2026 Landscape + Astro Gear Cheat Sheet
Quick-reference guide for buying the right landscape and astrophotography equipment. Australian pricing, field-tested recommendations, honest talk about what actually matters.
Feb 2026
Landscape + Astro
DKP
Gear Decision Tree → Start Here
| Your Goal | Budget | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| Start Landscape Photography | $1,500–2,500 | Nikon D750 (used) + Samyang 14mm f/2.8 + Leofoto LS-284C tripod |
| Add Milky Way to Current Kit | $400–1,500 | Fast wide prime (f/1.8–2.8): Sigma 16mm f/1.4 (APS-C) or Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S (FF) |
| Pro-Level Reliability | $4,000–7,000 | Nikon Z6 III / Sony A7 IV + wide prime + versatile zoom + carbon tripod |
| Maximum Resolution (Prints) | $6,000+ | Sony A7R V (61MP) / Nikon Z8 (45MP) + pro-level glass |
Camera Body Checklist
- ✓20+ megapixels (24–45MP sweet spot)
- ✓Full-frame sensor (better low-light)
- ✓ISO 6400+ usable (for Milky Way)
- ✓Manual controls (full exposure)
- ✓Dual card slots (failure insurance)
- ✓Weather sealing (Australian conditions)
Lens Checklist (Astro)
- ✓f/2.8 or faster (f/1.8 ideal)
- ✓14–24mm focal length (ultra-wide)
- ✓Low coma (sharp stars to corners)
- ✓Manual focus acceptable (you're on tripod)
Why f/2.8 matters: f/2.8 gathers 4× more light than f/5.6 kit lens. f/1.8 gathers 8×. Shorter exposures = less star trailing = sharper stars.
Tripod Checklist
- ✓Carbon fibre (lighter + more stable)
- ✓Load capacity 3kg+ (handles body + lens)
- ✓4-section legs (ground-level angles)
- ✓Removable centre column (low angles)
- ✓Quality ball head (Arca-Swiss compatible)
Budget Allocation Rule
Never spend more on the body than you spend on lenses + tripod combined.
| Total Budget | Body | Lenses | Tripod | Access. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | $900 45% |
$600 30% |
$400 20% |
$100 5% |
| $5,000 | $2,200 44% |
$1,800 36% |
$700 14% |
$300 6% |
| $10,000 | $4,000 40% |
$4,000 40% |
$1,500 15% |
$500 5% |
Astro Exposure Quick Reference
Milky Way (No Tracker)
Focal Length
14–24mm
Aperture
f/1.8–2.8 (wide open)
Shutter Speed
500 Rule: 500 ÷ focal length
ISO
3200–6400
Focus
Manual, infinity (live view mag)
Examples:
14mm: 35s max • 20mm: 25s max • 24mm: 20s max
Star Trails (Stacked)
Focal Length
14–35mm
Aperture
f/2.8–5.6
Shutter Speed
30–60s per frame
ISO
800–1600
Interval
1–2s gap between shots
Total time: 30–90 minutes (60–180 frames)
Tracked Deep-Sky
Focal Length
35–200mm
Aperture
f/2.8–4
Shutter Speed
2–5 min (depends on tracking)
ISO
800–1600
Requires
Star tracker, polar alignment
Common Mistakes (Avoid These)
- ✗Expensive body, cheap lens/tripod
Fix: Invest more in glass and support - ✗Buying gear you "should" have
Fix: Rent first, confirm you'll use it - ✗Ignoring weather sealing
Fix: Australian conditions destroy unsealed gear - ✗Overpaying for unused specs
Fix: AF speed, burst rate, 8K video = irrelevant for landscape. Kit zooms (f/3.5-5.6) too slow for astro—you can use f/4 but need high ISO (6400+) - ✗Cheap tripod "to start"
Fix: $400 carbon lasts 10+ years. $120 fails in wind
Essential Accessories
Field Essentials
- Spare batteries (2–3 for cold astro) — ~$80 ea OEM
- Fast memory cards (UHS-II, 128GB) — ~$100
- Intervalometer/remote — ~$25–80
- Headlamp (red mode) — ~$60
- Microfibre cloths — ~$15
Astro-Specific
- Dew heater strap (prevents condensation) — ~$50
- Star chart app (PhotoPills, Stellarium) — $10–free
Landscape Filters
- Circular Polariser (82mm) — ~$150–300
- 6-stop ND filter (ND64) — ~$150–250
- Step-up rings — ~$20
Upgrade Priority Order (When You Have Budget)
| # | Upgrade | Impact | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fast Wide Lens | Biggest IQ jump for astro + landscape | $400–1,400 | Your current lens is f/3.5 or slower |
| 2 | Carbon Fibre Tripod | Sharper images, better stability | $350–700 | Your current tripod flexes or limits low angles |
| 3 | Second Lens (focal coverage) | Creative flexibility, less lens swapping | $600–2,000 | You constantly wish for different focal length |
| 4 | Camera Body | Better files, weather sealing, dual cards | $2,000–6,000 | Current body failing OR printing large (1m+) |
| 5 | Star Tracker | Longer exposures, deeper sky detail | $400–800 | You've mastered single-frame Milky Way shots |
Best All-Rounder: Nikon Z
Why: Excellent ergonomics, great 1.8 primes, strong weather sealing
Bodies: Z5 (entry), Z6 III (enthusiast), Z8 (pro)
Best Lens Selection: Sony E
Why: Most third-party support (Sigma, Tamron, Samyang)
Bodies: A7 III (budget), A7 IV (versatile), A7R V (high-res)
Best Build Quality: Canon RF
Why: Superb optics, excellent weather sealing, best AF
Bodies: R8 (compact), R6 II (enthusiast), R5 (pro)
Best Size/Weight: Fujifilm X
Why: Compact APS-C, film simulations, tactile controls
Limitation: APS-C sensor = worse astro low-light than full-frame
Where to Buy (Australia)
New Gear
- DigiDirect (competitive, physical stores)
- Camera House (local support)
- Ted's Cameras (price-match policy)
- Georges Cameras (pro support)
Used Gear
- CameraPro (Sydney, good reputation)
- Facebook Marketplace (test in person)
- eBay Australia (check seller carefully)
Grey Import Warning: Saves $200–500 but voids local warranty. Buy local for bodies >$3K, grey okay for lenses.
Dylan's Gear Pricing Access
I'm an authorised reseller for brands that matter for landscape/astro:
- ✓NiSi Filters — CPL, ND, light pollution, V6/V7 systems
- ✓Leofoto Tripods — Carbon legs, heads, L-brackets
- ✓Nikon 10% Off — Genuine Australia stock (cameras + lenses)
Typical savings: Varies by item. Full Australian warranty. No kickback to me—just passing on trade pricing to serious buyers ready to purchase.
Contact: info@dylanknight.com.au with subject "Gear Inquiry - [item]" for pricing within 24 hours. No pressure if you buy elsewhere.
Before You Buy — Ask Yourself
- ✓Have I rented/borrowed similar gear to test?
- ✓Will this fill a gap in my current kit?
- ✓Can I use this for 3+ years without regret?
- ✓Am I upgrading gear when I should upgrade skills?
- ✓Does this fit my actual shooting style (not aspirational)?