mark.brennan

October 3, 2011

Hey Everyone -

Many thanks to all for the responses. Fortunately, I have not seen this problem again (although I have temporarily "retired" the card which exhibited the problem). I am now re-formatting cards after each use. I totally get the many parameters and permutations of the problem and my chief concern at the time was whether the camera was the culprit. Unless I see the issue again I'll assume it was the card.

Thanks again.

Regards,

-Mark

September 27, 2011

Dan and Jeff -

Thank you both for your replies. Indeed I did test the card but have not been able to reproduce the problem (although I have not tested it in another body, which is a good idea). I have a number of other Sandisk 8GB cards so I think I'll put this one on the "back shelf". Although I always deleted files I've uploaded, I realize I have not reformatted the card, so I'll do that in the future.

Thanks again.

Regards,

-Mark

September 27, 2011

Dan and Jeff -

Thank you both for your replies. Indeed I did test the card but have not been able to reproduce the problem (although I have not tested it in another body, which is a good idea). I have a number of other Sandisk 8GB cards so I think I'll put this one on the "back shelf". Although I always deleted files I've uploaded, I realize I have not reformatted the card, so I'll do that in the future.

Thanks again.

Regards,

-Mark

September 27, 2011

Hi All -

I took some pics today and after uploading I noticed 2 of the captures had corrupted files - this is the first time I've ever experienced this. I have a 5D MkI, which I bought used over a year ago and have gotten very good use from, with no issues.

I shoot raw and neither the camera preview nor the preview in Lightroom shows the problems with these two frames until I've imported (converting to DNG, as is my custom).

I'm wondering if anyone has any insight into whether this could be an issue with the sensor, or with the card (the card is a SanDisk Ultra 8GB 30MB/s)? What's scary is the problem didn't manifest until after import; some days I'll shoot 100+ frames, and I'd hate to find that some choice shots were corrupted. Today's problem only occurred with 2 of about 26 frames.

Any feedback appreciated - thanks!

Regards,

-Mark

Bad Raw File #1 - a portion of the frame corrupted with color banding:

Bad Raw File #2 - a portion of the frame completely whited out:

September 16, 2011

Hi Kim and Howard -

Thank you kindly for your replies. I appreciate all feedback.

Indeed, A4 size is not readily accessible in the US and I don't believe Epson offers any such size. Kim - my goal is NOT to crop: I wish to preserve the 3:2 aspect ratio of my original capture (I use a Canon 5D which is a full frame sensor measuring roughly 36x24 mm); thus my goal to do 8x12 prints. I am also doing 10.5x7 inch prints on 8.5x11" paper (the standard "letter" size paper in the US).

UPDATE: I purchased the Rotatrim M-24 paper cutter. I have also fallen in love with Epson's Exhibition Fiber Paper (EFP); it is more or less a heavier version of their Premier Luster - it's a beautiful paper. I bought a box of 13x19 inch EFP paper. I use Lightroom to position two 8x12 images on a single 13x19 sheet. Once printed I cut the page in half, then use the Rotatrim to make very precise trims to get borderless prints. I am very pleased with the results and feel I now have a lot of versatility in the size and style of my prints: I can do bordered or borderless prints in a variety of sizes (4x6, 6x9, 7x10.5, 8x12, 10x15) using 13x19 or 8.5x11 inch EFP sheets with my Epson 2400.

Now I just have to find more display space!

Thanks to everyone who provided feedback; as usual with this forum (and Photo.net more generally) I got immediate, useful and concrete feedback (e.g., I had not heard of Rotatrim). I am inspired to renew my Photo.net membership.

Thanks again, and happy printing.

Regards,

-Mark

September 12, 2011

Hi Howard and Edward -

Thank you both for your replies, which are helpful. I've just ordered a sample pack from Red River and, if I like their papers, I may consider ordering some in a custom 8x12 size.

I did not know about Rotatrim paper cutters and will look to get one. I have some Museo Silver Rag 13x19 paper sitting around, which I think I can use to get two 8x12 images printed per sheet. Given these dimensions, should I consider getting the 24" Rotatrim model? I can also pop into Adorama (I'm in NYC) and ask.

Thanks again.

Regards,

-Mark

September 11, 2011

Hi All -

I like the impact of borderless prints but of course 8.5x11 doesn't preserve the aspect ratio of my full frame 5D images. I am therefore considering printing 8x12 images on larger paper and cutting/trimming the edges to get a custom borderless print.

What are your suggestions? What do people use for edge trimming, and how accurate is it? I use an Epson 2400 so I believe I can use rolls, but I've preferred single sheets. What size paper do you suggest/prefer?

Thanks for any feedback/advice.

Regards,

-Mark

September 11, 2011

Hi Monika and Patrick -

Thanks for your replies. I think for now I shall stick w/ my 2400.

Regards,

-Mark

September 6, 2011

Hi All -

I've been using the Epson 2400 for a few years now and have always liked the quality of the prints. I originally printed B&W but now print color. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Epson has replaced the 2400 with the 2880 (it also uses K3 inks).

I find that I rarely print larger than 8.5 x 11 and unfortunately my workspace/desk is sufficiently small enough that my 2400 simply takes up too much space. I print irregularly for personal enjoyment only, but would love to streamline the space - the 2400, although not huge, still takes up a chunk of space.

Does anyone have ideas for a smaller printer, but with print/ink quality commensurate with the 2400? I don't think Epson has anything smaller. I have an old Epson R800 which is a good size, and always made good prints, but it's not the equal of the 2400.

Thanks for any ideas.

Regards,

-Mark

January 5, 2011

Hi All -

Sorry not to reply sooner. Thanks to all for their feedback.

- Jan & Puppy Face: I like the casual nature of a messenger bag and towel, but I think I'd probably use a Domke wrap instead of a towel, if I go with this choice;

- Aaron: thanks for your various options. Rather than going with the J-series insert and removing or folding down the panels, wouldn't the Domke FA-211 large insert work better (http://www.tiffen.com/displayproduct.html?tablename=domke&itemnum=720-211)?

- Eric: the F-6 bag is a sweet bag, and very classic, but I'm probably going to stay away from a "pure" camera bag. Although I must say, if I did go with a camera bag I would be tempted by the Crumpler bags.

Thanks again.

Regards,

-Mark

January 3, 2011

Hi All -

Happy New Year. I don't use camera bags much - mostly I just carry the camera around my shoulder or neck when I go out. However, in an effort to keep the camera with me more often, I need to explore bag options and one idea I had was to use a Domke insert and a standard messenger bag.

To that end, does anyone know what size/type of Domke insert would hold my 5D with 35 mm 1.4 L lens mounted? I keep things pretty simply and don't carry/use other lenses/bodies.

Any advice or info is greatly appreciated!

Regards,

-Mark

November 23, 2010

Hey All -

Thanks again, Brad, for the great feedback on these lenses. My own experience has roughly corroborated everything you've noted.

I rented the Zeiss from Adorama here in NYC - great service to avail oneself of, quite reasonable way to test out good gear.

Loved the feel of the Zeiss, beautifully damped, etc. Optics are lovely - I love the color rendering, etc.

Focusing was a real problem, however. Shooting wide open indoors I consistently was off. However, I didn't swap the screen; none of the NY shops (B&H, Adorama, Calumet, etc.) had the Ee-S in stock. So I don't know how much the super precision matte screen will help. But I was pretty discouraged.

Shooting outside stopped down was easy, however, and I loved zone focusing with this lens. Again, I was very happy with the sharpness and overall rendering of the lens.

I returned the Zeiss and picked up a Canon 35 1.4L rental last night. I was immediately struck by the accuracy of the auto focus! Shooting wide open indoors I nailed focus consistently. Also nice to have that extra stop; since I shoot indoors a lot having 1.4 is quite nice.

So far I'm impressed with the optics, as well, but have only evaluated the more open apertures. The Zeiss may be richer in its rendering, but hard to say. May also be the color saturation that Brad discusses - hard for me to say conclusively and I'm not being scientific. But no question the 1.4L is super sharp and it certainly won't be the limiting factor in my photography - *I* will be.....

The 1.4L feels good, easy to handle, but it's big - wider than the Zeiss and with the Canon hood it's pretty massive. You don't get that beautiful Zeiss focusing ring or distance scale - but then again, you don't really need it. But 1.4L sits well on the 5D and feels quite good in the hand.

For me, the AF will probably win out and I'll probably buy a 1.4L when my rental ends.

Thanks again, Brad. Let's now see if I can get out and shoot some street; I've turned away from street shooting for a while now and concentrated mostly on shooting my family and friends, but this might now inspire me.

Regards to all - have a good holiday.

-Mark

November 16, 2010

Hey Brad -

Thanks for the detailed reply and great feedback on both lenses - very helpful indeed. I think given the price and probably what is my nostalgia for manual focus I'll go with the Zeiss. (You didn't try swapping out the focus screen and use the matte focus screen, did you)?

Your latest work with the Canon is a pretty compelling argument for that lens, however.

What's nice is my local camera shop, Adorama, will rent me a Zeiss for the weekend for $27, so I can try before I buy. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again.

Regards,

-Mark

November 15, 2010

Hi All - apologies if I'm late to this thread.....

Brad - it's been a while, but I've always liked your work and your latest stuff (presumably taken with the Zeiss?) looks great. There's no question in my mind that the Zeiss is optically wonderful, but I'm wondering how you like how it handles? I have no issue with manual focus lenses, but when I when I picked up a friend's 5D with the Zeiss I was immediately struck by how big and heavy it was....

Regards,

-Mark

September 11, 2008

Jed -

I have the Bessa R3M - very happy with it. Also have the VC Heliar 50 (f2) - M mount. Also very happy. Both very reasonable and probably

some great deals used or mint from Cameraquest or Photovillage. Suggest you take a look at Cameraquest's website for a wealth of info on

the specs on these and other VC bodies and lenses.

Feel free to email me offline for additional info, opinion, etc. I own a Leica MP and can provide you with some interesting pro/con

comparisons, though obviously very personal and subjective.

You can also search the archives here for opinions on these cameras, as well as Rangefinder Forum.

Regardless, you have a lot of choices and I suggest you don't torture yourself; decide on a cam you can live with and can afford w/out

breaking the bank and then buy a brick of TX and get out and shoot!

Good luck.

-Mark

September 7, 2008

Nice one, Brad!

September 7, 2008

June 22, 2008

Great work, Brad! Had not seen many in that set before. First rate. Thanks.

Regards,

-Mark

May 31, 2008

Thanks for the heads up, Craig! I ordered my copy earlier today. I really like the series

and am looking forward to gettting the book.

Best,

-Mark

May 23, 2008

Hi Michael -

I have an R3M and, while not as well made as Leica Ms, it's quite nice, has heft, and

feels good in the hand. I also really appreciate the 1:1 finder, as I shoot w/ a 50.

regards,

-Mark

May 21, 2008

Posted this in the other thread as well; here he is about a year ago, same neighborhood:

May 20, 2008

May 16, 2008

Cheers for that, Jamie! I had heard about the interview, but not being a VF subscriber missed it. Thanks! Big, big fan of Robert Frank...

Regards,

-Mark

May 15, 2008

Wow, Craig. I just went through the entire set on Flikr and was enthralled. Maybe

because i've been looking at so much documentary style photography (books and web),

but looking at so many portraits was a bracing change. Really great stuff. You should

be quite proud of this portfolio.

As others have said the colors and light are beautiful and amazing. More than that, I

was just simply impressed by the quality of the portraiture and the compelling images

of these people's faces. I was also impressed how at ease so many of the subjects

seemed w/ you (not surprising, I guess) and some of the subtle tension (perhaps more

noticeable in the women, but also in the men as well, to some degree) between that

ease and trust and the consciousness of being photograhed and watched intensely;

that tension, though slight, often seems to disappear behind the beauty and drama of

the light, shadow, color, but I think it's there in many of the images. Some of the direct

gazes just blew me away. Again, the trust seems to shine through, but made more

complex by the subtle shifts in underlying emotion. Very rich.

I know it sounds corny, but I found the whole thing intensely human and was surprised

by how moved I felt.

Thanks for sharing. All the best.

-Mark

April 17, 2008

One of the problems with KEH is that they will not actually look at the product before shipping it to you; you can't inquire as to the SS# or the condition of the finder, etc. They just have too much inventory.

It seems the bay is more customer oriented in this way, as you can ask questions of the seller. But I am not comfortable purchasing photo gear there.

I need to find a good dealer who has decent inventory who is willing to work w/ me one on one. Tamarkin and Photovillage in NYC (my closest local dealers) don't generally have great M3 inventory, though.

If anyone has any dealers they like using do please let me know - thanks!

Regards,

-Mark

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