Help me to decide - Canon 8400F or Epson 4490?

[blacklight]

Hi,

I'd like to hear your opinions on the title question. Which scanner would you choose and why? Is there someone who has used both scanners and can compare them? I'm little tight on budget and Canon is a bit cheaper, does Epson have some significant advantages which could justify the higher price?

Thanx

 

[VictorM.]

Didn't Frank go through this several months ago?

 

[JoeFriday]

I've never used the Canon, so I can't give a comparison, but I have the 4490 and I'm very pleased with it.. the ICE feature is very nice.. well worth the extra money

 

[gelmir]

Go for the Epson. I've got the Canon and found the scans to be to blurry, as if the focus is a bit off. Plus, there is a lot of green cast. Post treatment with smart sharpen and color balance is mandatory. I can get pleasant and decent result with the Canon and can live with it but it requires knowledge in manipulating images.

I think you'll have less troubles with the Epson.

 

[amoz]

Hi blacklight, I'd try a search for the comparison Victor is referring to because I am afraid you'll be hardpressed to find someone who has actually owned and used both scanners side by side.

I have got the Epson 4490, and it's the third Epson scanner I have used regularly for scanning mainly b&w negatives and some color positives (135 & 6x6). [Not that the others broke down, the first one was at an editorial office I no longer work at and the second was a private purchase I wanted to upgrade]

Using the Epson software I get satisfyingly crisp results (further adjustments I make in PS) and I would definitely recommend it. I do have a problem scanning night-shots but I won't hijack your topic asking for a solution.

Good luck!

 

[Leica Geek]

What does the Ice feature do? I can't run it on my computer for some reason.

 

[aad]

ICE can remove specks fom scans, but doesn't work on real B&W. It slows things waaaay down, so unless I'm scanning old stuff, it isn't worth it.

 

[jano]

Story regarding the epson... I'm on my third 4490 😡 The first scanned most excellent and was surprisingly sharp, but I discovered it wouldn't scan past 8 inches (I needed some docs scanned besides film 😱). So back it went, they sent me another, and this one kept scanning a green line down the middle. On the third, and this one is soft as all heck.

Bah, I should just go to digital 😛

 

[Pablito]

I've had two Epsons and been very happy with them scanning several formats of film and also prints. Good software (works well w/ Mac)...