[OzzRod]

Welcome everyone to this month’s Single Challenge.

Aim of the Game:To use the same lens each day for a month, posting one picture captured each day with that lens. The picture must be captured with a Pentax lens coupled to a camera body of your choice (including Pentax/Ricoh), or a non-Pentax lens provided it is coupled only to a Pentax or Ricoh body. (Taking other pictures with other cameras/lenses is fine, but these won’t be eligible for this Challenge).

Commenting: Posting your pictures allows other participants to comment on them. Conversely, it’s hoped that you will comment on those of other members. Please don’t be shy if you don’t have much photographic experience or are a Forum newbie - your personal reactions to photographs are as valid as anyone else’s. It’s a very friendly group and with regular commenting, you’ll soon be enjoying the camaraderie.

The rewards:It’s great fun. You’ll learn heaps about how your chosen lens can perform and you’ll see what other members achieve with their selected lenses - sometimes the same one you’ve chosen. In the comment banter you’ll pick up many tips on photographic technique generally, including post processing. As the month progresses it often becomes quite demanding (it’s a challenge, remember) but you’ll always be encouraged by other participants. Worried about LBA? - this game doesn’t help you fight it!

How to participate:

1. First you need to join the Group to be able to post pictures; you only have to do this once. The group’s name is “Monthly Photo Challenges”. You’ll find a clickable link on that forum page to join.

2. You’ll need to have your pictures stored in an on-line album. This could be the Pentax Forum, or others such as Flickr, Picassa etc. You actually post a link to the picture in your album into the daily picture thread.

** If you are linking to a Pentax Forum album, you’ll find advice on how to post elsewhere in the Forum and in the FAQs below. One of the Challenge’s stalwarts, patjp, has also prepared a short video on how to do this - it’s on YouTube (

You Tube

You Tube

)

** If you are posting a link to Flickr, just click on the sharing icon below your selected picture and a window will open displaying the BB code. Copy it and paste into the Single in (month) Challenge thread in the Pentax Forum.

Each day, you’ll see a new thread of pictures grow and by clicking on each you should be redirected to the photographer’s parent album where you will be able to add a comment and read those of others. When you post each day’s picture to the Pentax Forum, please specify the camera/lens combination underneath your picture eg K5 & DA15 Ltd - this makes it easy for others to note what combo you’re using.

The thread you’re painstakingly reading now is the Discussion Thread for Game > Single in (month).
This is separate to the picture posting thread referred to above and you’ll probably want to subscribe to the Discussion one to keep up with activities and develop a rapport with Challenge members. It’s the place where you can ask questions, offer advice, share concerns, suggest improvements, and often just participate in general banter related to this month’s challenge.

So there it is. It is easier than it might seem at first. If you miss a day, don’t worry. If you have any problems, please ask. We’re a very friendly, forgiving, international bunch. Come and try!

FAQs: Finally, Zorglub has kindly posted a FAQ collection here.

---------- Post added 25-10-14 at 08:27 PM ----------

ABSTRACT DAY: November 15

As a result of discussion of one of Zorglub's October images (here), challenge participants are encouraged to produce and post an ABSTRACT image as their contribution for November 15. It's not obligatory, but it's expected to be a lot of fun.

[mattt]

I'm thinking I'll have to give the DA 70 Ltd a try for the month. It has been quite a few months since I've played.

[mtux]

I'm in, definitely.
Lens to be announced.

ABSTRACT DAY: November 15 As a result of discussion of one of Zorglub's October images (here), challenge participants are encouraged to produce and post an ABSTRACT image as their contribution for November 15. It's not obligatory, but it's expected to be a lot of fun.

I like the idea, will be so much fun. looking forward to that day.

[photolady95]

I'm in but as for an abstract, not sure that will happen with the combo I'm thinking to use. I too have a 135 lens, after seeing mtux with his and his DCR-150, I think I'd like to try my Sears (Samyang) 135mm f2.8 and the DCR.

[mtux]

I'm in but as for an abstract, not sure that will happen with the combo I'm thinking to use. I too have a 135 lens, after seeing mtux with his and his DCR-150, I think I'd like to try my Sears (Samyang) 135mm f2.8 and the DCR.

Good luck with that setup, and a macro setup is a great tool for abstract works, I think.

[pbancr]

I'll be out until springtime. Need to concentrate on my band and upcoming gigs! Will be checking in periodically to see all your good work.

[ChristianRock]

I have a question... Is it ok to use another lens during the month as long as you post one picture a day with your challenge lens?

[photolady95]

Yes, you can use another lens, as long as the lens you have chosen in the monthly challenge is used for a least one photo. I carry all my lenses with me when I go somewhere to shoot, and have been known to switch out my monthly lens in favor of getting a different shot. Though most only carry one lens so to not be opening the camera to dust, having to switch lenses in the field.

[discharged]

... I carry all my lenses with me when I go somewhere to shoot,..

If you have the same LBA as I do you must be stroooooong!

I'm going to give this challenge a try! I have just ordered a Pentax FA* 28-70 and it should arrive on tuesday. So I'm thinking it might be a nice way to get to know my new lens, I hope zooms are allowed

[mattt]

I hope zooms are allowed

You have to duct tape them at one focal length....


/snicker

J/K - welcome aboard.

[photolady95]

Sure, zooms are allowed. But usually, I just chose one focal length, like my lens I'm using this month is the DA 50-200mm WR ED, but used at 200mm most of the time.

You're funny Matt!

[OzzRod]

Great start already with a couple of new faces; a pity Pam that you're going to absent for a longish while.

I'm in and I'll be using my SMC Pentax-M 28mm f2.

[discharged]

You have to duct tape them at one focal length....


/snicker

J/K - welcome aboard.

Well, duct tape does match in color...

[Sandy Hancock]

I'll fire up again (of course). My intention for October was to use the DA15, but I *hated* the landscape I took with it on the first, switched to the DA21 and the rest is history. I should man up and stick with it for a full month - it is a lens I have never really warmed to (heresy, I know) so it will be a real challenge.

Then again, I have never managed a full month with my FA77, but that would be too easy

[jackassp]

I'll be in again, barring any other health hiccups.

Another month with a "K" series lens, K28/3.5 or K35/3.5 or K50/1.4, I'm leaning towards the latter two..

or maybe join Sandy and use the DA15 limited...