Optimal lens for handheld aurora shooting, R6 II?: Canon EOS R Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (2024)

The use of a tripod is not possible.

The 24mm f/1.4 EF with the Canon adapter is the best option that I can find. Shooting wide open at the highest ISO gives a shutter speed, depending on the brightness of the auroras, that seems to be a workable.
RAW images processed in Lightroom will take care of the noise.

Thoughts?

TwoMetreBill wrote:

The use of a tripod is not possible.

The 24mm f/1.4 EF with the Canon adapter is the best option that I can find. Shooting wide open at the highest ISO gives a shutter speed, depending on the brightness of the auroras, that seems to be a workable.
RAW images processed in Lightroom will take care of the noise.

Thoughts?

Not sure whether there is an optimal lens for shooting handheld, but any 24 mm lens will give you good result for shooting aurora with IBIS engaged when combined with good breathing technique.

Believe it or not, but I took this picture with the above combination with the R6 MK1 + RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM lens. Its not an aurora shot, just a pic of my kitchen. Here I could take the shot handheld at 2 sec (!) shutter speed!! The image might have some quality issues, but hey, just look at the shutter speed. As you say, you don't need to worry about noise at high ISO. Just do it!!

1

Thanks Feri,

The f/1.4 will provide another 3 EV of light capture vs the 24-240.

I've read that stabilization works just fine with Canon's EF lenses, not so much with 3rd party lenses or I'd consider the Sigma 20mm f/1.4.

We're hoping for catch a cancelation on Viking's Northern Lights cruise for this winter otherwise we have to wait another year.

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