Anyone experience with Epson Image tanks?

[Geo]

Since some time I am planning to buy an Image Tank.
The Epson P-4000 or 5000 is the one I had in mind since it handles RAW files
from the R-D1 and Olympus E1.
Has anyone of you experience with these or other brands?
Geo

 

[iUser]

i've got a p2000 and used the 5000. what do you need to know?

 

[Geo]

I only would like to know is how it performs with RAW.
I am not sure when photos's are iimported if the Epson imports both files,
the JPG and the RAW.
And maybe a sttupid question; can the battery of the P-4000 be charged in the charger of the Rd-1?
I would hate to travel with two chargers.
Thanks!
Geo

 

[anglophone1]

I have a P2000, and use it to daily read cards from my two RD after a shoot, I shoot RAW [no JPEG] and images can be viewed immediately.
P2000 is then backed up to laptop before cards are formatted in camera.
Works really well, and of course I can review dailies on screen at will.
Also if necessary I can do this during the day and free up card space [I have 10 1 gb cards so unlikely ] if necessary...........
I also have a slideshow of my portfolio and my latest picture story to be able to show as well as few music files to listen to whilst doing the daily edit [come back film!] or travelling.
A really useful piece of kit.
Now the bad news, the supplied case is crap, and the batteries pretty puny, but you can buy a great leather case [folds out like a book] AND OEM spare batteries easily via ebay [I got the case and two batteries for about USD40]
No the charger IS different, but the power leads are the same.

 

[jlw]

To get back to your question about raw file support:

I have the P2000, and one of its disappointments is that while it stores raw-format files just fine, it doesn't actually do anything with them. All it displays is the embedded JPEG preview image stored in the raw file. For example, you can't zoom in to check whether a captured photo is sharp. This limits the P2000's usefulness as a field review tool.

BUT... The specs for the P3000 and P5000 say they do support raw files from a variety of cameras, including the R-D 1 and 1s. The instruction manual says you can zoom raw files up to 100% and JPEG files up to 400%.

Incidentally, you can download the entire instruction manual from Epson's website. This can be a good way to check out the product and see if it has the capability you want.

 

[iUser]

To get back to your question about raw file support:

I have the P2000, and one of its disappointments is that while it stores raw-format files just fine, it doesn't actually do anything with them. All it displays is the embedded JPEG preview image stored in the raw file. For example, you can't zoom in to check whether a captured photo is sharp. This limits the P2000's usefulness as a field review tool.

BUT... The specs for the P3000 and P5000 say they do support raw files from a variety of cameras, including the R-D 1 and 1s. The instruction manual says you can zoom raw files up to 100% and JPEG files up to 400%.

Incidentally, you can download the entire instruction manual from Epson's website. This can be a good way to check out the product and see if it has the capability you want.

the best bit about the 3000/5000 is the screen has a MUCH larger gamut than the older viewers.

 

[gonzo]

BUT... The specs for the P3000 and P5000 say they do support raw files from a variety of cameras, including the R-D 1 and 1s. The instruction manual says you can zoom raw files up to 100% and JPEG files up to 400%.

Just picked up the epson p-3000, and wanted to add that regardless of what the instruction manual states... you cannot zoom in on raw files (even epson's own raw format).

 

[JonasYip]

Just picked up the epson p-3000, and wanted to add that regardless of what the instruction manual states... you cannot zoom in on raw files (even epson's own raw format).

Not exactly... some RAW formats are supported, like nefs from my D2x. But Epson's own RD1 seems *not* to be....

j

 

[GrahamWelland]

Not exactly... some RAW formats are supported, like nefs from my D2x. But Epson's own RD1 seems *not* to be....

j

Not so, to be exact:

The Epson P-series viewer definitely DOES support ERF files. What it does not support is zoom and histogram display with ANY raw file formats.

I also shoot D2x, R-D1, LX1 and M8 files and only the D2X and R-D1 raw files can be viewed on-screen, although jpg's from any of the cameras can be viewed, zoomed, EXIF data viewed plus histogram display. M8 DNG and LX1 raw files are shown as files in the directory structure but they don't render.

 

[JonasYip]

What it does not support is zoom and histogram display with ANY raw file formats.

Well, no... with my P-3000 I can definitely zoom into D2x nef files, and see histograms and EXIF data. With erf files, I can see the image and see histogram and EXIF data, but just can't zoom. I don't know about other formats like the M8.

I imagine that the ability to zoom into various raw formats perhaps depends on the size (and existence) of the embedded preview jpg. I believe the D2x nef has a full-size basic quality jpg embedded in it, hence something to zoom into without needing to interpret the raw data.

j

 

[Geo]

In the meantime I bought the P-5000 and I am very pleased with the way it works.
It does support the Epson RD-1 and Olympus E-1 RAW files and has a zoom function.
The screen is excellent.
Just a pity that the camera and the viewer need different battery chargers.
Geo

 

[GrahamWelland]

Well, no... with my P-3000 I can definitely zoom into D2x nef files, and see histograms and EXIF data. With erf files, I can see the image and see histogram and EXIF data, but just can't zoom. I don't know about other formats like the M8.

I imagine that the ability to zoom into various raw formats perhaps depends on the size (and existence) of the embedded preview jpg. I believe the D2x nef has a full-size basic quality jpg embedded in it, hence something to zoom into without needing to interpret the raw data.

j

Interesting. I have the P-4000 which obviously is the earlier revision. It sounds like zoom on raw with P3000/5000 is now an option which could tempt me to upgrade at some point.
🙂

 

[gonzo]

In the meantime I bought the P-5000 and I am very pleased with the way it works.
It does support the Epson RD-1 and Olympus E-1 RAW files and has a zoom function.
The screen is excellent.
Just a pity that the camera and the viewer need different battery chargers.
Geo

Do you mean to say that with the p-5000 you can zoom in on Epson's RAW ERF files?? I'm confused because I thought the p3000 & p5000 ran the same software. And that the only difference between them is storage space.

Thanks,

 

[Geo]

@ Gonzo
Pardon me, I was confused, my P-5000 does zoom in on Olympus RAW-
but not on Epson RAW files.
Very strange actually.
Geo