Single In Single in April (SiA) 2024 - announcement

[MoonMind]

Start Date

Apr 1, 2024

End Date

Apr 30, 2024

The Single in April 2024 (SiA 24) challenge is approaching!

What it's all about:

• One camera!
• One lens!
• One month!
• One image per day!

The key rules and considerations:

• Take at least one image per day during one month - and post (only!) one image to each day's thread. It's desirable to post the image on the very day it was taken to get into the groove and keep up the flow.
• Specify the gear you're going to use for the whole challenge beforehand - and stick with it. You may even try to shoot your chosen setup exclusively for the whole month - however, you should only try this if you're sure you can make it.
• Personal restrictions and additional demands you set up for yourself may help boost your creativity. A word to the wise, though: If you put too much pressure on yourself, it'll probably hurt rather than help.
• Interact with other participants, talk about the images you take and see as well as your own experiences related (or unrelated) to the challenge - in short, let's talk, have fun together and support each other.

There will be daily treads, an outtakes thread every eight days and a discussion thread for exchange and support.

For those concerned: We're carrying on with the "Today" challenge as well, as per usual.

We're keeping up our seven-month cycle for the "Single in" challenges. For more on that, see this post. The next "Single in" will be in November 2024.

Your host,
Matt

Participants and their chosen gear:

• Andrew (@agentlossing): Ricoh GRIIIx
• Charlotte (@Progresjon): Mint InstaFlex TLR70 Plus, results shot with a Panasonic S5 II
• Dave (@Alberta Dave): Olympus OM-D E-M10 II with Laowa 10mm f/2
• David (@davidzvi): Sony A7CR with FE 70-200mm f/4 G II
• Fred (@fredlong): Fujifilm GFX50R with Minolta 58mm f/1.4 (adapted)
• Don (@donlaw): Leica M11-P with Voigtländer 28mm f/1.5
• Glen (@Glennn): Panasonic GX85 with Sears 50mm (which? adapted)
• Gordon (@gordo): Pentax K3 III Monochrome with 21mm f/3.2 Ltd.
• Hanne (@Hanneke): Canon G5 X II
• Henry (@HenryBH): Panasonic G100 with 35-100mm f/4-5.6
• Irene (@Irene McC): Nikon Z fc with Nikon 55mm f/2.8 AI-S Macro (adapted)
• Jens (@JensM): OM System OM-1 with Olympus 60mm f/2.8 Macro
• Juli (@Juli): Fujifilm X100F
• Karen (@Briar): Fujifilm X-T5 with 35mm f/2
• Mark (@mpeterson): Nikon Z f with Z 40mm f/2 SE
• Marlof (@marlof): Nikon Z fc with Z 28mm f/2.8
• Martin (@theoldsmithy): Z 50 with 7Artisans 35mm f/1.4 II (APS-C)
• Matero (@Matero): Leica SL with Sigma 45mm f/2.8 C
• Matt (@MoonMind): Nikon Z f with 7Artisans 35mm f/1.4 II (FF)
• Miguel (@MiguelATF): Fujifilm XF10
• Rob (@Robmas4229): Fujifilm X-T5 with 27mm f/2.8 WR
• Rob (@Robot): Canon EOS R6 II with RF 24-70mm f/2.8
• Rose (@Rose McGillicuddy): Olympus OM-D E-M5 III with 12-100mm f/4 PRO
• Russ (@rrybicki): Nikon Z fc with Z 24mm f/1.7
• Steve (@drd1135): iPhone 12
• Tim (@Tim Williams): Nikon D7500 with Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 C
• Timo (@Iron): Pentax K-3 with 20-40mm f/2.8-4 Ltd.
• Tony (@tonyturley): Olympus PEN E-P7 with 17mm f/1.8
• William (@William Lewis): Leica M 240 with W-Nikkor 28/3.5 S (adapted)

As of: April 7rd, 10:55 CEST.

 

[MoonMind]

I'm going to try something new this time around: You'll be able to decide which of three lenses I'm going to shoot with for the whole month; nothing fancy or out of the ordinary, really, but since I want to explore every single one of them anyway, I'll get to the bottom of one of them during April:

• Yongnuo YN 35mm f/2 DF DSM
• 7Artisans 35mm f/1.4 II
• TTArtisan 50mm f/1.4

Very different beasts, but quite standard options at first glance. I could add other lenses to the mix, but having done these challenges for quite some time now, I'd rather stick with these pretty mundane choices this time around - I can pick something more exotic again later (and I will).

M.

 

[Herman]

@MoonMind which of the 3 lenses matches minimum size and weight most?
That lens will be acc to me your shooting lens.

 

[MoonMind]

@MoonMind which of the 3 lenses matches minimum size and weight most?
That lens will be acc to me your shooting lens.

That'd be the 7Artisans 35mm f/1.4 II - but I've shot with very big lenses before; here's the biggest combo I've ever chosen. None of the lenses is big in this case; actually, the Yongnuo and the TTArtisans are more or less the same size (though the TTArtisan is 50% heavier) ...

So, no size advantages apply (in my view).

M.

 

[Irene McC]

but I've shot with very big lenses before; here's the biggest combo I ever chose

That's a very nice bag (even though a tight squeeze)

 

[Irene McC]

I intend to join again - no idea what combination it will be, but the seed has been planted

 

[MoonMind]

That's a very nice bag (even though a tight squeeze)

My favourite - ONA Bowery, my first ever. But the strap has developed a life of its own - it detaches itself at random intervals. Not good when out and about (though nothing major has happened so far because of it). I'm now on my second Bowery ...

Actually, FWIW, I think I took a different bag back then - I was able to get the combo in, but not out too well. No harm done - I have quite a few bags ...

M.

 

[gordo]

Thanks Matt!

Lord willin' and the crick don't rise... I'll be in.

As of now, still have only one prime, the HD 21mm f/3.2 Limited. Likely on the K-3mkIII (color version) this time.

Being a month-ish away, that could change if gear changes.

 

[drd1135]

I’m going to be on vacation that last week of April. I may be considering (gasp) the iPhone 12.

 

[William Lewis]

Hmm. I'm still going to be doing my year long daily personal challenge with the Nokton 50/1.5 so I should do something else...

How about same camera, Leica M 240 but in April, for this challenge, I also do a picture a day with my Kobalux 28/3.5? Could be fun some mornings to explore doing the same topic with both lenses, one shot for each challenge?

OK: Leica M 240 with Kobalux 28/3.5

Matt, I'd vote for the TT Artisan lens for you.

 

[MoonMind]

Matt, I'd vote for the TT Artisan lens for you.

Noted.

The idea of one camera, several lenses for several challenges is a good one (been there, done that). That said, I tend to pick a second camera as well - but that's just a time saver (since the "Today" challenge doesn't require me to stick to any camera/lens combo).

M.

 

[MiguelATF]

I'm in, Matt! And a major thanks to you for organizing this and setting it up, two rather Herculean tasks in my opinion.
Camera and lens TBD.

Because I may (or may not) be obliged to travel at some point during April, I'm leaning towards either my smallest camera - the truly minuscule Fujifilm XF10 with its fixed 28mm equivalent equally minuscule lens - or to what has become my favorite smallish travel camera, the GX9 (and probably with my favorite smallish mu-4/3 lens, the PL15mm prime). I'm leaning towards the Fuji because I haven't shot with it as much as I've hoped to... and because it's so insanely pocketable.

In terms of which lens you should use on your Zf, I'm voting for the Yongnuo. Why? Curiosity, mainly. I'm familiar with (and appreciate many of) the characteristics of quite a few TTArtisan and 7Artisans lenses, but know virtually nothing about Yongnuo's offerings... so it would be fun to see how one of their lenses delivers the goods (or not) in your more than capable hands. Although... just to be contrarian... would it be possible to convince you to somehow get your hands on one of the Artra Labs lenses? That would be the one I would vote for in a flash, assuming you could 'score' one... can you?

 

[MoonMind]

Although... just to be contrarian... would it be possible to convince you to somehow get your hands on one of the Artra Labs lenses? That would be the one I would vote for in a flash, assuming you could 'score' one... can you?

Interesting idea - but the answer's most definitely no for those I'm interested in. Even the single one of the them that was labeled as "availble" is now "for preorder". The two versions of the 35mm f/1.4 (FF) and the 24mm f/1.7 APS-C are the ones I find intriguing - but they most likely wouldn't make it here in time, and I've pretty much covered the 35mm f/1.4 slot now anyway. So, I'll stick with the three lenses I have. There's an outside chance the lenses flip to "available"; I might reconsider if that happens (very improbable).

EDIT: The 24mm f/1.7, which was never actually available, is now marked as "sold out". Bummer - and, I'm sorry to say, slightly fishy, too. So, I think we can make this a definite "no", unfortunately.

M.

 

[rayvonn]

would it be possible to convince you to somehow get your hands on one of the Artra Labs lenses?

What good idea. I was afforded the temporary use of a hideously priced Noctlilux F1 recently. Bags of character for sure, maybe unique. But how unique? You see from what I’ve seen, that Astralabs 50mm F1.1 seems to my eyes to render pretty much the same from the results I was gettting with the Noctilux, 278 pounds brand new from their website (a lot less used) and also native to the Z Mount with closer focusing abilities than its M Mount sibling. It would be my first experience of the newly branded Chinese lenses which, as I understand it, have really improved over the last 3 years or so. Put this all together and it really makes sense for the challenge. The only thing is if I can get one in time for the challenge to start, but fwiw it’s on the radar.

 

[MoonMind]

What good idea. I was afforded the temporary use of a hideously priced Noctlilux F1 recently. Bags of character for sure, maybe unique. But how unique? You see from what I’ve seen, that Astralabs 50mm F1.1 seems to my eyes to render pretty much the same from the results I was gettting with the Noctilux, 278 pounds brand new from their website (a lot less used) and also native to the Z Mount with closer focusing abilities than its M Mount sibling. It would be my first experience of the newly branded Chinese lenses which, as I understand it, have really improved over the last 3 years or so. Put this all together and it really makes sense for the challenge. The only thing is if I can get one in time for the challenge to start, but fwiw it’s on the radar.

That'd be very intriguing! I can't justify getting that lens for the time being - what with having the Voigtländer Nokton 40mm f/1.2 and all - but would be highly interested in seeing some real world results (I've only seen images from the Mr. Ding variant for M mount anyway; I can't really access the sample images on the ArtraLab website because I don't use Instagram ... their bad).

A truely workable compact 50mm f/1.1 for Z mount would be great ... Having said that, the Voigtländer 40mm is pretty amazing, so ...

Anyway, I hope you can get the lens in time!

M.

 

[JensM]

I am IN!

Gear to be decided, but am already thinking about going compact and small sensor.

 

[marlof]

I’m in. Gear tbd.

 

[tonyturley]

I'm in for the challenge, in more ways than one. I'll use my new Olympus E-P7, along with my old Olympus Pen-F 38mm f1.8 lens. If I'm not zone focusing, then getting in-focus shots with that combination is quite the adventure. Focus peaking works fine with native lenses, but doesn't seem to work with adapted glass. Seems backward to me.

 

[rayvonn]

Focus peaking works fine with native lenses, but doesn't seem to work with adapted glass. Seems backward to me.

I'm amazed at that. You'd rather it was the other way round.

 

[gordo]

Question for Matt @MoonMind ...any one-day exceptions available?

If the weather cooperates and my health allows, I plan on shooting some of the eclipse on the 8th. We are in the 75%-80% zone, so no totality, but I can get a partial if conditions allow. I'm sure I'll be wiped out by the time I'm done shooting.

I don't want to shoot the eclipse on the Monochrome. I don't have a telephoto for the Zfc. And I really don't want to be changing lenses out in the dust and wind. If I can get into the Riparian area and there are others set up for the eclipse, could be a photo worth catching for the daily entry. I can use the 21mm on the Monochrome. Or I can use the 24/ 1.7 on the Zfc. Depending upon clothing and gear colors, color would likely look better. Just curious. I'll find a way to get a shot for the day regardless, but a shot of others in the background of my meager eclipse setup might be interesting.