© All photographs in this article are the exclusive property of Jamie Seidel and were taken with the Irix 21mm f/1.4 Dragonfly lens on the Canon 6DII or R6.
In the world of night photography, the lens you choose can be the difference between a good shot and a masterpiece. The Irix 21mm f/1.4 Dragonfly has emerged as a favorite among night sky photographers for its remarkable capabilities. This article explores the lens's features and how it enhances night photography, with insights from Jamie Seidel, a photographer from Viroqua, Wisconsin.
Jamie Seidel, with his deep passion for night photography, has utilized the Irix 21mm f/1.4 to its full potential. Running the popular Facebook group 'Stars, Star Trails, and Time-lapse,' which boasts over 22,000 users, Jamie has not only showcased his work but also created a community for like-minded astrophotography enthusiasts.
The Irix 21mm f/1.4 Dragonfly: A Night Photographer's Dream
The Irix 21mm f/1.4 Dragonfly is not just a lens; it's a gateway to the stars. Its wide aperture of f/1.4 allows more light to hit the sensor, making it perfect for capturing the elusive and faint details of the night sky. The 21mm focal length provides a broad field of view, essential for encompassing the sprawling expanse of the heavens above.
Cross-Compatibility: The Irix 21mm f/1.4 Dragonfly Across Camera Systems
A key feature of the Irix 21mm f/1.4 Dragonfly lens is its compatibility with various camera mounts. Designed for Canon EF, Nikon F, and Pentax K mounts, this lens also boasts 100% compatibility with the newer Canon RF and Nikon Z mirrorless systems when used with the respective mount adapters. This adaptability is crucial for photographers who have transitioned to or work with multiple camera systems. Importantly, these adapters do not compromise the lens's functionality, ensuring all electronic features work seamlessly across different camera bodies. This versatility makes the Irix 21mm f/1.4 an excellent choice for photographers looking to capture stunning night skies, irrespective of their camera brand.
Insights from Jamie Seidel
Jamie has incorporated the Irix 21mm f/1.4 into his arsenal to capture breathtaking nightscapes:
My reasoning for loving the 21mm is very simple. This focal length works perfectly for capturing something in the foreground while also being able to have the core of the milky way present. You get a good mix of ground vs sky. Having a f/1.4 aperture makes it really easy to light the foreground with some low-level lighting while keeping your ISO down. Which is also a huge benefit while shoot astrophotography. The moon can also be bright enough in a lot of cases to give your foreground that beautiful glow. (like my pictures from Alaska) Then you can have a very nice balanced clean image. The distortion on this lens is quite minimal too so it keeps the horizon and structures relatively straight. Which in turn keeps it so the scene still looks pretty natural. If there’s a lot of distortion you would have to try and fix those things in post. That can turn into some extremely time consuming stuff depending on what you have to do.
Alaskan Night Skies
He took the lens on his journey to Alaska a few months ago, resulting in a stunning collection of Aurora Borealis images. His photographs showcase the diverse capabilities of the lens in capturing different celestial phenomena.
Conclusion: The Night Sky Through Irix
The Irix 21mm f/1.4 Dragonfly lens proves to be an invaluable asset for night sky photography, as vividly demonstrated by Jamie's Alaskan escapade. Its combination of a wide aperture, broad field of view, and sharp imaging makes it a top choice for capturing the beauty of the night sky. Whether it's the Milky Way, Star Trails, or the Aurora Borealis, the Irix 21mm f/1.4 transforms these celestial wonders into stunning photographic art.