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stoo31

stoo31

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Stuart
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Hello,

I had a Epson flatbed that was capable of scanning 5x4 film can't remember the exact model number but either way its bitten the dust.

Having been a bit out of the loop with scanners lately I'm just wondering what recommendations there are for secondhand film scanners now, I know Epson V series used to be some of the better models but is that still the case?

Thanks
 
It's what most of us seem to use. I'm not sure which one does 5x4. It might be the V750, but someone will be along to confirm.
 
I think you can scan 5*4 on a V500/600, but you have to do two scans of separate halves and stitch them together. V700 upwards for one pass. I think @Andysnap bought an older model that seems to work well. As Simon says, someone who really knows will be along in a minute!
 
That's what I expected, will be good to hear people's experiences of the newer ones though

I had an Epson 3200 which managed 5x4 but think I'd be better to get a newer one as I'm trying to get back in to film more seriously
 
ChrisR said:
I think you can scan 5*4 on a V500/600, but you have to do two scans of separate halves and stitch them together. V700 upwards for one pass. I think @Andysnap bought an older model that seems to work well. As Simon says, someone who really knows will be along in a minute!
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Yep, the V500 was a bit of a pain in that you had to do 2 scans and stitch together. I bought a Epson 4990 which holds two 5x4 negs in the same carrier and works perfectly ok for my needs. There was another one... the 4890 I believe which did the same.
 
Andysnap said:
Yep, the V500 was a bit of a pain in that you had to do 2 scans and stitch together. I bought a Epson 4990 which holds two 5x4 negs in the same carrier and works perfectly ok for my needs. There was another one... the 4890 I believe which did the same.
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Ah ok that's good to know might try and find one of those secondhand!
 
stoo31 said:
That's what I expected, will be good to hear people's experiences of the newer ones though
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that many—if not all—of the newer scanners have the exact same technical specs as their corresponding predecessors (e.g., the 4490 vs its replacement, the V500), so you may not see any improvement in your scans by buying the newer model. The difference between generations is usually just an updated light source so the newer scanners are just ready to scan a few seconds earlier than the older models.
 
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skysh4rk said:
Keep in mind that many—if not all—of the newer scanners have the exact same technical specs as their corresponding predecessors (e.g., the 4490 vs its replacement, the V500), so you may not see any improvement in your scans by buying the newer model. The difference between generations is usually just an updated light source so the newer scanners are just ready to scan a few seconds earlier than the older models.
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Good to know thanks, maybe I'll just find a secondhand 4490 then. Presumably the other consideration is that as they get older the light source can deteriorate or is that not likely unless its very well used?
 
stoo31 said:
Good to know thanks, maybe I'll just find a secondhand 4490 then. Presumably the other consideration is that as they get older the light source can deteriorate or is that not likely unless its very well used?
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I have no objective, empirical data regarding deterioration, but I use a 4490 and I've never had any problems.

The biggest issue with a 4490 is that it would require two passes and stitching in Photoshop for large format photographs, if that's important. Its cousin, the 4990, can handle a 5x4 sheet in a single scan, I believe.
 
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