OT: Flat Bed Scanner Software.

[Wayne R. Scott]

I think I am finally going to invest in a flat bed scanner for medium and large format negatives. I am looking at the Epson Perfection 4990 Photo versus the 4990 Pro. Near as I can tell the difference is in the bundled software with the Pro, plus of course an additional $190.

If I have Photoshop already do I need any additional software to make my scanning life easier? If so what software do you reccomend?

I have negative sizes of 645, 6x6, 6x7, 6x9 in medium format plus 3x4, 4x5 and 5x7 in large format. Maybe some day 8x10. Of course I have 35mm also but I have just been having the local mini-lab scan them with their Fuji frontier.

Should I save the $190 and buy the lower priced scanner? Or is this false economy on my part?

Thanks!

wayne

 

[djon]

Check to see if Vuescan works with 4990. It's like $90 and it's superb. I've heard some say a full Silverfast has advantages, but I've never understood why.

One nice thing about Vuescan is that you buy it once, you don't pay for updates or for use on other scanners...unlike Silverfast.

Silverfast and Epson front ends do look easier than Vuescan's but I don't think Vuescan's actually harder, just has more options.

I use Vuescan with my Nikon V, have not yet tried it with my 3200 flatbed. With the flatbed I found Epson's application just as good as the intro version of Silverfast.

 

[djon]

...Vuescan has "infared"....same as Ice. I don't know if works well with 4990 and I've heard there may be Ice issues with 4990 in the first place (I heard gossip that Ice only worked in reflective work in 4990, but we hear all kinds of false info, don't we?).

 

[Peter L]

Silverfast is worth a look.I scan 1/4 plate negs all B&W and I find it has an incredible ammount of flexibility in it Martin Evening recommends it in "Photoshop for Photographers" .
Someone has recomendend software with ICE but for me I found it did not work to well with B&W negs.

 

[photodog]

I believe Vuescan has a demo version you can download. Try it out. My personal opinion is that the software from the scanner manufacturers is good enough. I've tried Vuescan and dislike the interface. Silverfast might have a demo version available too.

 

[djon]

I agree that Vuescan's interface is no fun...very linear...the others are all have simple-looking or entertaining front end (Lasersoft/Silverfast has a P51 wwII airplane!).

Vuescan's more sophisticated than Epson's own application, but if you do buy the less expensive version of 4990 you get Epson automatically anyway.

Silverfast is much more expensive than Vuescan, not just when you buy it the first time, but also when you go to other scanners and computers and when you update it. I bought Vuescan once (pro version, $90), have run it on two scanners, have used three computers, two with Win 98 and one with XP. I've done regular upgrades without any cost. Excellent English-fluent support, as well (Vs Silverfast ).

If you must have Silverfast, definitely get it with the 4990 because it'll cost much more otherwise.

Neither "Ice" nor "infared" works with conventional silver B&W, but they both do with C41 B&W. If your concern is B&W and if you're interested in Ice, you need to be sure about that capability in your chosen software. I think (don't know) Ice does work on C41 or chrome with the Epson application.