Steve Spencer wrote:
On the zoom front it is interesting that no one mentioned the 24-70 f/2.8 II GM that is widely regarded as an excellent lens and no one mentioned the 16-35 f/2.8 II or the 12-24 f/2.8 either even though both are seen as top notch lenses. I think all the other GM lenses were mentioned at least once.
And with all the Voigtlander mentioned it is interesting that no one mentioned the 50 f/2 APO, which I might have guessed would have the most mentions.
Unless I'm mistaken the 100-400 GM didn't show up, and there was one mention of the 50mm APO-Lanthar.
Sep 07, 2025 at 01:32 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
telyt wrote:
Unless I'm mistaken the 100-400 GM didn't show up, and there was one mention of the 50mm APO-Lanthar.
One person did mention the 100-400 GM (I counted jeffbuzz's mention on page 3 even though he indicated his one lens would be the 70-200 f/4 II).
And I just checked again and jaybr did mention the 50 f/2 APO on page 3, and I somehow skipped his mentions so yes that lens was mentioned but I believe only once.
I also missed Sandy2700's mention of the 85 f/1.4 GM II on page 2 and with the mention of it after my count by lethimcook on page 6, that lens is now up to 2 mentions, so another Sony GM with at least 2 mentions.
Steve Spencer wrote:
The second surprising thing, but it fits my own experience is the number of Voigtlander lenses that come up. There are 5 Voigtlander lenses that are mentioned at least twice which is second to only Sony.
This place is basically the unofficial Voigtlander marketing department. I have 4 that I bought solely as a result of the discussions here.
Interesting thread, what surprises me is seeing no mention at all of the CV 50mm f1.2. I was under the impression that was a popular lens.
For my own choice, I'll pick something not on this list yet. The Samyang 45 mm f1.8. Of all the lenses I've tried to date, this one remains a favorite. I think it's delivered the most keepers out of all my lenses.
Erichimedes wrote:
Interesting thread, what surprises me is seeing no mention at all of the CV 50mm f1.2. I was under the impression that was a popular lens.
Yes, that surprised me too. I was foolish enough to actually take the original post seriously, and I went back and forth between the CV and the GM for a long time. And even though I prefer the CV because of its size and weight, and I actually like the pictures from the CV a bit better, in the end, convenience and the reassuring feeling of not having to worry about CA with the GM usually win out for me.
Steve Spencer wrote:
It is interesting what Sony GM lenses didn't get any mentions. I was the only one who mentioned the 85 GM original version and you were the only one who mentioned the 85 GM II. No one mentioned the 24 GM, which is a lens I really liked when I had it. No one mentioned the 50 f/1.4 GM either. That no one mentioned the 14 GM perhaps isn't so surprising given that it is so wide--perhaps there just aren't that many owners of that lens.
On the zoom front it is interesting that no one mentioned the 24-70 f/2.8 II GM that is widely regarded as an excellent lens and no one mentioned the 16-35 f/2.8 II or the 12-24 f/2.8 either even though both are seen as top notch lenses. I think all the other GM lenses were mentioned at least once.
And with all the Voigtlander mentioned it is interesting that no one mentioned the 50 f/2 APO, which I might have guessed would have the most mentions....Show more →
Given that everyone seems to interpret the original question differently, the result is pretty meaningless anyway. But that's probably true for all questions in the subjunctive mood.
benjimouse wrote:
This place is basically the unofficial Voigtlander marketing department. I have 4 that I bought solely as a result of the discussions here.
The Sony 70-200 gm ii is definitely my most used lens, and it’s so damn versatile and effective I have a hard time imagining parting with it. But the 50-150 would sure be excellent for a lot of what I do, and if I’m able to sell enough other gear to raise the funds for it, it might usurp the 70-200, ( landscapes be dammed … or just use a lighter Tamron super zoom lens for when I go hiking…).
There are others I love for less logical reasons, but nothing is immune to the chopping block if I’m not using it. After all, these are mass produced, and can always be bought again or even rented. My musical instruments though…. Much harder to get rid of!
I've been mucking around with other lenses recently, but the Loxia 25/2.4 is seriously amazing in terms of eye-shredding razor sharpness, pop, and "Zeiss colors".
Much of the time, I prefer the Nokton look; less in-your-face, smoother. But when you want in-your-face, the Loxia 25 is the answer.
I think that the 16-35 GM II is easily the best wide zoom I have ever used. It controls distortion and vignetting well, and it competes favorably with the 24 and 35 GMs for sharpness from about f/4 onward. It absolutely delivers and can be the “one lens” on a trip when you don’t want to take a bag of lenses. I have similar affinity for the 100-400 GM…also super reliable. No complaints.
The problem I have with both - likely the problem is between my ears - is that neither of those (arguably amazing) zooms inspires me while shooting, like the 24, 35, 135, or 300 GMs do.
My psychological problems here help to stimulate the economy, I guess but are hard to justify as being grounded in any logic.
Jim
telyt wrote:
Unless I'm mistaken the 100-400 GM didn't show up, and there was one mention of the 50mm APO-Lanthar.
Grenache wrote:
I think that the 16-35 GM II is easily the best wide zoom I have ever used. It controls distortion and vignetting well, and it competes favorably with the 24 and 35 GMs for sharpness from about f/4 onward. It absolutely delivers and can be the “one lens” on a trip when you don’t want to take a bag of lenses. I have similar affinity for the 100-400 GM…also super reliable. No complaints.
The problem I have with both - likely the problem is between my ears - is that neither of those (arguably amazing) zooms inspires me while shooting, like the 24, 35, 135, or 300 GMs do.
My psychological problems here help to stimulate the economy, I guess but are hard to justify as being grounded in any logic.
You’re not crazy! 🙂. Inspiring tools matter. I always get my best images with the lenses I love using. That’s why I don’t use any slow f/4 zooms anymore. I tried for years with them and couldn’t ever get excited using them. But now when I put on a 21/1.4 or 28/1.4 or 50/1.0, my brain gets happy and I see more images. Well…maybe we are crazy. 😂
Limiting it to just one lens is a challenge, but I have two lenses that work very well on my Actus, and would be hard to replace: a 105/5.6 Apo-EL-Nikkor, and a 150/4 SK Apo-Componon.
The 180/4 is one of my all time favorites. Prices seem to be somewhat sane again. I had to sell my in graduate school for rent, but it is on the list to reacquire this summer as a birthday gift for myself.
The lens I did not sell and will never part with because of its optical characteristics, though, is the Zeiss (the Planar AF for Sony) 50mm f/1.4. Obscenely large, not f/1.2, but it just has a magic about it. I think it is my favorite rendering fast 50. grantgoodes wrote:
Without a doubt my number one keeper is the Noct-Nikkor 58/1.2 AiS. After that my two Voigtländer APO-Lanthars: 125/2.5 & 180/4. All of these are irreplaceably useful and now priced beyond my pain-threshold.
