If I Could Only Have Two Lenses: Voigtlander 35 APO and 65 APO
p.2 #1If I Could Only Have Two Lenses: Voigtlander 35 APO and 65 APO
pgrillone wrote:
I'm curious: if you were limited to only two lenses, what would they be?
In terms of focal lengths, that would be 28mm and 40mm. I also happened to love Voigtlanders, and they have two Noktons serving these two FLs nicely.
Unfortunately, most of my photography lately involves moving subjects. Manual focus is a dessert now, not a main meal anymore. Therefore I'm going with the 24mm and 35mm f/1.4 GM primes.
Edited on Jun 20, 2026 at 11:37 AM · View previous versions
I'm curious: if you were limited to only two lenses, what would they be?
In terms of focal lengths, that would be 28mm and 40mm. I also happened to love Voigtlanders, and they have two Noktons serving these two FLs nicely.
Unfortunately, most of my photography lately involves moving subjects. Manual focus is a dessert now, not a main meal anymore. Therefore I'm going with the 24mm and 35mm f/1.4 GM primes.
Edited on Jun 20, 2026 at 11:37 AM · View previous versions
Jun 19, 2026 at 10:27 PM
p.2 #2If I Could Only Have Two Lenses: Voigtlander 35 APO and 65 APO
I've lived this life. As an architecture student and later professor, I was fortunate to live in Europe on a number of occasions and found that a (then) 28-70 lens gave me just about everything I needed. Today, a 24-70 would just about do it. I do favor primes and if I were to build off of that approach I would choose a 20mm and a 40mm. Based on what's in my lens drawer that would be a Voigtlander 21mm Color Skopar f3.5 and a 40mm Nokton f1.2. I could see going with 21mm Nokton, but I don't currently own one.
Jun 20, 2026 at 08:18 AM
p.2 #3If I Could Only Have Two Lenses: Voigtlander 35 APO and 65 APO
Probably 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II and 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II.
Jun 20, 2026 at 09:36 AM
p.2 #4If I Could Only Have Two Lenses: Voigtlander 35 APO and 65 APO
Al Trujillo wrote:
The Voigtlander 35/2 APO and Voigtlander 65/2 APO.
I came to this conclusion years ago. They are the base of my landscape kit, which includes the Voigtlander 180/4 APO and Sigma 14-24/2.8 to round out the range.
Both are great lenses. The 65/2 is the best lens I have ever shot.I had to look closely at the signature on this reply because I could have easily typed the same response. I own both the 35/2 and 65/2 APO's and they are my 'go-to' landscape lenses. Rounding out the bottom is the same Sigma 14-24/2.8 and in between sits a CV 21/1/4 Nokton. And as you've stated, my opinion is similar in that the 65/2 is the best lens that I've also ever shot.
Brothers from different mothers!!
I've read good things about the CV 180/4 APO and would like to try one someday...kinda' hard to find though. Its a...Show more →
Agreed re the 180/4 APO. It's very good (and small), but not as good as the 35 or the 65, IMO. I don't think Voigtlander sold many units. I wish they would take another crack at the focal length and sell the lens native for Sony E-mount.
I used to shoot the Zeiss Loxia 21 as a complement to my landscape kit, but I got tired of the haptics so I sold it.
scrappydog wrote
pgrillone wrote
I'm curious: if you were limited to only two lenses, what would they be?I came to this conclusion years ago. They are the base of my landscape kit, which includes the Voigtlander 180/4 APO and Sigma 14-24/2.8 to round out the range.
Both are great lenses. The 65/2 is the best lens I have ever shot.
Brothers from different mothers!!
I've read good things about the CV 180/4 APO and would like to try one someday...kinda' hard to find though. Its a...Show more →
Agreed re the 180/4 APO. It's very good (and small), but not as good as the 35 or the 65, IMO. I don't think Voigtlander sold many units. I wish they would take another crack at the focal length and sell the lens native for Sony E-mount.
I used to shoot the Zeiss Loxia 21 as a complement to my landscape kit, but I got tired of the haptics so I sold it.
Jun 20, 2026 at 11:36 AM
p.2 #5If I Could Only Have Two Lenses: Voigtlander 35 APO and 65 APO
The 2 lenses I use most at the moment are the Sony 50mm f2.5 G and the Sony 50mm f1.4 GM
Jun 20, 2026 at 11:45 AM
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p.2 #6If I Could Only Have Two Lenses: Voigtlander 35 APO and 65 APO
I own a heap of lenses but, for two primes, a 28/85 combo works for me. In C/Y mount that would be the Distagon 28/2.8 and Sonnar 85/2.8; in M mount it is 28 Elmarit ASPH and 90 Elmar. All of these can work with my A1 or Z6, and make a really nice package (camera+lens on shoulder strap, other lens in jacket pocket). Easy.
Jun 20, 2026 at 07:37 PM
p.2 #7If I Could Only Have Two Lenses: Voigtlander 35 APO and 65 APO
I agree with others that 2 lenses is tough, variety is the spice of life haha. For me it depends on what I’m shooting. For most travel and all around stuff 16-35 GMII and the Sony 50-150 GM/Tamron 35-150 covers just about everything. Swap the longer zoom for a Tamron 28-200 if I’m going light. 150/200mm plus the cropping ability of the a7rV (combined with CIZ) would likely be my two. I could whittle down my lineup by quite a bit on the long end if the 50-150 GM was TC compatible.
If it’s more wildlife and landscape focused the 24-70GMII and 100-400 GM+TC’s is my choice.
Cheers
Chris
If it’s more wildlife and landscape focused the 24-70GMII and 100-400 GM+TC’s is my choice.
Cheers
Chris
Jun 21, 2026 at 08:30 AM
p.2 #8If I Could Only Have Two Lenses: Voigtlander 35 APO and 65 APO
If I’m limited to 2 primes it’s difficult. Probably a 35 and 75, possibly a 20 or even an 18 and a 50.
Jun 21, 2026 at 08:35 AM
p.2 #9If I Could Only Have Two Lenses: Voigtlander 35 APO and 65 APO
Two lenses is a challenge. But to play the game...
The Sigma 24-70 2.8 Art II -- A fantastic do it all lens. My first choice for waterfalls or other wet/dirty environments.
Canon TS-E 90 2.8 Macro L (Sigma MC11 adapter) -- A remarkably flexible lens, sharp, APO level correction and enough movements to let me forget I'm not using a view camera. The TS-E 50 or TS-E 135 would also be perfect choices.
The Sigma 24-70 2.8 Art II -- A fantastic do it all lens. My first choice for waterfalls or other wet/dirty environments.
Canon TS-E 90 2.8 Macro L (Sigma MC11 adapter) -- A remarkably flexible lens, sharp, APO level correction and enough movements to let me forget I'm not using a view camera. The TS-E 50 or TS-E 135 would also be perfect choices.
Jun 21, 2026 at 06:06 PM