Although it's tempting to want a single lens which does everything for travel, I hate having to walk round with a big heavy lump on the camera when all I want is something wide. For example, I find the DA 17-70/4 is really too big and unbalances the camera too much, especially if I'm trying not to look like a lost tourist.

My preference is for a smallish standard zoom (or couple of primes), combined with a compact telephoto prime - something like an M135/3.5 (200mm equivalent on APS-C) - for when I need more reach.

If you're actually in Southampton, you could consider Solent Sky link they have a Sandringham, various Supermarines and some other seaplane/flying boat exhibits (being near Calshot Spit where they used to operate from).

My web searches turned out a reference to a projection lens for cine - but this confused me as I could only find references to smaller formats link

I have the P6x7 165/2.8 lens - not as fast but a much more practical option.

My only experience of water in a camera was a film era SFXn which got so wet I had to remove the lens and drain the mirror box - still worked flawlessly afterwards. My Z-1 (not supposedly sealed) was thouroghly drowned in dust at Manchester airport (made it's way into all the control recesses), again no problems. My WR Zoom 90 compact has been sozzled in countless pints over the years - "It's water resistant!" splosh...

I don't have any weather sealed lenses, I wouldn't use my K-5 in the wet, but I'm happy to use a mechanical film camera and cheap lenses in any conditions.

I've seen the refurbished offers, some good savings, depending on what 'refurbished' means, but have decided not to buy a K-1*. The price-hikes shortly before a load of offers, then a bunch of much lower prices springing up on various on-line only retailers, then back to full-whack-plus just seems like a lottery. No wonder some low-volume off-line retailers don't want to know - they're likely to have bought expensive stock only to find prices plummeting.

Such pricing variations must be down to the manufacturer/distributer as the retailers claim to make no margin and therefore can't suddenly offer significant discounts across the range.

* Another reason is that I've been adding to my P6x7 system which is much more satisfying to shoot.

Lots of good suggestions, I'll add a couple of my own - Lepe Country Park (more specifically the remains of the D-Day Mulberry Harbours construction site) and Hurst Spit & Castle - both give great views of the Solent and Isle of Wight, but are a bit out of the way of 'direct route'.

When I bought the FA20-35 (I don't have a K-1 - I only use it on film), I realised I had no need for a longer standard zoom. I rarely use anything longer than the 35mm end until I get to about 150mm (unless it's a 50mm prime).

Hi Gareth, these are fantastic, numbers 2 & 3 particularly, number 2 is awesome, keep up the good work...

I think it's good to be able (or have an excuse) to get away from everything, even for just a few minutes and have some 'me time' as they say. I'm old enough (and hopefully wise enough) to not worry about social media or fitting in with any particularly popular conventions - everyday life though can sometimes be a battle.

Going for a walk with a camera is a break from the day to day humdrum - I rarely get the chance but when I do, I feel it's worth the time to take things slower. I shoot mostly MF film, I spend all day with computers in an office full of geeky 20 somethings - my P6x7 shuts them all up if they get opinionated. Getting away from your usual environment can make a huge difference and gives you a different slant to feed your creativity.

Stick with it, get out there (even for a few minutes) - it may not magically fix any of the problems you may be dealing with, but a few minutes of respite must be good for you...

I can't comment about K-1 performance as I don't have one, but the FA20-35/4 is a great lens on film - wide & fast enough, compact and (in my case) has an aperture ring. I bought it because both the FA20 & FA24 lenses were hard to find and expensive and I couldn't make my mind up which would be better, the FA* 24/2 was too big/heavy anyway.

When film was the only option, 20mm was ultra-wide, the only wider options were fish-eyes. Now everybody seems to want wide-angles down to 12mm or so with corner to corner sharpness, low distortion and a lens profile to remove the last remnants of it...