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Best Lenses for Astrophotography

Astrophotography demands patience and a tolerance for the cold. You’ll also need photography equipment that can handle the dark, wide subject and damp weather as well. Fast aperture, image stabilisation, low light capabilities, weather sealing and state-of-the-art Canon technology make fantastic images of constellations, stars and the Moon achievable. Canon experts have curated this list of the best lenses for astrophotography.



Enthusiast Lenses for Astrophotography

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Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM Lens

This compact, speedy body is one of our best camera lenses for astrophotography, hitting the sweet spot for detailed compositions of the Milky Way with Earth landscapes in the foreground thanks to its wide 16mm focal length and lightning-fast f/2.8 aperture. What really makes the lens excel for enthusiasts is its brightness. The fast and wide aperture lets more light enter the lens, meaning that stars, constellations and more are bright, clear and crisp. While the lens doesn’t include image stabilisation, you can use it with a tripod for clear and stable nighttime photography.

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Canon RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM Lens

Combine a wide-angle frame with super-fast aperture, and you get a lens that’s perfect for taking long exposure shots that lets in lots of light. This makes for great wide images of stars and constellations. This lens also includes 5 stops of image stabilisation and a macro flat field, meaning stars are sharp at the frame edges, and that any blur due to camera shake is reduced. A low light monster, this lens encourages you to be more creative when photographing the night sky.

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Canon RF 800mm F11 STM Lens

While a wide-angle lens is great for landscape shots of the stars and Earth foreground, you can use a super telephoto to capture images of celestial bodies such as the Moon and the Sun (as long as you use a filter to prevent damage to the sensor or your eye). With an incredible 800mm focal length, this Canon RF astrophotography lens is a unique option for photographing the Moon’s craters, mountains and more. Although the f/11 aperture is too slow for stars, it has 4 stops of image stabilisation for bringing out images clear and blur free. Finally, an intuitive Lens Control Ring gives you more control over exposure and ISO settings.

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Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Lens

One of our best Canon lenses for astrophotography, the RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM can offer enthusiasts new perspectives during astrophotography. In a unique position to deliver brilliant images of constellations, stars, the Moon and the Sun, the lens can offer impressive telephoto images, and offer unique landscape images as well. The affordable package is great for beginners. 5.5 stops of image stabilisation brings enough stability for handheld photography without the use of a tripod. Industry leading Canon technology including Ultra Low Dispersion Glass (UD) and a Super Spectra coating guarantees superb image quality.

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Professional Lenses for Astrophotography

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Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM Lens

A wide angle, super-fast zoom lens for professional astrophotographers, this compact body has everything you need to take award-winning images of the night sky. One of the best lenses for the Milky Way, its F/2.8 aperture is fast and wide. It means that more light enters the lens, great for fast but steady images of constellations, stars, nebulas and the Milky Way, all revealed in detail impossible to see with the naked eye. As with all of our L-Series lenses, it uses advanced technology to stay ahead of the competition. 3 aspherical and 2 UD lens elements provide sharpness while weather sealing means you can carry on during dewy, damp nights.

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Canon RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM Lens

Specialising in ultra wide-angle landscapes, this pro L-Series lens can reveal mountains, the stars and the Moon in fantastic detail. Built for the best images, it uses advanced technology to excel in low light such as an Subwavelength Structure Coating and Air Sphere Coating for reducing flare and ghosting. Alongside the impressive wide focal length, the lens has a constant f/4 aperture across the wide focal range, meaning that your camera sensor always has enough light to tackle impressive, low light images of constellations and stars. Finally, aspherical and UD lens elements and a smooth Nano USM motor delivers great sharpness and detail.

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Canon RF 85mm F1.2L IS USM Lens

This ultra telephoto astrophotography lens has a 1200mm focal length that enables it to become the master of Moon or Sun photography. Not only can you get close to the Moon, but you can reveal craters, mountains and its geography in awe-inspiring detail. Although the lens has a slower and narrower F/8 aperture, it’s 4 stop Image Stabilizer prevents shaking in low light, while UD and Super UD coatings reduce ghosting and flare to deliver fantastic sharpness. This sharpness is crucial in low light, as blur becomes more apparent when the lens doesn’t have a lot of light to play with. The lens is built to last, with weather sealing that is great for damp nights.

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Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM Lens

This ultra telephoto astrophotography lens has a 1200mm focal length that enables it to become the master of Moon or Sun photography. Not only can you get close to the Moon, but you can reveal craters, mountains and its geography in awe-inspiring detail. Although the lens has a slower and narrower F/8 aperture, it’s 4 stop Image Stabilizer prevents shaking in low light, while UD and Super UD coatings reduce ghosting and flare to deliver fantastic sharpness. This sharpness is crucial in low light, as blur becomes more apparent when the lens doesn’t have a lot of light to play with. The lens is built to last, with weather sealing that is great for damp nights.

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Cameras for Astrophotography

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Canon EOS R6 Mark II Mirrorless Camera Body: For advanced enthusiasts

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II makes incredible astrophotography possible. Aside from breakneck speed, the camera uses an Image Stabilizer that can deliver up to 8 stops of image stabilisation, perfect for low light, handheld photography. It’s a reliable option for the night, especially as its -6.5EV focusing capabilities mean that it will continue to focus in less light than a half-Moon and its full frame sensor delivers superior high ISO performance. A great companion for your astrophotography lenses, this camera is great for long exposures, even without the use of a tripod.

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Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera Body: For the pros

The Canon EOS R5 is simply the best Canon camera for astrophotography. Uncompromising speed, autofocus across the entire frame, and a max ISO of up to 51,200 means that stars, constellations, the Moon and the Sun are revealed in breathtaking clarity, while 45 MP quality guarantees superb detail. The camera can also deliver up to 8 stops of image stabilisation, great for reducing camera shake during handheld photography. Finally, the camera offers the unique ability to bring new life to images of Space and the night sky, as IBIS High Resolution will achieve a massive 400 megapixels.

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Canon EOS R8 Mirrorless Camera: For confident beginners

This beginner camera for astrophotography makes emotive images of the night sky possible for all. The Live View setting ca magnify to ensure that focus is optimal in tricking lighting conditions, so you don’t need to worry about struggling to get your image in focus. Despite being built for confident enthusiasts and beginners, the camera’s full frame sensor will deliver wide, dynamic range across the image, reducing digital noise for a sharper, cleaner image. The sensor also delivers excellent high ISO performance, great for lower light. Always high in quality, the 24.2 MP sensor guarantees superior performance.

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