Desert Island Lens?

Paul the Sunman · 04-25-2021, 02:57 PM - **1 Like**

B&H are running an article at the moment entitled What is your "Desert Island" Lens? They say: We asked several B&H employees, members of the B&H Creative Partnership Team, and a few of our B&H partners what was the one lens they could not live without (and why). There are 20 in all.

Of course, there are no Pentax lenses selected, but also only one Canon. Sony seems to be the popular choice. Some choose primes and some zooms. The Sony 24-70 is a popular selection.

Let's have our own little parochial Pentax version. I think it has been asked before, but the B&H article prompts me to revisit the topic. Some of the newer lenses may pop up (the 11-18 anyone?). So, if you were limited to just one (Pentax) lens on a desert island (or whatever environment of your choice), which would it be? Would you try to cover all bases with a superzoom, or accept the discipline of a fine prime? Or would some limited zoom range suffice?

**jatrax** · 04-25-2021, 03:11 PM

One lens only?

K-1 DFA 28-105
K-3 DA 16-85

**GUB** · 04-25-2021, 03:26 PM - **1 Like**

I would go for a nice fast prime. Best lens to start a fire with!
After all there is not going to be a computer to view your shots nor any power to charge the batteries.
Reality is shite isn't it!
EDIT Oh I see the Canon thread descended into practicalities too!

texandrews · 04-25-2021, 03:37 PM

645Z, tough call....FA 45-85 I guess---and it's actually a fine lens, although the 55 popped into my head first. The latter if weight was a concern (weight????with a 645Z? snort..)
K1mkII...indeed, maybe the 28-105. Right now the 24-70 is kinda glued to the body, but that's a function of how I need to use it at work. But these days I might just leave off at the wide end to gain the 105...plus the weight reduction here is significant. Usually that means a diminution in quality/IQ, but nor really here. Basically you're giving up speed. But given the K1mkII's great iso performance, I could easily live with that.

**ffking** · 04-25-2021, 03:44 PM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

Sony seems to be the popular choice.

On a desert island? - wouldn't trust their weather sealing - much better go with Pentax

**gofour3** · 04-25-2021, 04:23 PM - **1 Like**

35mm: K or A50/1.2
6x7: 67 75/2.8 AL

Phil.

glencraig59 · 04-25-2021, 04:38 PM - **1 Like**

K28/2: the One that stays.

**RICHARD L.** · 04-25-2021, 04:54 PM - **1 Like**

I saw the article. How do you recharge your battery on a Desert Island or upload your pictures ?

It depends how long you are stranded, really, and if you have power, shelter and food.

Regards

P.S. DFA 28-105 mm HD for the K1, FA 33-55 mm f/4.5 for the 645Z

.

asahi67 · 04-25-2021, 05:06 PM

I would take:
K1-15-30
K3-15
K3 III 150-450 with 1.4 TC

lesmore49 · 04-25-2021, 05:17 PM - **1 Like**

I seem to recall that Bert Keppler, famous editor of both Modern Photography and Popular Photography magazines back in the old days, once had a column about which lens would he have, if he could only have one lens and that if he was marooned on a desert island.

His choice the Pentax fisheye of the past. I believe he updated the lens choice in later years and selected the Pentax 10-17mm fisheye lens, as his new choice. If I recall he selected the Pentax fisheye due to it's quality, versatility...zoom, fisheye to wide...wide angle @ 17mm...if you move it all about till you get the right look through the viewfinder. Even can serve as a bit of macro.

Given Mr. Keppler's expertise, I bought a Pentax fisheye, 10-17 about 10-11 years ago. Great lens, and after many hours of use, I would agree with Bert. Also in order to use this fine lens you would also need a Pentax K mount camera. An added bonus.

swanlefitte · 04-25-2021, 05:22 PM - **6 Likes**

A* 1200mm to look for ships. On the new k3iii.

**Serkevan** · 04-25-2021, 05:30 PM

Like others, I'd take the 28-105. It might not be the best at anything in particular, but it's second best at a bunch of things, and WR to boot

**cobbu2** · 04-25-2021, 05:41 PM

For the K-3 II/ K-5/ K-7, the one I use and depend on the most, the SMC -DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 DC WR

For the ME-Super/MX/ etc... the SMC-M 50/1.4

For the 6x7, the SMC 6x7 55mm f/4

These are the lenses that "live" on these cameras... until I need something else!

JohnMc · 04-25-2021, 05:51 PM

24mm f/3.5 SMC Takumar... and an S3 ... but the lab ship has to stop by, maybe quarterly

**DWS1** · 04-25-2021, 05:52 PM - **3 Likes**

Whichever lens has the largest elements in it so I can start a fire when the sun is out.

04-25-2021, 02:57 PM - 1 Like	#1
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Desert Island Lens? B&H are running an article at the moment entitled What is your "Desert Island" Lens? They say: We asked several B&H employees, members of the B&H Creative Partnership Team, and a few of our B&H partners what was the one lens they could not live without (and why). There are 20 in all. Of course, there are no Pentax lenses selected, but also only one Canon. Sony seems to be the popular choice. Some choose primes and some zooms. The Sony 24-70 is a popular selection. Let's have our own little parochial Pentax version. I think it has been asked before, but the B&H article prompts me to revisit the topic. Some of the newer lenses may pop up (the 11-18 anyone?). So, if you were limited to just one (Pentax) lens on a desert island (or whatever environment of your choice), which would it be? Would you try to cover all bases with a superzoom, or accept the discipline of a fine prime? Or would some limited zoom range suffice?

04-25-2021, 03:26 PM - 1 Like	#3
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,760	I would go for a nice fast prime. Best lens to start a fire with! After all there is not going to be a computer to view your shots nor any power to charge the batteries. Reality is shite isn't it! EDIT Oh I see the Canon thread descended into practicalities too! Last edited by GUB; 04-25-2021 at 03:32 PM.

04-25-2021, 05:06 PM	#9
asahi67 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Rainforest of Canada Vancouver Island and the sagebrush of southern Okanagan, BC Posts: 123	Desert Island lens I would take: K1-15-30 K3-15 K3 III 150-450 with 1.4 TC

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04-25-2021, 03:11 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	One lens only? K-1 DFA 28-105 K-3 DA 16-85

04-25-2021, 03:37 PM	#4
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,393	645Z, tough call....FA 45-85 I guess---and it's actually a fine lens, although the 55 popped into my head first. The latter if weight was a concern (weight????with a 645Z? snort..) K1mkII...indeed, maybe the 28-105. Right now the 24-70 is kinda glued to the body, but that's a function of how I need to use it at work. But these days I might just leave off at the wide end to gain the 105...plus the weight reduction here is significant. Usually that means a diminution in quality/IQ, but nor really here. Basically you're giving up speed. But given the K1mkII's great iso performance, I could easily live with that.

04-25-2021, 03:44 PM - 5 Likes	#5
ffking Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Old South Wales Posts: 6,038	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman Sony seems to be the popular choice. On a desert island? - wouldn't trust their weather sealing - much better go with Pentax

04-25-2021, 04:23 PM - 1 Like	#6
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	35mm: K or A50/1.2 6x7: 67 75/2.8 AL Phil.

04-25-2021, 04:38 PM - 1 Like	#7
glencraig59 New Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 12	K28/2: the One that stays.

04-25-2021, 04:54 PM - 1 Like	#8
RICHARD L. Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 6,582	I saw the article. How do you recharge your battery on a Desert Island or upload your pictures ? It depends how long you are stranded, really, and if you have power, shelter and food. Regards P.S. DFA 28-105 mm HD for the K1, FA 33-55 mm f/4.5 for the 645Z .

04-25-2021, 05:17 PM - 1 Like	#10
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,344	I seem to recall that Bert Keppler, famous editor of both Modern Photography and Popular Photography magazines back in the old days, once had a column about which lens would he have, if he could only have one lens and that if he was marooned on a desert island. His choice the Pentax fisheye of the past. I believe he updated the lens choice in later years and selected the Pentax 10-17mm fisheye lens, as his new choice. If I recall he selected the Pentax fisheye due to it's quality, versatility...zoom, fisheye to wide...wide angle @ 17mm...if you move it all about till you get the right look through the viewfinder. Even can serve as a bit of macro. Given Mr. Keppler's expertise, I bought a Pentax fisheye, 10-17 about 10-11 years ago. Great lens, and after many hours of use, I would agree with Bert. Also in order to use this fine lens you would also need a Pentax K mount camera. An added bonus.

04-25-2021, 05:22 PM - 6 Likes	#11
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	A* 1200mm to look for ships. On the new k3iii.

04-25-2021, 05:30 PM	#12
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Like others, I'd take the 28-105. It might not be the best at anything in particular, but it's second best at a bunch of things, and WR to boot

04-25-2021, 05:41 PM	#13
cobbu2 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2013 Location: North Potomac, MD Photos: Albums Posts: 1,427	For the K-3 II/ K-5/ K-7, the one I use and depend on the most, the SMC -DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 DC WR For the ME-Super/MX/ etc... the SMC-M 50/1.4 For the 6x7, the SMC 6x7 55mm f/4 These are the lenses that "live" on these cameras... until I need something else!

04-25-2021, 05:51 PM	#14
JohnMc Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 655	24mm f/3.5 SMC Takumar... and an S3 ... but the lab ship has to stop by, maybe quarterly

04-25-2021, 05:52 PM - 3 Likes	#15
DWS1 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 1,169	Whichever lens has the largest elements in it so I can start a fire when the sun is out.