what lens do you recommend for aurora on a sony a7v

iwols

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• 4 Apr 2026

• #1

Hi just wondering what you recommend for aurora imaging not sure to go sigma 16-28mm f2.8 or prime at f1.8 ,i know the quicker the better but not sure what fl i need and will the a7v pick up a bit of the time with higher iso,also the lens will be used for everyday/video work,any thoughts appreciated

 

Musicman

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Rob Telford

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• 4 Apr 2026

• #2

I’m not sure you need a particularly fast lens

These were taken when we had auroras exceptionally in London a couple of years ago, using an A7III, 24-105 f/4 and a 35mm f/2.8

For both I stopped down to f/5.6 and f/8 for 20 to 30 second exposures

https://flic.kr/p/2pQnnRj

View: https://flic.kr/p/2pQnnRj

https://flic.kr/p/2pQnnR9

View: https://flic.kr/p/2pQnnR9

 

dibbly dobbler

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Mike

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• 4 Apr 2026

• #3

Not an expert but I would take the flexibility of the zoom - I've shot aurora at f4 and got decent results. Good luck!

 

OP

iwols

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• 4 Apr 2026

• #4

thanks guys looking at the 16-28mm

 

P

pmac

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peter

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• 4 Apr 2026

• #5

If your going to use it for general Astro go as fast as you can.
The 20 1.8 is great especially for the price.
The 16 is also but that’s on the ultra wide side.

 

OP

iwols

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• 4 Apr 2026

• #6

thanks pmac would 2,8 be reasonable as i will also use it for a general lens/video

 

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pmac

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peter

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• 4 Apr 2026

• #7

most lenses will work fine. Just makes life easier, with being able to have longer shutter speeds at wider apertures

 

LongLensPhotography

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LongLensPhotography

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• 5 Apr 2026

• #8

Musicman said:

I’m not sure you need a particularly fast lens

These were taken when we had auroras exceptionally in London a couple of years ago, using an A7III, 24-105 f/4 and a 35mm f/2.8

For both I stopped down to f/5.6 and f/8 for 20 to 30 second exposures

https://flic.kr/p/2pQnnRj

View: https://flic.kr/p/2pQnnRj

https://flic.kr/p/2pQnnR9

View: https://flic.kr/p/2pQnnR9

Click to expand...

This was probably once in a lifetime outlier unless you get much closer to the arctic circle.

Any less and you are barely getting a signal at f/2.8 and it is still not easy. It also depends if your sensor can do reasonable iso 25600 or whatever, I am not aware of any at the moment.