Podcast: Allan's 10 Favorite Lenses

This is a wonderful conversation for fans of mirrorless cameras, of classic lens design, of the venerable M-mount, and, really, of photography. The joy that our host Allan Weitz exudes while discussing a few of his current favorite lenses is as contagious as it is educational. And I feel that this episode provides a bolt of creative curiosity that might infuse my own photography.

For this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we asked Weitz to draw up a list of 10 favorite lenses from his personal collection. To be sure, these are not lenses sitting on a shelf or behind glass; these are accessible, affordable lenses that he incorporates regularly into his photography practice, but each has a certain signature or special feature that merits recognition. Most, like the Voigtländer VM 40mm f/2.8 Heliar Lens for Sony E-Mount or the 7Artisans Photoelectric 50mm f/1.1 Lens for Leica M can be purchased new, while some, such as the Zeiss Hologon T* 16mm f/8 lens, are still readily found in the used market. Others, like the Nikon NIKKOR 50mm f/1.2 lens, are perennial favorites, while the Voigtländer Nokton 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical Lens seems classic but is relatively new to the market.

While discussing these lenses, we stumble upon a mound of good photography chatter, including practical uses for these optics, tips for using extension tubes and mount adapters, notes on camera history, and plain simple fun facts. Toward the end of the episode we talk about the B&H Used Department, and Jason Tables and I share our current favorite lenses, as well.

Join us for this breezy but informative episode and let us know your favorite lenses in the Comments section, below.

Photograph © Allan Weitz

Nikon NIKKOR 50mm f/1.2 Lens © Allan Weitz

Zeiss 16mm f/8 Hologon Lens © Allan Weitz

Voigtländer Nokton 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical Lens © Allan Weitz

ZEISS Biogon T* 25mm f/2.8 ZM Lens © Allan Weitz

Voigtländer Heliar 50mm f/3.5 Lens

Voigtländer VM 40mm f/2.8 Heliar Lens for Sony E-Mount

Three Lenses © Allan Weitz

Taken with Zeiss Biogon 25mm f/2.8 ZM using Leica OUFRO Extension Tube © Allan Weitz

Taken with Zeiss Hologon T* 16mm f/8 lens © Allan Weitz

Taken with Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5 lens © Allan Weitz

Taken with Voigtlander Nokton 75mm f/1.5 lens © Allan Weitz

Taken with the Nikon NIKKOR 50mm f/1.2 AI-S lens © Allan Weitz

Taken with Nikon Reflex-NIKKOR 500mm f/5 lens © Allan Weitz

Taken with Nikon Reflex-NIKKOR 500mm f/5 lens © Allan Weitz

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Host: Allan Weitz
Senior Creative Producer: John Harris
Senior Producer: Jason Tables
Executive Producer: Lawrence Neves