BetterScan holders worth it for 120 BW scanning? (Epson 4490)

[jonasv]

Dear all,

I'm looking to scan my 120 film (all B&W) in a decent fashion. Meaning: for web use, small to occassionally medium sized prints... (If I ever get THE shot, I can still have it professionally scanned afterwards.)
I shoot about 50-100 frames per month in 120.

My question is this: I was looking at a V500 - V700, but for my limited use, I thought I might be better off to continue using my current 4490. It certainly isn't excellent or very practical, but not unusable either.

I was wondering if it was worth getting the BetterScan variable height holders.
http://www.betterscanning.com/scanning/vb_mfholder.html

Opinions? Lets do this poll-like 🙂
Thanks!

Option 1) Getting the BetterScan holders ($ 79 + shipping)
Option 2) Just use the 4490 with current EPSON holders ($ 0)
Option 3) Don't bother with the 4490, you really need to upgrade ($$$)

 

[paulfish4570]

YES get the glass ...

 

[thegman]

I found the BetterScanning holders, with the Anti Newton Ring glass a great improvement over stock V700 holders, so much easier to load, and effortlessly keeps the neg flat. I don't know much about the 4490, but I'd imagine for small and medium prints of 120 negatives, it's more than sufficient.

 

[Jamie123]

Getting the variable height holder just helps if the plane of focus in your scanner does not line up with where the standard film holder holds the negs. You should test your scanner first to determine whether the variable height holder will help in this regard. Do this by scanning a neg directly on the glass, then in the holder and then with shims of paper under the holder. You'll find out if it gets better or worse when you move away from the standard height.
The glass is nice to keep the film flat but you'll also have to deal with newton rings occasionally.

If you want to upgrade you could look into getting a used or refurbished 4990. Even if it doesn't improve the quality of your scans you'll at least be able to scan two strips at once.

 

[Bobfrance]

I have one. It can help, but that's only assuming your scanner isn't at its optimal focus already.

A glass insert is very handy for holding the film flat. The little pegs that come with the basic kit are fiddly to use and grow looser with age. However don't bother paying megabucks for an ANR glass insert, go to a picture framers and ask him to cut you a piece on non reflective glass to the correct size. I got mine for free and I've never had an issue with it.

One thing I dislike about the holder it is that if you're scanning 6x7 a strip of three frames is longer than the recess and causes the film hangs over the edge. This prevents the glass to sitting flush (and can damage the film).

 

[jonasv]

Thanks for the input so far!

To clarify, I won't be developing this film myself. Coming from a good lab, it's always pretty flat.

Is there any quality/handling improvement even then?

The reason I'm looking at the variable height is because the fixed height is no longer in production.

 

[Rogier]

The better scanning holder makes a mayor difference on my Canoscan 8800F.

 

[citizen99]

@jonasv
I use this :-
http://www.scanassist.org/files/scanassist_en.pdf
As you're also in Europe, the shipping would cost less.