The danger is that this is just turning the image into someone else's vision of it. The original is i-Berg's interpretation and perfectly valid as it is. For me, I see the scene slightly differently. The crop doesn't need to be changed, but I see a darker image as an old 3.5" x 5" slightly sepia print, with an old-style white border:
[IMG]http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/johnriley1uk/Pic-by-i-Berg.jpg[/IMG]
Sharpness has also been reduced, grain added as well.

That probably applies to most users. They are only interested in what it does easily and efficiently without messing about.

The SMC Pentax-DA 50-200mm WR lens may be inexpensive, but I don't think it's too shabby at all:
[IMG]http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/johnriley1uk/049-Purity-in-Yellow-800px.jpg[/IMG]

The only other consideration in favour of the 50-200mm is that being a shorter lens it may be easier to hand hold with our shake. I know we have the SR mechanism, but still we need to keep the camera as still as we can for the best results. It just extends the shutter speed range over which we can do this.

Maybe, but to be honest that could get very out of hand. It's far better if the judge just puts up the competition and then makes no further comment until it's judging time. Anything else could lead to chaos.

It's too late now, but perhaps future judges could bear that in mind. Otherwise we have a constantly changing competition, which is very unfair.

Once an image is posted the entrant should leave it at that and not replace or modify it.

When the bells toll midnight.....as always.

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The lack of entries might be that some don't know how to make a duotone, others may not use Photoshop or something similar that has the option.

It looks as though a photoshop-based competition won't attract as many entries as one with a purely photographic theme.

Excellent, let's hope it's the first of many.