Help required - Scanner comparisons

Geordi69 · 8 Apr 2009

I know there are loads of great answers and ideas on threads allready on this forum, but it's because I have read them that I need a bit of help.

Two of the main ones being recomended are the Epson V500 and 4490.
The 4490 being the older of the two and now around £125 to pick up new. The V500 is the newer kid on the block and can be had for around £190.

I will be using it to scan prints, slides, 35mm and 120 film. I already have a V200 and a dedicated neg/slide scanner (35mm), but they wont do the 120 stuff. It will be connected to a Mac eventually.

I would like to know if anybody has experiance of both scanners, do you have any pro's and con's for either?
And does anybody else have anything to say regarding either.

I want one that will do stuff as I want, (both do) but would spending the extra £60 or so on the V500 be worth it over the 4490. I am trying to find a balance between compatibility, usability and overall usable life of the units.

Thanks in advance

G

Kev M · 8 Apr 2009

Haven't got time to look properly but there doesn't seem to be much in it. I'd say go for the 4490 and save the extra cash for something else. What size MF are you shooting? Both of those only do 2 6x6 at a time which is a ball ache TBH. You could spend the saved money of a betterscanning.com negative holder which will let you do 3 frames at a time.

Geordi69 · 8 Apr 2009

Kev M said:
Haven't got time to look properly but there doesn't seem to be much in it. I'd say go for the 4490 and save the extra cash for something else. What size MF are you shooting? Both of those only do 2 6x6 at a time which is a ball ache TBH. You could spend the saved money of a betterscanning.com negative holder which will let you do 3 frames at a time.

It would be 6x4.5.
2 frames, now that would be a ball ache if all mine are in 3's and 4's. Depended on which lab developed them.

Do you have to get the betterscanning holders direct from the states or is there a european distributor?

Kev M · 8 Apr 2009

Better scanning holder are direct from the states unfortunately which is why I'm in no rush with the current exchange rate.

I think the standard aperture is 6x12 (two lots of 6x6) so you you could scan 2.5 frames. Helpful eh! Just be glad it's not 6x7, one shot at a time.

Liam · 8 Apr 2009

I have a v500 for the exact reasons you want one and its great, really easy to use on a mac.

Sam-D · 8 Apr 2009

I have been using a 4490 for some time now. I wouldn’t use it for 35mm, but 120 scans are good enough for stock picture library use, although on very high magnification they are a bit milky and you will probably benefit from a bit of selective sharpening. Scan times are good, but a 60mb size scan with ICE can take 20-30 minutes. I don’t have any personal experience of the V500, but if I remember correctly it’s not reported to be any better on the definition issue.

Sam-D

Geordi69 · 8 Apr 2009

Sam-D said:
I have been using a 4490 for some time now. I wouldnt use it for 35mm, but 120 scans are good enough for stock picture library use, although on very high magnification they are a bit milky and you will probably benefit from a bit of selective sharpening. Scan times are good, but a 60mb size scan with ICE can take 20-30 minutes. I dont have any personal experience of the V500, but if I remember correctly its not reported to be any better on the definition issue.

Sam-D

For what reason would you not use it for 35mm scans?

joxby · 8 Apr 2009

If you don't have the money for a dedicated scanner, flatbeds are the way to go.
I was never happy with scans from my 4490, if it had to be a flatbed I'd be taking a look at the more expensive V serise.
I've seen some good scans out of the Canon 9500F and the Epson 4990.
I saw some good scans out of the 4490, but it was hard work.

Sam-D · 9 Apr 2009

Geordi69 said:
For what reason would you not use it for 35mm scans?

As I mentioned, on very high magnification images can be a bit milky. With the smaller sized 35mm as the original the effect is therefore more pronounced. For 35mm I use a Minolta 5400 dedicate film scanner which produces excellent results.

Sam-D

ianhl · 9 Apr 2009

i am no expert on scanners, however i have been using a 4490 for a while now and i am not unhappy with the results when scanning 35mm...

these are a few examples of scans from colour and b&w transparencies, some from the 1980's...