Epson 4490 or 4180?

[KoNickon]

Yes, another request for recommendations on a scanner. Based on the prices and features, I'm thinking it's between these two. The 4180 can be had from Epson (reconditioned) for $150, while the 4490, with rebate, can be bought for $200 or a little less. I think the specifications of the two are very similar, though the 4490 comes with ICE. Both come with Elements, and both indicated a Dmax of 3.4. I understand a film scanner is the best option for 35mm, but I do want to scan medium format as well, so if either of these does a very good job with 35mm negatives (what I mainly shoot), I think I can forgo a dedicated 35mm scanner.

Is the ICE really necessary? (Does it work well and without too much hassle?) Is there anything else I might be overlooking to recommend one over the other?

I'm a total neophyte when it comes to Photoshop and scanning, so I am hopeful these will be pretty idiotproof but capable of accommodating more advanced work as I get used to the process.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I'm going to reiterate what Tom (T_om) said in an earlier thread: ICE is important if you're doing C41 and color positive scanning, but not so much if you focus on black and white. If you focus on black and white, I'd go for the cheaper scanner.

Then again, I just bought a Scan Dual III.

 

[JoeFriday]

all else being equal between the two scanners, and especially if one is refurbished, I personally wouldn't even consider the 4180.. having had a couple decades of experience in electronics and computers, I've learned that there are some things that I will never buy refurbished, unless it comes with with at least a full 3-year warranty... and scanners are definitely in that category for me

but the two scanners aren't even equal because the 4490 includes ICE.. and yes, ICE is nice! it can save you anywhere from 30-60 minutes of cleanup time for any given scan.. in fact, I have some negs that the photo lab scratched that I know I wouldn't have bothered to clean up if I had to do it myself.. I'd just delete the files.. but ICE removed all traces of the scratches without me having to do anything.. it only takes one instance of that for you to be converted to a fan

 

[John]

I am also looking into scanners. I shoot almost 100% colour negative. I have never used ice before or even scanned very much.
From what I have read about - ice is a very desirable feature and very useful. It is removing the effects of dust, dirt, hair, scratches, some you may not see that are attracted electro statically to your film. Does not work with black and white.
Therefore I am "holding out" for a scanner which bundles ice.

 

[kaiyen]

If you shoot color, slides, or c41 b&w, get something with ICE if you can afford it.

With the Epsons in particular, I think you'll see some increase in your scan times. But you can also set and forget. Come back when it's done, and you'll save the time many times over fro not having to do nearly as much cleanup.

allan

 

[Damian]

I've had the 4180 for over a year now. I usually take all my film to the same lab, and they do good work, and haven't damaged a roll yet. I also throw my negatives into sleeves as soon as I can. When I scan them, I'm pretty meticulous about wiping them with a microfiber cloth, and blowing off the scanner and the negatives right before I scan. It does a fantastic job in my opinion. I still need to clean them up a little, but it only takes a minute for me to remove any rogue dust with a clone tool, and I'm working on the image in PS anyway.

Would I get the one with ICE for 200? Yes. When I bought the 4180, the ICE scanners were much more, so I didn't spend the money. I think the 4180 does a good job, and you'll be happy with it, but the ICE can certainly save some time. You don't need to be as anal in the pre-scan process since ICE will eliminate most of the dust on the flatbed itself (which seems to reappear every 3 minutes). So bottom line - if you can afford it, go with the ICE scanner. If not, you'll still be happy.

 

[RayPA]

I'm still see the 4180 in compUSA for $168. I got mine about a year ago for $150 (with a rebate). It does a good job scanning b&w negatives, both 35mm & 120. I used it pretty much exclusively for b&w.



.

 

[KoNickon]

Thanks, all, for your comments. I think I'll take advantage of the $50 rebate on the 4490 and go for it.

 

[Kat]

Just a quick side question: for scanners without ICE, is it possible to get nice enough clean scans straight from the scanner (without editing)?

 

[Stephanie Brim]

There are grain reduction programs other than ICE...I just can't think of any at the moment. 😛

 

[Kat]

Haha, I guess I better stop trying to scrimp and go for this, then. I'm too lazy to edit.

 

[JoeFriday]

Just a quick side question: for scanners without ICE, is it possible to get nice enough clean scans straight from the scanner (without editing)?

theoretically, sure.. it all depends on how clean the negatives are from the lab, how free of dust and static your workarea is, etc

ICE isn't essential.. but it's sort of like having power windows in your car.. you might not use them every time you drive, once you have it, you can't imagine going without

 

[Damian]

Just a quick side question: for scanners without ICE, is it possible to get nice enough clean scans straight from the scanner (without editing)?

The Epson scanning software removes dust and scratches, but it doesn't work well at higher levels, and it does rather poorly on color films.

NeatImage is a great free program that does wonders with removing grain and smoothing out images, but it doesn't really attack dust.

The thing about ICE is that its actually hardware. For those that don't know, it uses an infrared pass to figure out where the dust/scratches are to remove them. I've had birds plucked out of the sky by overzealous dust filters. ICE won't do that.

 

[Kat]

I'm convinced.🙂