Lenses: The Deserted Island List

chuckroast · May 23, 2024

OK, so we've all beat to death the "What 3 cameras would you want on a deserted island" sort of question.

I think a more interesting question might be....

What three lenses would you want on a deserted island? Assume that the appropriate camera/film/chemistry/software ... would accompany the lens choices.

chuckroast · May 23, 2024

My choices:

A Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron ASPH because it's one of the most versatile lenses I own.
(It just nudged out the Nikon 35mm f/1.4 AI-S.)

A Hasselblad 60mm f/3.5 Distagon which is just stupid sharp, contrasty, and versatile.

A 210mm f/6.8 Caltar IIE because it's small, tack sharp and delivers great contrast from afar or up close.

Honorable Mention:

A 19" or longer APO Artar because it would be accompanied 8x10 or larger view camera. I could use the bellows as a lens shade to keep out of the beating sun...

koraks · May 23, 2024

chuckroast said:
a deserted island

God, I hope it's a big place. I don't imagine I'd do much photography anymore after the first two weeks or so if it's small.

Anyway - something in the 17-24mm range. Something 85-135mm. And maybe a 35 or 50 for good measure. If there's lots of dystopian-derelict architecture on the island, I'd like the wide angle to be relatively free of barrel distortion. It'd be nice if flare wouldn't be too bad on any of them. Other than that, I don't really mind the specifics. Anything will do, really.

Nicholas Lindan · May 23, 2024

Wide, medium and telephoto for a Nikonos. The interesting stuff on a deserted desert isle is under the waves.

chuckroast · May 23, 2024

Nicholas Lindan said:
Wide, medium and telephoto for a Nikonos. The interesting stuff on a deserted desert isle is under the waves.

Hadn't thought about that. (I'm a DM but haven't been in the water in ages.)

Paul Howell · May 23, 2024

I would take a Nikonos, or a Minolta Dule which good for shallow snorkeling, a Pentax WR point and shoot, and a Minolta 9 with 28mm, 50mm and 70 to 200 G.

MattKing · May 23, 2024

One that can be used to start a fire.
And one attached to a Satellite phone - assuming of course that the deserted island lacks cel phone coverage.
Otherwise I probably would choose my standard 35mm carry around kit - all OM Zuiko - 24mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2 and 85mm f/2.
May I sneak in an extension tube or close-up tele-converter too?

bags27 · May 23, 2024

The greatest lens I've ever seen images from is the Leica 50mm Cron APO. It has a kind of magic like no other, though the Nikon 58 f/1.2 is also awesome in its own way. Just stick them on any film Leica or Nikon.

But since this is the analogue part of our site, my 3rd choice would be Kodachrome 25. Pretty much any lens/camera works brilliantly with that.

juan · May 23, 2024

12 1/2 inch rapid rectilinear for 8x10
8 1/2 inch triple convertible Protar for 4x5
Nikon 105mm for the F2 and digisnapper.

Pioneer · May 23, 2024

I am pretty sure it would be one of my Pentax 50mm lenses on my K1000 but I will admit the Nikonos does sound intriguing. I may have to investigate that option for the next one of these threads that comes along.

Pieter12 · May 23, 2024

None. where would I get film or even be able to process it? Maybe a lens to start a fire.

abruzzi · May 23, 2024

I'd want the lens on the top of a periscope, assuming the rest of the subarine came with it to take me home.

mshchem · May 23, 2024

I'm with Matt. To hell with anything that I can't make into fire, food or shelter. Then solar panels, a smoking laptop, Nikon D6 and all of my lenses.
Seriously 3 lenses.

28, 50 and 85 f1.4

c41 · May 23, 2024

Not really following the Desert Island theme for photography, it works a lot better for music, books etc!

I'd have to go with a super ultra telephoto so I can see things I wouldn't be able to otherwise - a Canon 1200mm f/8 - like help on the horizon. The other two lenses I'm thinking something underwater to get some nice photos of lunch, time to put a Rolleimarin to use, and the final lens a pure fondler to while away the lonely nights - some brassy Dallmeyer thing ooh.

Sirius Glass · May 23, 2024

Hasselblad 503 CX, Hasseblad 903 SWC, Nikon F100 and all my lenses
Lots of film

blee1996 · May 23, 2024

I will probably bring the Leica Elmarit-R 60/2.8 macro lens, to record the flora and fauna of the island.

Next maybe a large format Voigtlander Heliar 300/4.5 to take portraits of survivors on the island, in different stages of physical and mental abandon.

And finally a Carl Zeiss Planar 75/3.5 on a Rolleiflex 3.5F to cuddle for the cold island nights.

Helios 1984 · May 23, 2024

MattKing said:
One that can be used to start a fire.
And one attached to a Satellite phone - assuming of course that the deserted island lacks cel phone coverage.
Otherwise I probably would choose my standard 35mm carry around kit - all OM Zuiko - 24mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2 and 85mm f/2.
May I sneak in an extension tube or close-up tele-converter too?

I like the cut of your jib.

mshchem · May 23, 2024

A gyro stabilized Hasselblad 70mm and a F35 VTOL aircraft complete with a friendly (to me) aircraft carrier.

saffewsad · May 23, 2024

Helios 44-2 to signal passing satellites with the copious flare. Other than that a Nikon 50mm f/2, pre-AI, and a Mamiya-Sekor 80mm for the C330.

MattKing · May 23, 2024

Helios 1984 said:
I like the cut of your jib.

Actually, a boat to go with that jib might be even better!
Although it has been decades since I sailed a sailboat.

GregY · May 24, 2024

Steel rim 35mm Summilux
Rolleiwide 55 Distagon
8 1/2" Dagor gold rim

reddesert · May 24, 2024

I would like the nearly 6" diameter magnifying glass I had as a child, great for starting fires as others have mentioned. A condenser lens from a largish enlarger would do. For my second lens, a pair of binoculars to scan the horizon for passing ships. And for my third lens, since my singing voice isn't much to speak of, a searchlight or a lens to amplify a signal mirror, with which I could lure these passing ships onto the reefs and rocks to plunder.

dpurdy · May 24, 2024

80 mm Xenotar on my 2.8F. 355 red dot artar on my 8x10. 60 mm 2,8 Micro for my F100. But how am I going to buy and process film?

choiliefan · May 24, 2024

Pentax 6X7 105mm 2.4 for starters.

chuckroast · May 24, 2024

reddesert said:
I would like the nearly 6" diameter magnifying glass I had as a child, great for starting fires as others have mentioned. A condenser lens from a largish enlarger would do. For my second lens, a pair of binoculars to scan the horizon for passing ships. And for my third lens, since my singing voice isn't much to speak of, a searchlight or a lens to amplify a signal mirror, with which I could lure these passing ships onto the reefs and rocks to plunder.

Plundering is highly recommended.

Lenses: The Deserted Island List

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