EPSON 4490 Users Comments please!

flipflop

flipflop

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Hi,
I am currently thinking of buying an epson 4490. I shoot about 80% 35mm and 20% med format 6x6 and xpan. How is scanning 35mm on the flatbed? Am I better off getting a dedicated 35mm film scanner? Also, this scanner has digital ice, how well does it work as I would not be able to afford a dedicated film scanner that has ICE.

Also if there are mac users who have this scanner any comments you could make would be great as well.

Thanks again you guys are great!
 
The only thing i can tell you is that i am in the same boat...buti am waiting for the new epsons to be released ... they announced some at PMA and i will wait to see how they are and if they are not all that much better than i will pick up a 4990 for what i hope to be a better price after it has been replaced....
 
hmm..I think it is already priced quite well...250 with a 50 dollar mail in rebate. 200 bucks is not bad. The only thing I could see them doing would maybe lowering the 4990 price as well, but I dont shoot any 4x5 so I dont think I need it. What other major advantages does the 4990 have over the 4490?

Thanks!
 
Don't take this as gospel because I am working from memory here. The 4990 has a slightly greater dynamic range. The 4990 has a bit different bulb/sensor/technology name that they advertise. I had made my mind up that for the money I would choose the 4490. I also read an article that downplayed small differences in the dynamic range spec.
I do not do LF or MF and the members are split over its performance with 35 mm. I really wished it was the silver bullet. One member bought both a film and a flatbed. I decided to hold off, which is OK when looking at my financial reserves. :)
 
Depends on what you shoot, and what you want to do. If you want one scanner to do 35 and MF, either of the 2 Epsons are about it. If you shoot mostly B&W, the 4490 is fantastic. Color negatives are great, too, but slides are a little more challenging. I did a thread on the 4490 vs Minolta DSIV, with some examples, in the Darkroom forum.
The Epson works great on a Mac, no hitches. The Minolta locks up frequently.
 
aad,
That is what I like to hear!
I shoot 50/50 b&w and color. Some slides but they can wait. I have pretty much stopped shooting slide film...been shooting meterless alot of the time.
 
I think John is right about the dynamic range and for 200 after rebate it is not bad...also if you check circuit city they have them at $229 and if you pick it up at a local store no shipping charges discount the rebate and viola $179
 
If I were to keep only one, I'd keep the Epson. I use the Minolta for slides only-it's very good at it, and the scans need almost no PS work.
 
I think im going to tomorrow :) FRIDAY is going to be good...!

Hmm looks like im selling my f3 and 55mm micro.
bogen 3221 tripod and pistol grip head.
Crumpler bag
Contax G 35mm lens used once with box and bag as new
 
I'd say it depends on the scan quality you need with the 35mm. What do you do with the scans - large digital prints? If so you might need the better quality available from a dedicated 35mm film scanner. I was reasonably happy with the scans of 35mm on the 4490; certainly good enough for viewing on the PC and web-site use. But for printing you might need better - I don't have the experience yet to say for sure.

One factor is handling - not sure about other film scanners but the Nikon Coolscan V (film scanner, not flatbed) is much faster to use due to the ease of handling the negatives - just poke the strip into the slot and the scanner does the rest - much faster than fitting the strip of negatives into the negative holder for the 4490.
 
I'm thinking the same thing as Chaser.. except I'd go for the 4490.. I'm wondering what the new models are and if the 4490 will drop in price soon
 
Pretty much just want to share some of the pics I have taken with the world :)! Printing some would be nice as well but if they are really that good I could have them scanned by a friend who has the minolta 5400 I not the II. The other nice thing is alot of the times older pictures in my house are just pics and my parents didnt save the negs or lost them.

With my luck when I go they wont have them in stock.
 
I have in my hands (sorta) an 8x10 print, made from a 4490 scan of a TriX negative. I'm very happy with it, and I'm kind of fussy.
 
Epson Scan. Tried Vuescan, absolutely no advantage to me, and not as smooth. I do all my image work in PS, and scan with no corrections. I learned that from Bertram, another 4490 user who gets great results.
 
Damn, as nice as they look they are out of my student price range...

one day one day...that is what I keep telling myself
 
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