up the great work :)
Hi Richard. Glad to see you have your latest piece of photography goodness :) Several weeks back we discussed available lens options for nightscape shooting for my Sony as I wanted more than the 24-70 f2.8. Neither option was entirely what I wanted since Sony had no 20 mm f1.8 lens. I certainly agreed with your preference of the 2 possibilities and decided I would order a Sigma Art 20mm f1.4 despite the filter unfriedly convex lens front. Funny thing is about 6 hours after you gave your recommendation (which I felt certain would be the most appropriate choice) Sony then announced the release of a 20mm f1.8. Huh - timing is everything. Put my order in the next morning. Have had it for 16 days now and early results look brilliant.
Thanks very much for watching Victor. I actually have a whole playlist of editing and post processing videos here: ruclips.net/p/PLAYKmqkUeSM_ovfT8k7ifk26X4zjeqJWb
Thanks for that real world overview what that lens can do. 😍 WOW 😍, specially for that image at 24:00. Can you please make a video of that workflow? Or do you already have one you may link to?
Thanks very much Roland, I appreciate your kind words. The image at 24 minutes is simply a blended sky with a couple of foreground light painted images. This workflow is explained in a lot of my videos. See here: ruclips.net/video/zy3GY019jI4/видео.html or here: ruclips.net/video/fq0r33y-IPU/видео.html
Hey ritchard, another great review, I have a question regarding the 20mm 1.8g lens, is there a great deal of quality difference between the 2, I'm getting the z6ii very soon, but I'm debating what to do for the best, do I purchase the 20mm 1.8g, or hold out for the s and keep saving, I'm leaning towards the 1.8g for the time being, but if it's a huge loss in quality I may hold off. Cheers.
Allo ! I'm back !!! I was late listening to your great videos. Time to make it up. Again, wonderful informations given and especially on the S-Lens which I don't have yet. I'll be following your advice, when time ($$$$) comes and buy the 20mm ! I sometimes find that the sliding of F-lens on the adaptor is not as smooth as it could be even if it works properly. I guess a native lens would do a great and better job. As for night photography of Milky Way, we are getting rid of snow and winter but it still difficult to go outside sometimes as the weather and clouds don't cooperate. Thank you again for all this great and wonderful information. Greetings from Québec !
A little late to the party, but between you and Hudson Henry waxing poetical about this lens for night sky photography I’m pretty convinced. Do you know of any valid alternative in the 3rd party market?
Wow, love your work and it has inspired me to give it a go, I stumbled on your channel the other day and can't keep away, Would a cree L2 tactical zoom torch be suitable to use for basic light painting? I'm in the UK but luckily away from the big cities to avoid excess light pollution, shooting on a Nikon D700 with 24-70 f2.8 lens, that be an acceptable set up to try what you are a master in, thanks Alan.
Thanks so much for watching the videos Alan, I really appreciate it. I'm not so familiar with that particular torch but you can use most torches. I don't like extra bright torches as they easily blow out the subjects if your not careful. The other thing to consider is that most LED torches cast a very blue coloured beam. That's why I usually use a 1/2 cto gel on the front of my torch .. to balance the colour back to normal. You should be fine with the D700 and 24-70 f2.8 Alan.
Debating going with the 14-24 2.8 or this 20mm 1.8 for nightscapes... If I had to pick one do you think I’ll miss the benefit of being able to shoot at 14 mm? Or do you think being a new lens and being a 1.8 is better? Thank you for this amazing video.
Hey Charlie. I have the Nikon 14-24 f2.8 and hardly use it these days. I much prefer the 20mm focal length. Having said that, I do a lot of focus stacking and blending in my images and this helps alleviate any soft focus issues you may have with the slightly longer focal length at 20mm for subjects that are close to the camera. The 14-24 is an awesome lens but now that I'm using the Z cameras I much prefer their native "S" lenses. As yet they don't have an f2.8 wide angle so I'll wait and dee down the track. I really love the ability to open up to f1.8 .. it really makes a difference.
Stunning details really good lens. I really miss my photography. Richard how far you have to go from your home to avoid light pollution and also the location to shoot milky way?
Thanks so much for watching Janette. No this 20mm f1.8S lens will not fit the Nikon D750 at all. It's only made for the mirrorless Z mount cameras. The other lens I show in the video will fit the D750 without any adaptor. Nikon 20mm f1.8G.
Another great video, thankyou. I am starting out doing Astro timelapses on my Fuji XT20. I am looking to upgrade to full frame for the low performance and dynamic range. I am undecided between Nikon z6 & 20mm 1.8 and Sony A7iii & 20mm 1.8. I see you use the Nikon z6 to create your work. Could you offer any advise on why you chose the Nikon z6 route?
Thanks for watching Martin. Both the Z6 and A7iii would be exceptional cameras for nightscapes .. . very similar performance. I have always had Nikon cameras so it was a natural choice to go for the Z6. I think it comes down to what feels best ergonomically for you. I love the Nikon menu system but I'm sure the Sony has other features which are excellent as well.
Love this review Richard, and the results you have achieved . This lens is likely to be the first native Z mount lens I buy. Only recently discovered your channel, curious if you have made a video on your star minimisation technique. Looking forward to working thru your back catalog.
Thanks so much for tuning in Greg. I touch on the star minimisation in this video .. nothing much different to what others are doing. ruclips.net/video/zy3GY019jI4/видео.html
another awesome video mate and nonsense about gee the corners that you talked about i would love to have corners like that keep it goin mate we will all get through this hiccup in time some of the lens that you talk about look so good will start to give MRS CLAUSE in the next room some hints take care mate catch ya in the future cheers bobby j.
This lens is definitely on my wish list. Thanks for a fantastic review of this lens for the particular use case. I'm also someday coming in one of your workshops -probably would have been this year, but there you go. Tell me, is the Z6 (I or II) or Z7 (I or II) better for astro? I have the Z6, but am considering adding a Z7 II.
Thanks a lot for watching Geoffrey. I think the mk 2 version of these cameras will be better overall .. but from what I see the sensor is the same so probably no better image quality. Most likely improvements in ergonomics and 2 card slots etc.
Thanks for watching Andrew. Yes you are correct, you will fit more in with a 14mm and there are plenty of times where that is important .. however I really like the faster aperture I can get at f1.8 to the majority of 14mm lenses .. also there is far less distortion and therefore my foreground objects look much better. That's another reason I really like the 35mm and even 50mm focal lengths. Appreciate your comments.
Thank you so much Richard, your review confirms exactly what I thought about this lens. I believe with the Z mount lenses Nikon are really ahead of the game. Waiting now to receive my copy of the lens and can't wait to test it myself out in the field.
Ahead of the game? I think they are way behind Sony and canon in terms of a lens offering, and I'm a royal Nikon shooter and have been shooting nikon for the last 25 years
Can you get out this week to shoot the Supermoon Richard? Our borders are shut here in WA but we can’t travel too far in the state restrictions in place but we’re not in lockdown yet, so hopefully I can get out to shoot it. Any tips would be welcome mate. 👍
Hello from Lithuania! Thank you very much for the interesting review! I am also looking forward to my 20mm 1.8s for astrophoto. I want to ask two questions. The old 20mm 1.8g has a well-seen coma even with f / 2.8. What 20mm 1.8s aperture has such a coma? How much light can you have?And have you noticed more vignetting on the new 20mm 1.8s than on the old. According to tests, the new Z lenses have more vignetting.
Thanks so much for watching my channel, really appreciate that. There is certainly some coma on this new lens but I would suggest it's pretty much gone by f2.8. The old 20mm f1.8G has coma as well as you have suggested but to be honest it isn't a deal breaker for me especially when stacking for noise reduction. I have found that the stacking software helps remove coma. In that case you can shoot this lens wide open at f1.8. As far as vignetting, yes it's there but again this is not an issue for me as I really like the slight fall off towards the edges of my nightscape images. Hope that's helpful.
Very cool, I love your videos. Been looking at that lens for my Z6. Your stacking is awesome, but seems really difficult. Looks like you can do pretty well with a single image and that lens
Thanks for watching Ivoyger. Put it this way, I haven't had to focus this 20mm lens on infinity for any of the shots I've taken this year . .and that's a lot of images.
Richard, great information and pictures. This was a very timely video for me. I live in the USA and Milky Way season is just beginning here. I literally have no experience shooting the Milky Way and I am getting ready to purchase my first lens for that sole purpose. I have been a landscape photographer for 12 plus years and last August got rid of all my old APS-C gear and bought the Z6 and a used D810. I truly do not have any fast glass to shoot the stars. I went out last September one night at the end of the Milky Way season and used my Z6 and the kit lens and was fairly surprised at what I could capture. I have been looking at purchasing a Rokinon 14mm F2.4, Irix Blackstone 15mm F2.4, the older Nikon 20mm F1.8, the 35mm 1.8 Z mount Nikon lens, Tamron 15-30 A012 model, 24mm Z6 mount lens and a couple of others. I was really leaning towards the lens that I could put a filter on without having to buy expensive kits to use filters on lenses like he Rokinon and Tamron lens. Not having had experience at Milky Way photography I was worried about getting a really wide lens. I was even worried the Nikon 20mm lens was not wide enough, I can see the old FX 20mm Nikon lens has been one of your favorites. I was really leaning towards that lens or maybe the 24mm Z6 mount Nikon lens. At this stage I know that I don’t know what I don’t know. I have never owned a wide angle lens so I really don’t have the experience to know how much that will do for me. I just finished watching another video you did, Nightscapes Lens Focal Length Comparison. That left me wondering if maybe I was too worried about having a really wide angle lens? The thing is I live in Illinois and I won’t have a lot of great Milky Way places to shoot from. At least ones with great foreground objects in somewhat of a dark area. My ability to do Milky Way photography will be somewhat limited so I really see myself only buying one lens. In your humble opinion for most shots is 20mm wide enough? Do you think the old Nikon 20mm is pretty close to the new Z6 20mm? I assume the older 20mm shoots well on the Z6 using the adapter? Do you have any advice you could offer? I really appreciate it. Thanks, Jerry
Hey Jerry, thanks very much for watching the videos. I also appreciate your question as I think this will help a lot of people. I think that on a full frame camera 20mm is certainly wide enough to shoot great nightscapes. I don't like the distortion you get with ultra wide angle lenses and I find it's no where near as bad at 20mm. The older 20mm f1.8G is still a wonderful lens and I've been shooting with it for years.It's also nice and light weight as demonstrated in this video. I would choose the 20mm f1.8S over the 24mm f1.8S. I also have the 35mm f1.8S and it's great also.
@@nightscapeimages.richard Thank you sir I appreciate your insight, I do have one last question. Would I be smart to buy the Nikon 24mm F1.4 over the 20mm F1.8 for the faster aperture or would it really not make a difference.
@@jerrysanderfield No worries Jerry. The Nikon 24mm f1.4G has a lot more coma than the 20mm f1.8G. I'd go for the 20mm if you want to shoot a lot of nightscapes.
Thanks for another great video.. I have a quick question.. I use a z6ii and recently bought a 35mm 1.8 z mount lens. It doesn't focus to infinity when I restart my camera. Is there any setting that I need to change to make that happen? Thanks in advance!
Great video, how does the Z 20mm f1.8 compare to the Sigma art f1.4 20mm f mount? I have the sigma and about to join it to a Z6ii. Is there much improvement with the Nikkor for astrophotography?
Thanks for watching. The Sigma 20 is a good lens. You will see coma wide open at f1.4-1.8 but after that it's quite good. The Nikon S lens is considerably lighter weight and being native to the Z6ii will perform better. The sigma lens needs the FTZ adaptor which adds to the weight especially as it tips the lens further forward.
Fantastic review of the lens in a practical sense. Which camera did you use the Z6 or Z7? Would also love to know how to stack the images as you have done, are you able to advise how this is done technically or offer some suggestions where I might find a good training resource please? Looking forward to seeing more of your reviews, thanks again. :-)
Thanks a lot Les. I use the Z6. I have a lot of videos showing the stacking technique. See here: ruclips.net/video/3uXHTmwcaFM/видео.html or here: ruclips.net/video/zy3GY019jI4/видео.html
Thank you Richard, I’m about to get this lens, and can’t wait to use it to shoot the sky! Do you happen to have a video on stacking the 10 shots that you typically do? I’ve only done single exposures before.
Thanks Richard for your 2 cents. I am looking forward to replace f mount lenses with Z versions slowly. Not that f glass is bad, but simply because of usage (transfering adapter from one to another lens). Hope you can go out and do things you like the most soon. Keep safe!!!
Great channel - thank you. Have you tried the 15mm laowa yet? I am tossing up between this 20mm and the laowa 15mm so will be very interested in your thoughts when you have had a chance to use it.
Hi Richard - great review thank you! I'm hoping to get up to northern Canada this winter to capture the northern lights on my Z6 so I'm looking for a wide lens. I also plan to shoot video and wondering if I should also be looking at the wider zooms too (14-24 f/2.8 or 14-30 f/4)? This will be a lifelong lens so cost is less of a factor than usability in different scenarios. But the initial focus will be for this trip. Any suggestions or comments? Thanks.
Hey Blaine, thanks so much for watching the video . .I really appreciate it. I've done a test of the new Nikon 14-24 f2.8Z lens and it's fantastic . .but very expensive. You can see that video here: ruclips.net/video/T15BRroMQC4/видео.html I haven't used the 14-30 f4 but it's a very good lens designed primarily for daytime landscape and obviously at f4 isn't as suitable for nightscape shooting. Having said that I have a few friends who use that lens for shooting the milky way and love it. You have to push the iso pretty high to compensate though.
What an awesome lens! Great review Richard. Looks great in the corners. I like gi-normous lens hoods, great in rain and yes stops the mist on lens at night. That's why I like the F mount 24-70mm F2.8 lens, it's huge lens hood compared to the 14-24mm you mentioned. Agree the native glass would probably be better on the Z series. Thanks for sharing the video mate.
Richard you mention in this video a 21 image panorama. I would love to see a video on how you shot the images (specially how you manipulated your tripod) and how you stitched all the images.
Thanks so much for watching Glidden. I don't have a video on this particular location but I do mention some of the steps in the following videos: ruclips.net/video/SAIg6p1o_Qc/видео.html and this one: ruclips.net/video/mRWMsJJJTMM/видео.html
Hi Richard, Just discovered you and after seeing this great video, I've already subscribed. I've enjoyed the video and read all the comments and answers. But I'm still not clear on why you'd chose the Z mount over the F mount. It seems like you don't see a significant difference. Did I get that wrong ? I had read that the F mount has coma at the corners too and had hoped that the Z mount version would have significantly less. Does it ? What is the primary reason you're recommending the much more expensive Z mount ? Note: Like most of us watching, I really already made up my mind for the Z, just looking for the expert reason to justify my gut impression that its going to be worth it. Thanks so much ! Stay well brothers and sisters.
Thanks so much for watching Michael and thanks for your support. Sorry if it wasn't really clear. To be honest I've really enjoyed using the 20mm f1.8G lens on both my D750 and Z6 cameras. It does have coma especially wide open but to be honest that isn't a real concern to me. I've printed dozens of nightscapes taken with this lens and not once have I thought the coma was a concern. The 20mm f1.8S also has coma but I feel it's less than and more controlled than the older G series lens. The S lens is sharper across the frame and it's a native mount, all of those things make it worth while for me using the Z6 as my primary camera. They are both good lenses but the S lens is simply better.
Thanks for the review Richard, since I don't know much of the performance these lenses should have, do you consider the astro performance is good? Is the elongation of the stars due to coma or just the exposure time (star trailing) in this case? Do you think the Sony equivalent is any better? Greetings from an Argentinian in the Netherlands! :)
Thanks a lot for watching Santiago. I think the performance is really good. I haven't used the Sony equivalent but I hear it's also very good. The reason we look into the corners is because that's where you'll see any imperfections in the glass. It may be very sharp in the centre but not so good on the outer edge. Sometimes you see slight trailing on the edge even when the lenses are sharp in the middle. All in all the astro performance of this lens is excellent.
Great video on nightscape as well as on the lens. But you haven,t said if one can keep the 20 mm G lens. I would love to hear your thoughts on this in 2021 when there is 14-24 lens is also out.
Thanks very much for watching Hemant. Yes I like the 20mm f1.8 G lens. I'd been using it on the Nikon Z6 for a long time with excellent results. It's still a great option. You need the FTZ adaptor to use it on the Nikon Z mount cameras though.
@@nightscapeimages.richard Thanks a lot. I have this one and just got Z7ii. I have been thinking of getting a 14-30 S instead of 14-24 S. I would keep on using 20 mm G lens for Astro, and in case of extreme need for wide angles, I can get away with the F4. Hopefully that would be alright.
Hello Richard great video as always 😊 what are your thoughts on the sigma 17-50 f/2.8 ex dc os hsm on a canon EOS Rebel T6/1300d for night sky photography? I'm on a budget so I'm using what I've got to work with and I haven't tried this lens yet.
Thanks for watching Bob. Star minimization is a process whereby you give the brighter stars in the image more prominence by reducing the lesser stars. I go into the method in this video as well as a few others: ruclips.net/video/zy3GY019jI4/видео.html
Hi Richard, many thanks for a great review. It was particularly interesting as it shows the lens in real world situations. The result was only to be expected, I too have a number of S lenses and all are super sharp in comparison to the old F-Mount. I only need to wait for it to be released here in europe, it was supposed to be in March but seems to be delayed. There are only a few examples around, mainly owned by reviewers. Question : could you publish a screenshot of the corners of an F-Mount pic and a Z-Mount at 100% for comparison purposes - in the video it is difficult to see any differences ? I look forward to your new video series.
Thanks a lot David. Yes it is difficult to see any difference on the video. I'll see what I can do. Generally I don't have the exact same image which would make it a bit easier to compare.
@@nightscapeimages.richard I don't think it has to be exactly the same image, it is just to see how th coma and sharpness looks. It would suffice if there were just a number of stars in frame.
Hi Richard, what is your view on using a D850 for more detail rather than the Z6 ? My guess is the D850 noise may affect the image quality quite a bit more.
Hey Duncan, the D850 is a great camera for nightscapes but I don't have any issues with detail on the Z6 .. or even the D750 for that matter. You can't really compare daytime landscape and nightscapes when talking about the final results because there are so many variables. Namely the high iso performance and also the noise reduction techniques. I have plenty of quite large prints from my 24mpx cameras and they are excellent. It would be a different discussion if we were talking about major cropping into our shots though.
Brilliant video, very interest to watch. I just received mine a few days ago and made my first tests out in the field with my Z7. On the Z7 a can only expose 8 sec before the stars starts trailing. I also confirm the sharpness of the lens and the focus right after switching the cam on as well. It is so easy, switch the cam off and on and you are fine. I tried to focus on the screen but I cannot see any stars at all, also not in the viewfinder. Ist there a Camera Problem or some settings wrong? Show adjustments in VF is on. Also I find the exposer-bar on the screen useless. Because if you adjust like shown in the bar, a leveled photo would be at ISO 400, which is pitch dark. Can’t understand this meter!? But these are camera problems, I guess. Maybe you have some ideas about the problems above. I would appreciate your answer.
Thanks very much for watching Markus, really appreciate it. You should have no trouble seeing stars on the screen. Make sure you open up the aperture and bump the iso up over 3200. Make sure you magnify the live view screen to see the stars. The exposure bar is always useless at night . .the camera cannot see in the dark at all. You have to run everything fully manually. I do run through the focusing of the camera in this video. ruclips.net/video/R5jYdAwTpQ0/видео.html
Great review, great work! Your images are stellar! Regarding the F mount lens, i had two of them. Severe coma at f1.8 (not usablle), even at f2.8 i didn't like it. Meanwhile i tryed irix 15mm f2.4, samyang xp 14mm f2.4 wichs is coma free wide open. You only have to deal with vignet. Ragarding the Z mount lens, I had even great expectations. Why? Because is not a cheap lens. I was hopping to see the performance from 2.8 at 1.8 or f2 but i think I will give it a try and buy it anyway. I also have de 24-70 f4, 35 1.8 and 50 1.8 wich is a little bit sharper than 35, and also the best coma performance straight from wide open (almost, almost perfect). P.S. in wich bortle class did you shoot your images?
Jesus christ that lens is incredible 👌 and those images wow 🤙🤙 cant wait to get out. I got a sigma art 24- 35 f2 iv never actually used it for night scape shooting. Iv normally used the 14mm Samyang.
This was such an amazing review, thanks for sharing/ I am planning to buy a lense but confused between Nikon 14-24 F2.8 & Nikon 20mm F1.8, though 14-24 gives me a zoom option but then i am loosing F stops on that when compare to 20mm, your thoughts & also i will be shooting with D500 which is a cropped sensor
Thanks very much Sunny. I think on the D500 you may be better off with a wider angle lens. For general landscape the Nikon 14-24 f2.8 is wonderful. There are other options for nightscape photography such as the Sigma 14mm f1.8, Samyang 14mm f2.4, Samyang 16mm f2, Tokina 14-20 f2. Hope that helps.
@@nightscapeimages.richard hey thanks for your prompt reply, so you are saying i should go for a wider focal than 20 if i am using it on cropped sensor
I live at about 43 deg N. latitude. During our early spring it’s been rare to have a clear sky, day or night. At 16:15 you show a beautiful image on a cloudy night. I never bothered to go out under overcast skies, clearly a mistake on my part. I was also wondering as I was looking at your images in the video if your 2020 calendar is available for sale? If so, how do I get one?
Thanks a lot for watching Tim. To be honest it was supposed to be clearer that night and that's why I was out in the first place. I must admit I do love that image however. Unfortunately all my 2020 calendars are sold out. Sorry
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The other day I watched your 24mm F1.8S review & I knew 24mm wouldn't cut for your photography. I was decently surprised by the you-tube algorithm recommending your 20 mm f1.8S lens review. I cared less for the lens review, because I came for beautiful nightscape images. Great work!
Thanks so much for looking at the video kt cool, rally appreciate that.
I just bought a Z6 and it is my first full frame and mirrorless camera and i love it!
It is a wonderful Camera, thanks for watching.
Not a lens review you said:-) I think this is how a lens review should be. Your pictures really show what this lens is capable of when used by a master. Always looking forward to new videos from you. Stay safe. Greetings from Norway!
Thanks so much for having a look Jens, I certainly appreciate your insight and comments.
My z6II and 20mm f1.8s lens have just arrived, I can’t wait to get out with it. Thanks for your advice, you helped me choose.
That's fantastic Ann. Can't wait to see what you get with it.
I've had an order in on this lens foe quite some time, so I'm very glad to hear your positive review and to see some of your photos. Thanks, Richard for your generous help.
Hey Tom, thanks so much for checking the video out. I absolutely love this lens and in fact I reckon I've produced my best work with it in the fast few weeks.
A tip to get rid of the focus bar... Don't set the lens to manual focus. If you disable focus activation on the shutter button it shouldn't be a problem. You just have to avoid pressing the AF-ON button.
Great video.
That's an awesome suggestion Tony .. I'll give it a try.
I stumbled across your channel today, Richard, since I've got the 20 mm f/1.8 in my sites. You've really inspired me to spread out into nightscape photography.
Thank you so much for taking the time to follow my work Barry, I really appreciate that.
I think you have answered all my questions. This is the kind of review I like. Great.
Thanks very much for watching.
Thanks Richard, awesome review and the images back up everything you say about it.....
one shall be very soon winging its way in to my bag, thanks.
Thanks a lot for watching Ernie, really appreciated.
Beautiful images Richard, and think you and I both agree, this is an outstanding lens. Stay safe, perhaps one day we can go astro shooting together, I have never done it before and would love to try. Cheers Matt
Good on you Matt, love your channel. Take care.
Hi Richard - wow - stunning images! Just moved up to full frame to Z6, and the 20mm 1.8S is particularly attracting me. Will be shooting Northern Lights later in the year, and in the past used a Tokina 11-16mm on cropped frame Nikon - what is your comment on a prime lens at 20mm full frame for this subject?
Thanks so much for watching. Yes I've shot plenty of auroras at 20mm. But if you want to capture more sky then you can always do a simple panorama to extend the field of view. The big advantage of the 20mm is the wide f1.8 aperture. You won't always need it . .but when you do it's a life saver.
Just watched this one again. Love your passion for astro almost as much as your expertise.
Thanks so much Ralph, I really appreciate your encouragement.
Thank you! I'm getting ready to purchase the z6 camera and this lens after much research.
You won't be disappointed Tina. Thanks for watching.
Wow.... what a great info about the infinity focusing and hope to try it out someday. :) Thank you so very much for sharing, Sir. Anyway I did share how you did all the stacking through the sequator on my FB but I can't find it now and maybe I have shared many of your RUclips..... Now I need to search back..... :) Appreciate so much what you have done and thanks again, Sir.
Thanks very much for watching again my friend.
@@nightscapeimages.richard I am the one should thank you instead :).... most of us love your work very very much, Sir. :)
Thanks Richard, It`s great the have your videos to look forward to.
Thanks so much for watching the channel Glen, really appreciated.
Ha! What an epiphany regarding infinity focus! Thank you, Richard - this is brilliant!
Thanks for watching Chris, yes it's very interesting.
Richard, My kind of review! Real Imagery. Man, I would love to see a video on how you did the Milky-Way 3-Row Pano, especially what tools were used, and how you moved into positions, sequence, and amount of overlap and any special processing that was used. I think it would be well received. I just got the Nikkor 24mm f1.8 S lens for my Z6, kind of wished I would have waited for the 20mm. I do have a 14mm Rokinon that is sharp.
Good stuff Leon, thanks for watching my friend. I have a few videos on panos but I don't think I've ever actually gone into the post processing of them at this stage.
Cant wait to see what you get in New Zealand mate. When you can get there that is. Its such a great place for photography, you will smash it with your nightscapes.
Thanks heaps Shayne, yes I think the NZ plans will be on hold for quite some time unfortunately.
Gorgeous images, Richard. Thanks for this fantastic video. I'm waiting for my new Z6II and 20mm 1.8S
Thanks for watching. You'll love the 20mm and the Z6ii.
great review! what are you using for stacking?
Thanks so much for watching Ian. I use Sequator for stacking my images as I'm on PC. Starry Landscape Stacker is excellent for Mac.
No doubt Nikon put a lot of design work into this 20mm Great photos wonderful lens. Greetings from Seattle where there are no clear skies.
Thanks a lot Paul. Yes I agree . .it's a wonderful lens.
I love your work, Richard. I just stumbled onto your channel because I was looking for a review of this lens. I shoot a Z6 as well. I absolutely love the dreamy look you are getting with stacking. Can you link me to a video to show how you do that?
Thanks so much Steve. It's also the star minimizing that creates that dreamy look. Check this video: ruclips.net/video/3uXHTmwcaFM/видео.html
Hi Richard, lovely images and a great video to match. I'm currently using the Nikon Z5. I've had some great results during the day with the camera but the noise on the screen for anything Astro related is so annoying. I can't focus properly on a star due to the noise issue, have you experienced anything like this or have you any tips that could solve the problem moving forward? Thanks in advance.
Thanks so much for watching. What lens are you using to shoot astro with the Z5 ..?? Also what settings do you normally set .?
I'm using an F-mount 14mm 2.8, 20 sec shutter speed , ISO 3200 and opened up to 2.8
Ok, that should be fine. Noise is something we have to get used to with astro photography. You can use de-noise programs like Topaz with good results. Have a look at this video regarding focusing. ruclips.net/video/lqYf2w_BAQ8/видео.html As an aside to all of this I've had the best experience seeing the screen clearly with the Nikon Z system using the native Nikon Z f1.8 prime lenses. @@ogie7488
Absolutely brilliant review Richard! Interesting that the focus automatically goes to infinity when turning on. That’s actually a great feature I had no idea about. The coma isn’t bad at all. Of course a beautiful set of images! Looks like I’m going to have to pick this up for the z6!
Thanks heaps Mike. I had read about this "feature" but mostly people didn't like it. I've found it to be a very handy thing. I reckon it would really suit your vlogging at 20mm.
Awesome images Richard and full of great information all the best Phill
Thanks so much Phill
I have this lens coming and looking forward to using it at night. Also looking forward to your online Nightscape workshop. Got the pdf file downloaded and sent something your way.
Really appreciate you having a look Carl, thanks so much for your support.
Nightscape Images glad I could help....
Awesome review Richard. Especially appreciate the examples and coma feedback. As always, beautiful work. Thank you!
Thank you so much Lonnie, really appreciate that.
Very interesting video... love all those photos and sharper foreground subject.
Really appreciated as per usual Luis. Thank you.
What a beautiful lens and review! I want it... Is your Z6 astromodified? Your pictures are so beautiful... Thank you!
Thanks so much for watching Mira. I actually have 3 x Z6 cameras and I did recently get one of them modified. However none of the images you saw in this video were shot with that one.
Greetings from "up over" in the Emerald Isle. Greatvideo, Richard. Greater still that you give the details of your exposures; ISO, f#, sec. Really helpful.
Really appreciate that John
Excelent review! Thank you. Great to see many previous locations in one video.
Thanks so much for watching Paul. I really wanted to show as many images taken with this lens and so that's why there are lots of images. I'm pleased you like it.
Great video love your photo gallery walk, looking forward to more photo from the new lens.
Thanks for your time , I've derided my 1300d for astro, the m50 for every day .plan to get a L lens was set for July ,corona has set this back
Thanks a lot Phillip. The L lenses are superb.
Absolutely outstanding pictures Richard!
Thanks so much for having a look Mr Frankie
Extremely well explained. Thank you Richard. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I'm so pleased you liked it Bjorn, thanks a lot for watching.
Hi Richard, love your channel. I thought I would share something you probably already know. Fly By Wire comes from the aviation world. Originally all air planes had mechanical connections to the flight surfaces and engines. When they started to use electronics for control them, they called it Fly By Wire. The term is now used everywhere it seams. Thanks again for all the great information, and encouragement.
Thanks heaps Chris, yes I had read that somewhere before .. .appreciate you filling in the blanks. Thanks heaps for watching.
I just saw this, this is great - please tell us how you stacked the images.
Thanks for watching. I used Sequator to stack the images. See here: ruclips.net/video/3uXHTmwcaFM/видео.html
wow, fantastic pictures, you addressed all of my queries. Based on this review I just made an order for a copy of that lens.
Thanks very much for watching, you'll love the lens.
Excellent real world review. I'm sharing this video with my pals whom are into photography as well.
Thanks so much Pooja, I really appreciate that.
I’m looking forward to get my hands on this lens. I am also transitioning to the Z system. I have the D810 with various Nikon, Tamron, and Sigma lenses. Recently purchased the Z6, and It is hard to go back to DSLR. The compactness of the Z system is ideal for those who hike with their camera for landscape photos. I have the Sigma 20 mm art lens, and that one is heavy. Plus, the bulbous glass required a special filter adaptor and 100 mm x 100 mm filter. This 20 mm f1.8 s is going to be my main lens for my adventures. Fast for nightscapes, and about the right focal length for vast landscapes. Thank you for the review.
Thanks a lot for watching George, yes this lens is a real beauty. It's awesome on the Z6.
@@nightscapeimages.richard I just got my 20mm f/1.8 s. Now, waiting for Pacific Northwest skies to clear up. I recommend a Bhatinov mask to make focusing on the stars a lot easier. They are really cheap. I have one attached to a cheap 77mm UV filter.
@@ThePinoyAggie Yes a few people have suggested the mask. I'm sure you'll love your new 20mm f1.8S.
Complimenti, foto fantastiche.Bravo.
Thanks so much for your kind words my friend.
Really nice video and excellent shots! The 20mm S looks great in terms of sharpness and coma. I have the Sigma 14 but I'd like something a little tighter to go with it. I think this 20mm might be the ticket. Thanks for the video!
Thanks very much for watching Marshall.
Excellent set of images you showed during this video. Glad that you are happy with the lens. Anything that improves your workflow is always appreciated, it is amazing how the small hassles using something adds to much to the frustration.
Thanks again my friend. Yes this lens is wonderful and the images I've produced here are certainly amongst the best of mine I feel.
Thanks Richard ..I have the 14-30 F4 S lens and took my first shot at the Southern Cross and related stars and the results wide open @ 20 secs @ ISO 6400 @ 20mm were GREAT for a first attempt at Astro. but with the 20mm I am sure they would be even better.
Thanks a lot for watching Peter. That 14-30 f4 looks like a great lens. I do like using my lenses at very wide apertures and this 20mm is awesome
Excellent images just brilliant 👏👏
I really need to get out but in these tough times it's virtually impossible for me the do so luckily your videos take some of the itch away 👍
Hey Keith, I feel your pain brother ..!!! Hopefully won't be too much longer.
So my Milky Way photo’s definitely dont look as amazing as yours . Im in Minnesota., probably not in the darkest skies ., is there an edit video strictly for the Milky Way ? I love yours. And truthfully, I am new to this & pretty much assuming my editing is VERY primitive … 😵💫.
Thank you for all your amazing work ., I am blown away !!!!!
Thanks again for watching. I have many editing videos. See this playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLAYKmqkUeSM9eXVRj3boNPWRTSgYIShUh and also this one: ruclips.net/p/PLAYKmqkUeSM_ovfT8k7ifk26X4zjeqJWb
Great video!! What do You think of the Viltrox 20mm 1.8 for astro? Seems like a good cheap entre option...
Thanks for watching. I've not used the Viltrox 20mm so can't really compare. But the Viltrox lenses I have used .. 24 and 35mm are really quite good.
Wow, awesome results. I already wanted this lens, and your video definitely didn't quench that desire ;)
More importantly you made me want to run out and do more night photography with the equipment I already have.
Thanks a lot, keep up the great work :)
Thanks very much Torbjorn, really appreciate your comments as usual.
Hi Richard. Glad to see you have your latest piece of photography goodness :)
Several weeks back we discussed available lens options for nightscape shooting for my Sony as I wanted more than the 24-70 f2.8. Neither option was entirely what I wanted since Sony had no 20 mm f1.8 lens. I certainly agreed with your preference of the 2 possibilities and decided I would order a Sigma Art 20mm f1.4 despite the filter unfriedly convex lens front.
Funny thing is about 6 hours after you gave your recommendation (which I felt certain would be the most appropriate choice) Sony then announced the release of a 20mm f1.8.
Huh - timing is everything.
Put my order in the next morning. Have had it for 16 days now and early results look brilliant.
Yes I remember that discussion Simon. I'm really pleased you are happy with that new Sony lens .. I hear it's excellent.
Very nice video!!! Would be nice to see the video on your milkyway editing workflow.
Thanks very much for watching Victor. I actually have a whole playlist of editing and post processing videos here: ruclips.net/p/PLAYKmqkUeSM_ovfT8k7ifk26X4zjeqJWb
Fantastic images... thanks for reviewing this lens
Thanks so much for watching Rakesh.
Stunning detail Richard, well impressed with the lens results. I doubt they'll ever bring out an upgrade f mount version.
Thanks for looking. No I think you're right.
Awesome video mate, beautiful photos.
Thanks a lot Brad
Thanks for that real world overview what that lens can do. 😍 WOW 😍, specially for that image at 24:00. Can you please make a video of that workflow? Or do you already have one you may link to?
Thanks very much Roland, I appreciate your kind words. The image at 24 minutes is simply a blended sky with a couple of foreground light painted images. This workflow is explained in a lot of my videos. See here: ruclips.net/video/zy3GY019jI4/видео.html or here: ruclips.net/video/fq0r33y-IPU/видео.html
Nice video saving my penny's for a new lens think of the 30mm art for Pentax or 18-35 both are 1.8 later mate.
They sound like ripper lenses Jeff. Thanks for watching.
Hey ritchard, another great review, I have a question regarding the 20mm 1.8g lens, is there a great deal of quality difference between the 2, I'm getting the z6ii very soon, but I'm debating what to do for the best, do I purchase the 20mm 1.8g, or hold out for the s and keep saving, I'm leaning towards the 1.8g for the time being, but if it's a huge loss in quality I may hold off. Cheers.
The 20mm Z lens is a lot better on the Z6ii but you'll get away with the older 20mm G lens for a while. That's what I did initially.
Allo ! I'm back !!! I was late listening to your great videos. Time to make it up.
Again, wonderful informations given and especially on the S-Lens which I don't have yet. I'll be following your advice, when time ($$$$) comes and buy the 20mm ! I sometimes find that the sliding of F-lens on the adaptor is not as smooth as it could be even if it works properly. I guess a native lens would do a great and better job. As for night photography of Milky Way, we are getting rid of snow and winter but it still difficult to go outside sometimes as the weather and clouds don't cooperate. Thank you again for all this great and wonderful information. Greetings from Québec !
I'm glad to see you back again Carole, thanks so much for watching the channel.
Nightscape Images
Wasn’t gone for long but enough to have missed a few videos! 😀😀
A little late to the party, but between you and Hudson Henry waxing poetical about this lens for night sky photography I’m pretty convinced.
Do you know of any valid alternative in the 3rd party market?
The only one close is the Viltrox 20mm f1.8 but it's not as good as the Nikon Z version.
@ how about the Sigma 20/1.4 DG DN? I already have the ETZ Pro adapter to mount Sony E lenses on Z cameras…
@@soffici1 I's a great lens but haven't tried it with the adaptor.
Wow, love your work and it has inspired me to give it a go,
I stumbled on your channel the other day and can't keep away,
Would a cree L2 tactical zoom torch be suitable to use for basic light painting?
I'm in the UK but luckily away from the big cities to avoid excess light pollution,
shooting on a Nikon D700 with 24-70 f2.8 lens, that be an acceptable set up to try what you are a master in,
thanks Alan.
Thanks so much for watching the videos Alan, I really appreciate it. I'm not so familiar with that particular torch but you can use most torches. I don't like extra bright torches as they easily blow out the subjects if your not careful. The other thing to consider is that most LED torches cast a very blue coloured beam. That's why I usually use a 1/2 cto gel on the front of my torch .. to balance the colour back to normal. You should be fine with the D700 and 24-70 f2.8 Alan.
Debating going with the 14-24 2.8 or this 20mm 1.8 for nightscapes... If I had to pick one do you think I’ll miss the benefit of being able to shoot at 14 mm? Or do you think being a new lens and being a 1.8 is better? Thank you for this amazing video.
Hey Charlie. I have the Nikon 14-24 f2.8 and hardly use it these days. I much prefer the 20mm focal length. Having said that, I do a lot of focus stacking and blending in my images and this helps alleviate any soft focus issues you may have with the slightly longer focal length at 20mm for subjects that are close to the camera. The 14-24 is an awesome lens but now that I'm using the Z cameras I much prefer their native "S" lenses. As yet they don't have an f2.8 wide angle so I'll wait and dee down the track. I really love the ability to open up to f1.8 .. it really makes a difference.
Stunning details really good lens. I really miss my photography. Richard how far you have to go from your home to avoid light pollution and also the location to shoot milky way?
I can see the milky way from my back yard. It's Bortle class 4 at home. 15 minute drive away from town I'm in Bortle class 2 skies.
@@nightscapeimages.richard 15mins wow lucky man :D
Fantastic images Richard. I have the nikon D750 am I right in saying that this lens fits on without any adapter?
Thanks so much for watching Janette. No this 20mm f1.8S lens will not fit the Nikon D750 at all. It's only made for the mirrorless Z mount cameras. The other lens I show in the video will fit the D750 without any adaptor. Nikon 20mm f1.8G.
Another great video, thankyou. I am starting out doing Astro timelapses on my Fuji XT20. I am looking to upgrade to full frame for the low performance and dynamic range. I am undecided between Nikon z6 & 20mm 1.8 and Sony A7iii & 20mm 1.8. I see you use the Nikon z6 to create your work. Could you offer any advise on why you chose the Nikon z6 route?
Thanks for watching Martin. Both the Z6 and A7iii would be exceptional cameras for nightscapes .. . very similar performance. I have always had Nikon cameras so it was a natural choice to go for the Z6. I think it comes down to what feels best ergonomically for you. I love the Nikon menu system but I'm sure the Sony has other features which are excellent as well.
Love this review Richard, and the results you have achieved . This lens is likely to be the first native Z mount lens I buy. Only recently discovered your channel, curious if you have made a video on your star minimisation technique. Looking forward to working thru your back catalog.
Thanks so much for tuning in Greg. I touch on the star minimisation in this video .. nothing much different to what others are doing. ruclips.net/video/zy3GY019jI4/видео.html
another awesome video mate and nonsense about gee the corners that you talked about i would love to have corners like that keep it goin mate
we will all get through this hiccup in time some of the lens that you talk about look so good will start to give MRS CLAUSE in the next room some hints take care mate catch ya in the future cheers bobby j.
Good on you Bobby, yes it's always good to give some hints to the "Minister of War & Finance" ..!!!
This lens is definitely on my wish list. Thanks for a fantastic review of this lens for the particular use case. I'm also someday coming in one of your workshops -probably would have been this year, but there you go. Tell me, is the Z6 (I or II) or Z7 (I or II) better for astro? I have the Z6, but am considering adding a Z7 II.
Thanks a lot for watching Geoffrey. I think the mk 2 version of these cameras will be better overall .. but from what I see the sensor is the same so probably no better image quality. Most likely improvements in ergonomics and 2 card slots etc.
Great stuff Richard. Quick question; why do you prefer 20mm over 14mm? Wouldn't you fit more of the Milky Way into your shots? Cheers.
Thanks for watching Andrew. Yes you are correct, you will fit more in with a 14mm and there are plenty of times where that is important .. however I really like the faster aperture I can get at f1.8 to the majority of 14mm lenses .. also there is far less distortion and therefore my foreground objects look much better. That's another reason I really like the 35mm and even 50mm focal lengths. Appreciate your comments.
Thank you so much Richard, your review confirms exactly what I thought about this lens. I believe with the Z mount lenses Nikon are really ahead of the game. Waiting now to receive my copy of the lens and can't wait to test it myself out in the field.
Thanks so much for watching Thanos, I'm sure you'll really enjoy this lens.
Ahead of the game? I think they are way behind Sony and canon in terms of a lens offering, and I'm a royal Nikon shooter and have been shooting nikon for the last 25 years
Can you get out this week to shoot the Supermoon Richard? Our borders are shut here in WA but we can’t travel too far in the state restrictions in place but we’re not in lockdown yet, so hopefully I can get out to shoot it. Any tips would be welcome mate. 👍
Hey Carl, I haven't shot a supermoon for years. Just make sure you don't get camera shake .. keep your shutter speed fast if telephoto.
Nightscape Images thanks Richard
Thank you for this review Richard, fantastic images! What do you think about Z7 for milky way?
The Z7 is fantastic for milky way Andrei
Hello from Lithuania! Thank you very much for the interesting review! I am also looking forward to my 20mm 1.8s for astrophoto. I want to ask two questions. The old 20mm 1.8g has a well-seen coma even with f / 2.8. What 20mm 1.8s aperture has such a coma? How much light can you have?And have you noticed more vignetting on the new 20mm 1.8s than on the old. According to tests, the new Z lenses have more vignetting.
Thanks so much for watching my channel, really appreciate that. There is certainly some coma on this new lens but I would suggest it's pretty much gone by f2.8. The old 20mm f1.8G has coma as well as you have suggested but to be honest it isn't a deal breaker for me especially when stacking for noise reduction. I have found that the stacking software helps remove coma. In that case you can shoot this lens wide open at f1.8. As far as vignetting, yes it's there but again this is not an issue for me as I really like the slight fall off towards the edges of my nightscape images. Hope that's helpful.
Very cool, I love your videos. Been looking at that lens for my Z6. Your stacking is awesome, but seems really difficult. Looks like you can do pretty well with a single image and that lens
Thanks a lot Steve. The single shots are really good as well. The stacking gets easier with practice. Appreciate your comments.
Very interesting feature the focus on infinity at startup ! Do you investigate more on this ? Is it very accurate and precise ?
Thanks !
Thanks for watching Ivoyger. Put it this way, I haven't had to focus this 20mm lens on infinity for any of the shots I've taken this year . .and that's a lot of images.
Richard, great information and pictures. This was a very timely video for me. I live in the USA and Milky Way season is just beginning here. I literally have no experience shooting the Milky Way and I am getting ready to purchase my first lens for that sole purpose. I have been a landscape photographer for 12 plus years and last August got rid of all my old APS-C gear and bought the Z6 and a used D810. I truly do not have any fast glass to shoot the stars. I went out last September one night at the end of the Milky Way season and used my Z6 and the kit lens and was fairly surprised at what I could capture. I have been looking at purchasing a Rokinon 14mm F2.4, Irix Blackstone 15mm F2.4, the older Nikon 20mm F1.8, the 35mm 1.8 Z mount Nikon lens, Tamron 15-30 A012 model, 24mm Z6 mount lens and a couple of others. I was really leaning towards the lens that I could put a filter on without having to buy expensive kits to use filters on lenses like he Rokinon and Tamron lens. Not having had experience at Milky Way photography I was worried about getting a really wide lens. I was even worried the Nikon 20mm lens was not wide enough, I can see the old FX 20mm Nikon lens has been one of your favorites. I was really leaning towards that lens or maybe the 24mm Z6 mount Nikon lens. At this stage I know that I don’t know what I don’t know. I have never owned a wide angle lens so I really don’t have the experience to know how much that will do for me. I just finished watching another video you did, Nightscapes Lens Focal Length Comparison. That left me wondering if maybe I was too worried about having a really wide angle lens? The thing is I live in Illinois and I won’t have a lot of great Milky Way places to shoot from. At least ones with great foreground objects in somewhat of a dark area. My ability to do Milky Way photography will be somewhat limited so I really see myself only buying one lens. In your humble opinion for most shots is 20mm wide enough? Do you think the old Nikon 20mm is pretty close to the new Z6 20mm? I assume the older 20mm shoots well on the Z6 using the adapter? Do you have any advice you could offer? I really appreciate it. Thanks, Jerry
Hey Jerry, thanks very much for watching the videos. I also appreciate your question as I think this will help a lot of people. I think that on a full frame camera 20mm is certainly wide enough to shoot great nightscapes. I don't like the distortion you get with ultra wide angle lenses and I find it's no where near as bad at 20mm. The older 20mm f1.8G is still a wonderful lens and I've been shooting with it for years.It's also nice and light weight as demonstrated in this video. I would choose the 20mm f1.8S over the 24mm f1.8S. I also have the 35mm f1.8S and it's great also.
@@nightscapeimages.richard Thank you sir I appreciate your insight, I do have one last question. Would I be smart to buy the Nikon 24mm F1.4 over the 20mm F1.8 for the faster aperture or would it really not make a difference.
@@jerrysanderfield No worries Jerry. The Nikon 24mm f1.4G has a lot more coma than the 20mm f1.8G. I'd go for the 20mm if you want to shoot a lot of nightscapes.
@@nightscapeimages.richard Thank you sir, greatly appreciated
Thanks for another great video..
I have a quick question.. I use a z6ii and recently bought a 35mm 1.8 z mount lens. It doesn't focus to infinity when I restart my camera. Is there any setting that I need to change to make that happen? Thanks in advance!
That's interesting. I have noticed that all my Z mount prime lenses do focus to infinity on start up . .I didn't set anything to enable this.
Great video, how does the Z 20mm f1.8 compare to the Sigma art f1.4 20mm f mount? I have the sigma and about to join it to a Z6ii. Is there much improvement with the Nikkor for astrophotography?
Thanks for watching. The Sigma 20 is a good lens. You will see coma wide open at f1.4-1.8 but after that it's quite good. The Nikon S lens is considerably lighter weight and being native to the Z6ii will perform better. The sigma lens needs the FTZ adaptor which adds to the weight especially as it tips the lens further forward.
Fantastic review of the lens in a practical sense. Which camera did you use the Z6 or Z7? Would also love to know how to stack the images as you have done, are you able to advise how this is done technically or offer some suggestions where I might find a good training resource please? Looking forward to seeing more of your reviews, thanks again. :-)
Thanks a lot Les. I use the Z6. I have a lot of videos showing the stacking technique. See here: ruclips.net/video/3uXHTmwcaFM/видео.html or here: ruclips.net/video/zy3GY019jI4/видео.html
@@nightscapeimages.richard Thank you very much for taking the time to reply.
Great video! How does the Z 20 1.8 S stack up against the Z 14-30 at f:8 or f:11 is their a difference?
Thanks for watching. Unfortunately I don't have a Z 14-30 so I can't test.
Thank you Richard, I’m about to get this lens, and can’t wait to use it to shoot the sky! Do you happen to have a video on stacking the 10 shots that you typically do? I’ve only done single exposures before.
Thanks a lot Thomas, really appreciate it. See this: ruclips.net/video/zy3GY019jI4/видео.html
@@nightscapeimages.richard thanks for the reference! Is there anything similar in Lightroom though? Or do you have to perform this step in Photoshop?
@@thomaswandachen2306 You cannot stack images in this way in Lightroom unfortunately Thomas
Have been looking forward to your review on this lens - cheers
Thanks a lot for watching Brett
Thanks Richard for your 2 cents. I am looking forward to replace f mount lenses with Z versions slowly. Not that f glass is bad, but simply because of usage (transfering adapter from one to another lens). Hope you can go out and do things you like the most soon. Keep safe!!!
Thanks again for watching Milorad. Yes that's exactly what I'm doing.
Great channel - thank you. Have you tried the 15mm laowa yet? I am tossing up between this 20mm and the laowa 15mm so will be very interested in your thoughts when you have had a chance to use it.
Thanks a lot for watching Diane. There is no contest . .the Nikon 20mm blows the Laowa away for detail, clarity, sharpness and ease of focus.
Made my decision now - appreciate your reply.
@@OperaQld Any time Diane
Hi Richard - great review thank you!
I'm hoping to get up to northern Canada this winter to capture the northern lights on my Z6 so I'm looking for a wide lens.
I also plan to shoot video and wondering if I should also be looking at the wider zooms too (14-24 f/2.8 or 14-30 f/4)? This will be a lifelong lens so cost is less of a factor than usability in different scenarios. But the initial focus will be for this trip.
Any suggestions or comments?
Thanks.
Hey Blaine, thanks so much for watching the video . .I really appreciate it. I've done a test of the new Nikon 14-24 f2.8Z lens and it's fantastic . .but very expensive. You can see that video here: ruclips.net/video/T15BRroMQC4/видео.html I haven't used the 14-30 f4 but it's a very good lens designed primarily for daytime landscape and obviously at f4 isn't as suitable for nightscape shooting. Having said that I have a few friends who use that lens for shooting the milky way and love it. You have to push the iso pretty high to compensate though.
What an awesome lens! Great review Richard. Looks great in the corners. I like gi-normous lens hoods, great in rain and yes stops the mist on lens at night. That's why I like the F mount 24-70mm F2.8 lens, it's huge lens hood compared to the 14-24mm you mentioned. Agree the native glass would probably be better on the Z series. Thanks for sharing the video mate.
Always appreciate you watching Adrian, thanks heaps mate. Loved your D850 video today ...!!
Richard you mention in this video a 21 image panorama. I would love to see a video on how you shot the images (specially how you manipulated your tripod) and how you stitched all the images.
Thanks so much for watching Glidden. I don't have a video on this particular location but I do mention some of the steps in the following videos: ruclips.net/video/SAIg6p1o_Qc/видео.html and this one: ruclips.net/video/mRWMsJJJTMM/видео.html
Hi Richard, Just discovered you and after seeing this great video, I've already subscribed. I've enjoyed the video and read all the comments and answers. But I'm still not clear on why you'd chose the Z mount over the F mount. It seems like you don't see a significant difference. Did I get that wrong ? I had read that the F mount has coma at the corners too and had hoped that the Z mount version would have significantly less. Does it ? What is the primary reason you're recommending the much more expensive Z mount ? Note: Like most of us watching, I really already made up my mind for the Z, just looking for the expert reason to justify my gut impression that its going to be worth it. Thanks so much ! Stay well brothers and sisters.
Thanks so much for watching Michael and thanks for your support. Sorry if it wasn't really clear. To be honest I've really enjoyed using the 20mm f1.8G lens on both my D750 and Z6 cameras. It does have coma especially wide open but to be honest that isn't a real concern to me. I've printed dozens of nightscapes taken with this lens and not once have I thought the coma was a concern. The 20mm f1.8S also has coma but I feel it's less than and more controlled than the older G series lens. The S lens is sharper across the frame and it's a native mount, all of those things make it worth while for me using the Z6 as my primary camera. They are both good lenses but the S lens is simply better.
Love all your work !!!
Thanks again
Thanks for the review Richard, since I don't know much of the performance these lenses should have, do you consider the astro performance is good? Is the elongation of the stars due to coma or just the exposure time (star trailing) in this case? Do you think the Sony equivalent is any better?
Greetings from an Argentinian in the Netherlands! :)
Thanks a lot for watching Santiago. I think the performance is really good. I haven't used the Sony equivalent but I hear it's also very good. The reason we look into the corners is because that's where you'll see any imperfections in the glass. It may be very sharp in the centre but not so good on the outer edge. Sometimes you see slight trailing on the edge even when the lenses are sharp in the middle. All in all the astro performance of this lens is excellent.
Great video on nightscape as well as on the lens. But you haven,t said if one can keep the 20 mm G lens. I would love to hear your thoughts on this in 2021 when there is 14-24 lens is also out.
Thanks very much for watching Hemant. Yes I like the 20mm f1.8 G lens. I'd been using it on the Nikon Z6 for a long time with excellent results. It's still a great option. You need the FTZ adaptor to use it on the Nikon Z mount cameras though.
@@nightscapeimages.richard Thanks a lot. I have this one and just got Z7ii. I have been thinking of getting a 14-30 S instead of 14-24 S. I would keep on using 20 mm G lens for Astro, and in case of extreme need for wide angles, I can get away with the F4. Hopefully that would be alright.
@@hemantsharma1967 Yes I think that would work quite well.
@@nightscapeimages.richard thanks for sound advice.
Best
i like your digital blending, great
Thanks so much for watching Marcus.
Hello Richard great video as always 😊 what are your thoughts on the sigma 17-50 f/2.8 ex dc os hsm on a canon EOS Rebel T6/1300d for night sky photography? I'm on a budget so I'm using what I've got to work with and I haven't tried this lens yet.
Thanks for looking Alvin. It's an ok lens. probably not the best in class but also not overly expensive.
Great video, just got this lens. I can't wait to try it out
You'll love it
Love the video. Can you talk about star minimization?
Thanks for watching Bob. Star minimization is a process whereby you give the brighter stars in the image more prominence by reducing the lesser stars. I go into the method in this video as well as a few others: ruclips.net/video/zy3GY019jI4/видео.html
Hi Richard, many thanks for a great review. It was particularly interesting as it shows the lens in real world situations. The result was only to be expected, I too have a number of S lenses and all are super sharp in comparison to the old F-Mount. I only need to wait for it to be released here in europe, it was supposed to be in March but seems to be delayed. There are only a few examples around, mainly owned by reviewers. Question : could you publish a screenshot of the corners of an F-Mount pic and a Z-Mount at 100% for comparison purposes - in the video it is difficult to see any differences ?
I look forward to your new video series.
Thanks a lot David. Yes it is difficult to see any difference on the video. I'll see what I can do. Generally I don't have the exact same image which would make it a bit easier to compare.
@@nightscapeimages.richard I don't think it has to be exactly the same image, it is just to see how th coma and sharpness looks. It would suffice if there were just a number of stars in frame.
Hi Richard, what is your view on using a D850 for more detail rather than the Z6 ? My guess is the D850 noise may affect the image quality quite a bit more.
Hey Duncan, the D850 is a great camera for nightscapes but I don't have any issues with detail on the Z6 .. or even the D750 for that matter. You can't really compare daytime landscape and nightscapes when talking about the final results because there are so many variables. Namely the high iso performance and also the noise reduction techniques. I have plenty of quite large prints from my 24mpx cameras and they are excellent. It would be a different discussion if we were talking about major cropping into our shots though.
Brilliant video, very interest to watch. I just received mine a few days ago and made my first tests out in the field with my Z7. On the Z7 a can only expose 8 sec before the stars starts trailing. I also confirm the sharpness of the lens and the focus right after switching the cam on as well. It is so easy, switch the cam off and on and you are fine. I tried to focus on the screen but I cannot see any stars at all, also not in the viewfinder. Ist there a Camera Problem or some settings wrong? Show adjustments in VF is on. Also I find the exposer-bar on the screen useless. Because if you adjust like shown in the bar, a leveled photo would be at ISO 400, which is pitch dark. Can’t understand this meter!? But these are camera problems, I guess. Maybe you have some ideas about the problems above. I would appreciate your answer.
Thanks very much for watching Markus, really appreciate it. You should have no trouble seeing stars on the screen. Make sure you open up the aperture and bump the iso up over 3200. Make sure you magnify the live view screen to see the stars. The exposure bar is always useless at night . .the camera cannot see in the dark at all. You have to run everything fully manually. I do run through the focusing of the camera in this video. ruclips.net/video/R5jYdAwTpQ0/видео.html
Great review, great work! Your images are stellar! Regarding the F mount lens, i had two of them. Severe coma at f1.8 (not usablle), even at f2.8 i didn't like it. Meanwhile i tryed irix 15mm f2.4, samyang xp 14mm f2.4 wichs is coma free wide open. You only have to deal with vignet.
Ragarding the Z mount lens, I had even great expectations. Why? Because is not a cheap lens. I was hopping to see the performance from 2.8 at 1.8 or f2 but i think I will give it a try and buy it anyway.
I also have de 24-70 f4, 35 1.8 and 50 1.8 wich is a little bit sharper than 35, and also the best coma performance straight from wide open (almost, almost perfect).
P.S. in wich bortle class did you shoot your images?
Thanks so much for watching Florin, really appreciated. I usually shoot in Bortle Class 2 or 3.
Jesus christ that lens is incredible 👌 and those images wow 🤙🤙 cant wait to get out. I got a sigma art 24- 35 f2 iv never actually used it for night scape shooting. Iv normally used the 14mm Samyang.
Hey Gavin you should give it a go .. it's a great lens that Sigma.
@@nightscapeimages.richard hi mate. Yes il have to go out and use it soon as this is over with.thank you 👍👍
This was such an amazing review, thanks for sharing/ I am planning to buy a lense but confused between Nikon 14-24 F2.8 & Nikon 20mm F1.8, though 14-24 gives me a zoom option but then i am loosing F stops on that when compare to 20mm, your thoughts & also i will be shooting with D500 which is a cropped sensor
Thanks very much Sunny. I think on the D500 you may be better off with a wider angle lens. For general landscape the Nikon 14-24 f2.8 is wonderful. There are other options for nightscape photography such as the Sigma 14mm f1.8, Samyang 14mm f2.4, Samyang 16mm f2, Tokina 14-20 f2. Hope that helps.
@@nightscapeimages.richard hey thanks for your prompt reply, so you are saying i should go for a wider focal than 20 if i am using it on cropped sensor
@@007sunnyoberoi Yes I do because on your D500 the foca length becomes 30mm and that's a bit tight for a lot of shots.
I live at about 43 deg N. latitude. During our early spring it’s been rare to have a clear sky, day or night. At 16:15 you show a beautiful image on a cloudy night. I never bothered to go out under overcast skies, clearly a mistake on my part. I was also wondering as I was looking at your images in the video if your 2020 calendar is available for sale? If so, how do I get one?
Thanks a lot for watching Tim. To be honest it was supposed to be clearer that night and that's why I was out in the first place. I must admit I do love that image however. Unfortunately all my 2020 calendars are sold out. Sorry
Nightscape Images No worries, maybe next year!
Do you always shoot at wide open 1.8 with the 20mm when doing Astro photography?
No I hardly ever shoot wide open at f1.8. I usually range between f2.2 and f2.8.