New camera, stars, and comets oh my!

[Uilleann]

After a but of a tumultuous start to 2016, I decided it was time to get the wife and I back into a bit of photography. After a series of very rash decisions in the expensive camera store, we became the proud new parents of a Canon 5D MkIII, and a Sigma 24mm prime lens. Between the wife's portraits she enjoys shooting, and my landscapes, I decided I would branch out a bit myself, and point the lens a bit further up than usual. This is one result:

STARS12small.jpg

Not Nat. Geo. quality of course...but a fun new hobby. Just right of center, and down from the top of frame approx. 20%, you can just make out the faint green glow of comet 252P/LINEAR to the right of the arc of the Milky Way. This was about 5 AM, and the glow to the right is Salt Lake's city center just on the other side of the hill.

[newguyaroundhere]

Nice!

[Steve Machol]

Very nice!

[mervinek]

Beautiful!

[Uilleann]

Wish it would enlarge a bit bigger...can't really see the comet. I'll see if I can't dig up something closer to the original size image at home later on.

[scriptfiller]

Kudos on the FF DSLR and as evidenced knowing how to use it VERY good, I've got my eyes on a MkII, the FF 5D series are awesome, one of these days plus a couple of "L" zooms.

Keep up the good work with that awesome machine!

[Uilleann]

Clinton, you may want to have a look at the Sigma and Rokinon line of lenses. They're both gaining huge ground in the lens market - and at a fraction of the cost of Canon branded glass. Of course, if money is no object, and you're looking to shoot amazing astro and landscape content, Zeiss is widely spoken of as the go to, even above and beyond the Canon L series. :)

[scriptfiller]

Uilleann, yes money is very much in a BIG object. Plans are to buy used through KEH, don't want to spend over $2.5K, 90% of my shots are between 24-400mm. Are the Sigma weather sealed? I live in FL so rain does enter the equation at times, also I cruise often to the Caribbean and want something I won't freak out if it takes a wave or two while out on excursion.

[Uilleann]

I can't speak for the Rokinon line, but I don't believe the Sigmas are weather sealed. I can confirm that my 24mm prime is not. I totally get the desire to keep things pristine and un-soggy! My wife and I like to go to the Holi color festival here, and it can be a disaster on a nice DSLR body. We've found the little rain jacket sleeves they make that attach around the lens, and your hands slip up inside (like a puppet almost!) to be almost indestructible. Might be another option regardless of lens? They're plenty affordable at least. This is what I picked up:

http://www.pictureline.com/collectio...ech-rainsleeve