Daily Challenge The April 2020 Challenge - discussions and insights

When I took part in the very first "Single In ............." challenge back in January 2012 there was a strict adherence to the rule of one camera, one lens throughout the month and I've stuck to that principle whenever I've taken part on subsequent occasions, although I have on at least one occasion used a camera with a non interchangeable zoom lens which enabled me to ring the changes. I've not had a good day today (Day 21), a combination of little sleep and living alone. The lack of sleep is probably caused by discomfort when lying down bought about by my bladder stones for which I've struggled many years to get diagnosed only to have the opportunity of an operation taken away by the present pandemic.

My bad day extended well beyond my participation in this challenge, I've basically done nothing all day and my entry for Day 21 was pretty uninspired to say the least.

Tomorrow with a forecast of lighter winds and sun from early in the day, this morning it was cloudy with light rain very early, I might at long last attempt to visit a different part of the parish as part of my bird monitoring work. My energy levels are very low so I don't know how far I'll get. I plan to take a very different camera and lens combination with me. Depending on what I get and whether I can get out later with my chosen camera and lens combination that I have used so far will determine whether I change my camera/lens combination for the challenge. I'm beginning to struggle to ring the changes with my macro set up. There's one plant I do want to take at some time before the end of the month but it's not yet fully in bloom, so I might end up changing for a few days only to change back before the end of the month. That's certainly not what I set out to do albeit I did pick a rather specialised set up in the knowledge that all photographs would be taken in the parish so I was prepared to tackle macro subjects and thought I could make it through the 30 days. Watch this space.

Barrie
Take it easy and feel better, my mother had stones years ago, knocked her flat.
 
Then do, David. There are times for self-control (and reasons), and others ... :)

M.
Trying to keep on track, I like the idea of forcing myself to learn more about how I can use what I've selected. This is far more challenging than the last two I've done, intentionally. I have the S56 f/1.4 specifically for the occasional portrait and for family gatherings to get candid shots, it's a nice middle ground between the 42.5mm/45mm and 75mm. I'm not sure it will change how I use it going forward, but it's nice to see what I can get out of it.
 
the three Z lenses I already have are all fantastic, and easily better than their AF-S counterparts. Now for the even more versatile and the more extreme stuff (50mm f/1.2 - yay) ...

M.

Which Z lenses do you have? I have the 24-70mm 4.0, the 14-30mm 4.0, and the 85mm 1.8, all of which I find to be outstanding (particularly the 85mm). I am on a waiting list for the 70-200mm 2.8 but I doubt I will buy it. Too large and for the rare occasion in which it gets used, I can continue to use my 70-200mm 4.0 G with the FTZ.

Unless it turns out to be a dog, I will get the 40mm 2.8 pancake as a walk around lens. I may get the 50mm 1.8, just because it is my preferred focal length, and that should be it for my Z system.
 
Which Z lenses do you have? I have the 24-70mm 4.0, the 14-30mm 4.0, and the 85mm 1.8, all of which I find to be outstanding (particularly the 85mm). I am on a waiting list for the 70-200mm 2.8 but I doubt I will buy it. Too large and for the rare occasion in which it gets used, I can continue to use my 70-200mm 4.0 G with the FTZ.

Unless it turns out to be a dog, I will get the 40mm 2.8 pancake as a walk around lens. I may get the 50mm 1.8, just because it is my preferred focal length, and that should be it for my Z system.
I have the Z 24-70mm f/4 as well, and the Z 35mm f/1.8 and Z 50mm f/1.8. The 50mm f/1.8 is a stunner (a great lens, even though it may be considered big), the 35mm is very good (visibly better than the 35mm f/1.8G ED I had). And for what it is, the 24-70mm is really quite impressive - I use it much more than I expected to. That said, the 50mm is the lens that's on the Z6 if I'm after the best results possible.

Funny thing: I kept the D750 around mostly to shoot with the 70-200mm f/4 G. I like it on the FTZ, but I like it much better on the D750. I also have the additional battery grip for the D750, so can turn it into one mean reportage setup. Apart form the old Nikon AF lenses that I keep around because they complement film setups, I only kept the 60mm f/2.8G Micro and the 85mm f/1.8G. The latter is a lens I really like - which saved me from considering the Z 85mm so far ...

However, no really compact lenses for the Z6 yet ... The major reason for keeping the Sony A7 II around are the small and fun lenses I have for it: Samyang 35mm and 24mm (though not quite as good as I'd like it to be) and, the king of them all, the Sigma 45mm f/2.8. I *love* that lens (I even bought the TechartPro TZE-01 to mount it on the Z6, but it wasn't really satisfying because it's frankly rather unpredictable as far as AF performance goes; besides, you lose all sealing). The Z6 is a much better and more competent camera, but the Sony provides the much smaller package (and still delivers nice results).

So, either Sigma gets the Z mount (and possibly even mount conversion from E mount to Z mount), or I'll simply have to try the Nikon Z 40mm f/2.8 ... And maybe the planned Z 60mm f/2.8 Micro can replace the 60mm f/2.8G - but honestly, that lens is so nice it'd have to be quite a bit of a step-up.

As it is, I'm really quite happy with my Nikon setup - except for the fact that smaller lenses are only available for bigger bodies ...

M.
 
When I took part in the very first "Single In ............." challenge back in January 2012 there was a strict adherence to the rule of one camera, one lens throughout the month and I've stuck to that principle whenever I've taken part on subsequent occasions, although I have on at least one occasion used a camera with a non interchangeable zoom lens which enabled me to ring the changes. I've not had a good day today (Day 21), a combination of little sleep and living alone. The lack of sleep is probably caused by discomfort when lying down bought about by my bladder stones for which I've struggled many years to get diagnosed only to have the opportunity of an operation taken away by the present pandemic.

My bad day extended well beyond my participation in this challenge, I've basically done nothing all day and my entry for Day 21 was pretty uninspired to say the least.

Tomorrow with a forecast of lighter winds and sun from early in the day, this morning it was cloudy with light rain very early, I might at long last attempt to visit a different part of the parish as part of my bird monitoring work. My energy levels are very low so I don't know how far I'll get. I plan to take a very different camera and lens combination with me. Depending on what I get and whether I can get out later with my chosen camera and lens combination that I have used so far will determine whether I change my camera/lens combination for the challenge. I'm beginning to struggle to ring the changes with my macro set up. There's one plant I do want to take at some time before the end of the month but it's not yet fully in bloom, so I might end up changing for a few days only to change back before the end of the month. That's certainly not what I set out to do albeit I did pick a rather specialised set up in the knowledge that all photographs would be taken in the parish so I was prepared to tackle macro subjects and thought I could make it through the 30 days. Watch this space.

Barrie
Your colleagues here all understand.
 
So far this SI...., Has been a hit and miss event for me. Couple or three decent shots, several slow ground balls, and 2 or 3 complete misses, I mean, I didn't even swing. I'm more than a little disappointed in myself. Photography just isn't as much fun as it use to be. But, neither are most things. Oh, I'm not giving up. Still in and swinging. (never was much of a ball player.)
I do want to express my appreciation for the hard work (and it is work), and quality work submitted by some of the folks here. Some of it is simply stunningly beautiful. I also appreciate folks posting work that wasn't your best, simply to be faithful to the challenge, and to your self. That is the only reason I have posted several of mine. Not proud of them, just trying to stay in the challenge. But, they were all a learning experience. Failure to do our best, that we are capable of, always teaches something useful.
Not much longer. We can!
 
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So what did I learn from shooting the Pen F today?

Well, yes I prefer the Pen F over the E-M1.2 for casual shooting (which is most of my shooting).

Could the Pen F be my only camera? I don't think so. Could a potential Pen F.2 be my only camera (say an E-M5.3 in a Pen F body)? I don't know.

But this has confirmed for me that the 12-45 f/4 PRO is going to be in my future. But there are other lenses referenced (place holder really) on the Olympus roadmap that are interesting as well. I could be an interesting year.
 
So what did I learn from shooting the Pen F today?

Well, yes I prefer the Pen F over the E-M1.2 for casual shooting (which is most of my shooting).

Could the Pen F be my only camera? I don't think so. Could a potential Pen F.2 be my only camera (say an E-M5.3 in a Pen F body)? I don't know.

But this has confirmed for me that the 12-45 f/4 PRO is going to be in my future. But there are other lenses referenced (place holder really) on the Olympus roadmap that are interesting as well. I could be an interesting year.
The 12-45mm is an ergonomic revelation. The 12-40mm may be even better constructed and more sophisticated, but the 12-45mm feels very satisfying in the hand, on camera and in use; the only thing that got me at first is the (comparatively) very light focus action, but that's not a downside. I still have to thoroughly test the lens (what with the April 2020 Challenge going on), but what I've seen so far, optics are top notch as well.

It finally transforms the E-M5 III into a camera I'd pick over just about any other ILC for casual walk arounds (and travel). The whole package weights just 720g (including the hand strap) - that's more than 500g lighter than the Z6 with 24-70mm f/4. I'm itching to take the combo out, but the switch to the D750 and primes for the challenge is now final - because it works.

Having a compact, reliable and competent setup for photo walks is invaluable. I like shooting the D750 with those ancient (by Nikon AF standards) primes, but even then, the camera is big and heavy (and you lose stuff *mumble*). I have switched to the 28mm; thanks to the days with the GR III, I'm pretty comfortable with the FoV, but the old first generation 28mm f/2.8 AF is a truely mediocre lens. That said, if you want a lens with a rather "classic" rendering for your Nikon DSLR, this is it (see my image for day 23).

The 20mm f/2.8D was surprisingly quite a bit of fun; I hope I'll remember that in the days and months to come ...

M.
 
The 12-45mm is an ergonomic revelation. The 12-40mm may be even better constructed and more sophisticated, but the 12-45mm feels very satisfying in the hand, on camera and in use; the only thing that got me at first is the (comparatively) very light focus action, but that's not a downside. I still have to thoroughly test the lens (what with the April 2020 Challenge going on), but what I've seen so far, optics are top notch as well.
Thanks for feeding the lens lust. I've been wondering if the 12-45 would be a suitable companion for the Pen F. On the other hand, I am sorely missing a light medium telephoto lens. the Lumix 35-100 2.8 and the PL 50-200 are highly regarded, but rather expensive. All the other smaller telephotos in the m4/3 universe are consumer grade lenses with less sterling reputations, although I did occasionally get some nice images with the Olympus 75-300 II when I had one.
 
.....Having a compact, reliable and competent setup for photo walks is invaluable. I like shooting the D750 with those ancient (by Nikon AF standards) primes, but even then, the camera is big and heavy (and you lose stuff *mumble*). I have switched to the 28mm; thanks to the days with the GR III, I'm pretty comfortable with the FoV, but the old first generation 28mm f/2.8 AF is a truely mediocre lens. That said, if you want a lens with a rather "classic" rendering for your Nikon DSLR, this is it (see my image for day 23).

The 20mm f/2.8D was surprisingly quite a bit of fun; I hope I'll remember that in the days and months to come ...

M.
It's funny, I never considered myself a prime shooter when I was shooting Nikon (the D750 and D800 were my last DSLRs). I owned:
  • Nikon10.5mm DX fish
  • Sigma 30mmf/1.4 DX
  • Nikon 35mm f/2
  • Nikon 85mm D F/1.4 & 1.8
  • Nikon 105mm AF-S VR Macro
  • Nikon 180mm D F/2.8
Thinking back, I used them as the tool they were and not "I want to go shoot say 28mm street stuff", if that makes sense. The 180mm was just my MUCH lighter than a 70-200mm f/2.8 event telephoto; the 35mm was what I used for details. I think I still look at the S56 in those terms, it's my portrait and low light short/medium telephoto for family and friend events around the house. But 25mm and under? I'm finding I'm enjoying intentionally picking a prime with mirrorless. Subconsciously it probably started with the P14mm, consciously with the Fuji X70.

So for my 25mm and under.......

I had the O25mm f/1.8, a really nice lens, but I'm finding I like the PL25mm f/1.4 even though the O25mm would be lighter on my Pen F (swapped the Oly for the PL before getting the Pen F). It's funny that I seems to go back to the O17mm even though I enjoyed the P14 and X70 so much. I think in the past I've been too concerned about things that shouldn't matter or other oddities.
  • You have to upgrade from the p14mm, it's only an f/2.5.
  • The O17 looks and feels so cool with it's MF clutch and proportions (wider at the mount / slimmer on the end).
  • You can use the aperture ring on PL15 with an Oly body*. (Edit this should say CAN"T USE)
  • The PL15 has the opposite proportional and feel to the O17 as the aperture ring makes the end bigger.
  • You can't reverse the hood on the PL15 so it seems so much bigger.
But I've never had the P14. PL15, O17, and P12-32 all at the same time, I've always tended to sell one to help pay for the other. Hopefully as things warm up a bit, if I can continue to talk walks like I have been I can bring along a bag instead of just camera in gloved hand that makes it more cumbersome to swap 3-4 lenses for comparison shots. I'm going to interested to see if (as I've come to appreciate the PL25) if I'll finally come to appreciate the PL15's qualities. Time will tell.

* Though this was one of the things that also bothered me with my Fuji setup. Some of the lenses I used had aperture ring, some didn't; one had a marked ring, one didn't; so do control it on the body, on the lens, can see the selected value on the ring, on the lcd........

The 12-45mm is an ergonomic revelation. The 12-40mm may be even better constructed and more sophisticated, but the 12-45mm feels very satisfying in the hand, on camera and in use; the only thing that got me at first is the (comparatively) very light focus action, but that's not a downside. I still have to thoroughly test the lens (what with the April 2020 Challenge going on), but what I've seen so far, optics are top notch as well.

It finally transforms the E-M5 III into a camera I'd pick over just about any other ILC for casual walk arounds (and travel). The whole package weights just 720g (including the hand strap) - that's more than 500g lighter than the Z6 with 24-70mm f/4. I'm itching to take the combo out, but the switch to the D750 and primes for the challenge is now final - because it works......

Thanks for feeding the lens lust. I've been wondering if the 12-45 would be a suitable companion for the Pen F. On the other hand, I am sorely missing a light medium telephoto lens. the Lumix 35-100 2.8 and the PL 50-200 are highly regarded, but rather expensive. All the other smaller telephotos in the m4/3 universe are consumer grade lenses with less sterling reputations, although I did occasionally get some nice images with the Olympus 75-300 II when I had one.

I'm not 100% sure the O12-40 is better constructed than the O12-45. The O12-45 carries an IPX1 rating, were other O PRO lenses not tested or is the 12-45 better? I don't own either the O12-40 (did) or O12-45 (not yet), but I did get to play with both side by side at an Olympus event. The size and weight difference was not noticeable..... ON THE E-M1x, :D however on the E-M5.3 and Pen F the it was a much better fit.

The PL50-200 f/2.8-4.0 is an interesting lens, one I had thought I would own. Why don't I?

Price, though I planned on getting a telephoto and put a good amount away from when I sold off my event gear, so I do have the funds. But it's just a little shorter than I REALLY want, I was very comfortable with 300mm on APS-C, so 225-250mm on m4/3. It's hard to find the 1.4TC and the thought of needing the TC 50% of the time or more isn't really appealing. Then there's the thorny issues of Panasonic's service of their pricey glass. If I'm going to spend that much, I want to know I can get it serviced and not just offered a refurb at a discount that would still be a good $$$. From all reports they are working to change this (or were before C-19 :sleep:). It also played into my decision about G9 or E-M1.2. Had I gone got Panasonic I'm sure I'd have the PL8-18 / 12-60 / 50-200 trio with the G9.

But I'm happy with what I have and the Pen F plays a part of that. And who know what and when some of the place holders on the Olympus map will be.
 

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I'm not 100% sure the O12-40 is better constructed than the O12-45. The O12-45 carries an IPX1 rating, were other O PRO lenses not tested or is the 12-45 better? I don't own either the O12-40 (did) or O12-45 (not yet), but I did get to play with both side by side at an Olympus event. The size and weight difference was not noticeable..... ON THE E-M1x, :D however on the E-M5.3 and Pen F the it was a much better fit.
You may well be right re: construction; it was more a comment how they felt next to each other. No complaints whatsoever about the build quality of the 12-45mm from me ...

M.
 
Not claiming to know, just not sure. Maybe they weren't tested, maybe the M/F clutch is a weak point and the rest of the construction is better on the 12-40? :hmmm:
Most probably shrug-worthy if you read about the 12-40mm online - it's one of the most successful sealed lenses out there. The 12-45mm impresses with its size and results; the latter certainly is another strong point for the 12-40mm as well. As for size: When doing reportage (i.e. being constantly on the move and shooting), I don't mind the 12-40mm's size and weight one bit. But carrying the camera for longer periods of time *without* shooting feels borderline uncomfortable with the 12-40mm and an (ungripped!) E-M5 III - paradoxically, with the gripped E-M10 (that grip was only marginally bigger!), it wasn't an issue. It's like everything in ergonomics: personal and somewhat random, sometimes downright weird (like the fact that I simply don't seem to mind carrying the famously "boxy" Leica M bodies - not even the M8 for which I don't own a ThumbsUp or grip).

However, the 12-45mm in action is a very satisfying lens on the E-M5 III, and carrying the camera with it attached isn't an issue at all. It feels just right ...

M.

EDIT: Sorry, had to correct a couple of crucial mistakes ...
 
It's the stupidest thing. Last week I've been researching on how to improve on the close-up image quality of the Zeiss Distagon 2.8/28 (Contax/Yashica mount) that is my preferred 28mm MF prime. I seriously went after a used Zeiss ZE 2/28 and already ordered a Sigma MC-11 adapter to fit it to my Sony A7R4. Cost of this would go well north of € 500 which I consider a truckload of money for any adapted lens; my psychological threshold is somewhere around € 250. I struck a deal on the MC-11 adapter, only to discover that it wouldn't allow focusing with magnified view at working aperture; someone on FredMiranda told me to get a Metabones adapter instead. Even more expensive :eek:. The guy who sold me the MC-11 kindly agreed to cancel the deal, and I decided to let go of this stupid idea of spending almost € 1000 on an lens/adapter combo that is heavier and bigger than I'm really comfortable with.

Also during the last few days I took the Sony FE 4/24-70 out of my storage bag and put it on the camera, basically to do everything from street photography to static shots. I wanted a break from the careful manual focusing to get the best out of my gear, just to return to more carefree photographing. And this lens focuses fairly close and lo and behold, performance at 28mm wasn't at all bad, at least a whole lot better than the frustrating performance of the Zeiss Distagon 2.8/28. My lesson: never take anything for granted. The 4/24-70 is universally maligned for subpar performance by a lot of online reviewers, but in real life it's perfectly useable for me, also on a 60 MP camera. You just have to know what flaws to avoid.

As for a 28mm prime, I'll just wait until Voigtländer or Zeiss will come up with a good native MF lens for Sony E-mount. There are only 2 options I know of: the Sony FE 2/28 and the Sigma Art 1.4/28. While the Sigma is great in the image quality department, it's equally big and heavy, way out of my comfort zone. And the Sony FE 2/28? I tried 2 samples in different stores and came to the conclusion that I don't like it: pictures look dull and greyish, the same reason that made me ditch the Sony FE 3.5-5.6/28-70 and replace it by the FE 4/24-70.

In general I tend to avoid adapters as much as possible. Using legacy glass without communication to the camera leaves you with an extra step in the workflow, adding EXIF data to have a lens profile applied automatically in Lightroom. And smart adapters that do transfer data between camera and lens, often have a will of their own regarding closing or not-closing the aperture while viewing as well as all kinds of mismatches in behaviour of stabilization in lens and/or camera. You only have to search for posts on this on the various forums to discover the veritable minefield this is.
 
This insight isn't really related to the challenge except incidentally, but I was just reading Bystander (the big street photography tome, co-written by Joel Meyerowitz) and something jumped out at me. Talking about artists and photographers who left America for Europe (especially the art scene in Paris) in the opening part of the twentieth century, the book observes that many of these came back to America once the Depression hit, and "the atmosphere of national crisis and change in the 1930s made possible a patriotism that none could have felt in the 1920s. Having left America because they felt there was no place for them in its culture, many young artists looked upon the collapse of that culture, or at any rate of the economic system that supported it, as an opportunity to insert themselves into society and at last exercise some influence." Photographer Ben Shahn said "I felt completely in harmony with the times.... I don't think I've ever felt that way before or since."

I found this really interesting. I have been noticing my own attitude, which is usually a little dried-up regarding other people, to be a little more compassionate right now since, at least presently, people have been actually struggling, whereas most people around me before this current pandemic situation could've been described as mainly struggling with their attitudes. I wonder if there's a window for artists, or at least humble photographers, to start connecting more with what has been a really difficult period of culture.

Part of how I feel, I think, is due to being in the retail banking industry, where we're actively fighting to get people's small business loans through to help them pay their employees. I've off-and-on felt like my work has meaning, but right now it definitely feels like it does. So maybe it's a bit of personal perspective that is hitting me as much as anyone else. And this challenge has been helpful; I think for several of us. It adds a bit of structure and has pushed me to be creative where a lot of people are just vegetating, and the temptation to vegetate has been strong for me as well. Does photography have a way to speak to what's going on right now, or the inevitable aftermath? Who knows, but I want to keep thinking about it.
 
This insight isn't really related to the challenge except incidentally, but I was just reading Bystander (the big street photography tome, co-written by Joel Meyerowitz) and something jumped out at me. Talking about artists and photographers who left America for Europe (especially the art scene in Paris) in the opening part of the twentieth century, the book observes that many of these came back to America once the Depression hit, and "the atmosphere of national crisis and change in the 1930s made possible a patriotism that none could have felt in the 1920s. Having left America because they felt there was no place for them in its culture, many young artists looked upon the collapse of that culture, or at any rate of the economic system that supported it, as an opportunity to insert themselves into society and at last exercise some influence." Photographer Ben Shahn said "I felt completely in harmony with the times.... I don't think I've ever felt that way before or since."

I found this really interesting. I have been noticing my own attitude, which is usually a little dried-up regarding other people, to be a little more compassionate right now since, at least presently, people have been actually struggling, whereas most people around me before this current pandemic situation could've been described as mainly struggling with their attitudes. I wonder if there's a window for artists, or at least humble photographers, to start connecting more with what has been a really difficult period of culture.

Part of how I feel, I think, is due to being in the retail banking industry, where we're actively fighting to get people's small business loans through to help them pay their employees. I've off-and-on felt like my work has meaning, but right now it definitely feels like it does. So maybe it's a bit of personal perspective that is hitting me as much as anyone else. And this challenge has been helpful; I think for several of us. It adds a bit of structure and has pushed me to be creative where a lot of people are just vegetating, and the temptation to vegetate has been strong for me as well. Does photography have a way to speak to what's going on right now, or the inevitable aftermath? Who knows, but I want to keep thinking about it.
I think maybe you've struck a tender point in our present culture, at least in the USA. We've been much like little kids with too many toys, maybe not expensive or of great value, but, just too much. No real appreciation for our blessings.
To your point of photography's place.... During the great depression of our country, photography came into it's own, and played a great part in that time of great suffering and rebuilding our country. Could possibly be again.
 
Sticking with the 50mm has been a challenge for me as I have always shot wider or longer, but I'm getting comfortable with it after 20 odd days or so. I do not even take a camera bag with me, just the Z and the 50 so I know when I get there it's me and it. I must say it has worked to a degree.
 
3 more days to go, I wish we had more days.
Regarding this statement: I don't have anything against running daily threads outside of any challenges - nor formal participation, no obligation.

That said, I don't find it hard to keep shooting and posting (without any preconceptions and restrictions) because of the encouraging feedback you usually get when posting on this board ...

What do you think? Would a "Daily Shots" sub-forum be something you'd like to see and would use regularily? Or should we keep things organised the way they are and call for more concentrated, formal challenges occasionally?

M.
 
Regarding this statement: I don't have anything against running daily threads outside of any challenges - nor formal participation, no obligation.

That said, I don't find it hard to keep shooting and posting (without any preconceptions and restrictions) because of the encouraging feedback you usually get when posting on this board ...

What do you think? Would a "Daily Shots" sub-forum be something you'd like to see and would use regularily? Or should we keep things organised the way they are and call for more concentrated, formal challenges occasionally?

M.
There are always other photography challenges in the forum I know, but I really like the form of our monthly challenges as they encouraged me to produce many images I'd otherwise never do. Perhaps most people don't need that much motivation to keep shooting as I'm just lazy, but wouldn't it be nice during the special time if we keep the daily challenges going?
 
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