View Full Version : EPSON 4490 Users Comments please!
flipflop
03-02-2006, 18:33
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!
flipflop
03-02-2006, 19:24
bump anyone help me out?
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....
flipflop
03-02-2006, 19:42
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!
There was a similar thread last month. Many varied opinions. May or may not help. :)
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16358&highlight=4490
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.
flipflop
03-02-2006, 20:04
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.
flipflop
03-02-2006, 20:08
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.
JoeFriday
03-02-2006, 20:11
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
flipflop
03-02-2006, 20:12
http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/OID/130830/QUANTITY/1/cmCatID/SEARCH/rpem/ccd/addToCart.do
flipflop
03-02-2006, 20:15
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.
flipflop
03-02-2006, 20:19
aad,
what software do you use with the scanner? Vuescan?
I don't really know anything about scanners, but maybe you want to wait and look at the upcoming Epson V750? ...http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/pma06.htm
Gary
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.
flipflop
03-02-2006, 20:26
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
flipflop
03-02-2006, 20:27
aad,
Think I could pm you for some tips when I get the scanner?
I literally just got my 4490 today. I can't afford the 4990, plain and simple.
Note that the new 700 and 750 are not replacements for the 4990, but actually a line completely above and beyond current models. At those prices they should be.
If anyone is interested in a little controlled scanner off, I could try:
35mm on Nikon IV, Epson 3200, 4490, and 4990
Medium format on Epson 3200, 4490, and 4990
For slides and b&w negatives. Maybe I can borrow a friend's MF c-41 stuff if there's that much interest.
I might also be able to wrangle a scan or two out of an Imacon.
Any interest?
allan
JoeFriday
03-03-2006, 08:34
ok, I just looked up the new scanners that Epson is coming out with.. the V700, in particular
one review said that it's a great scanner, but not the best.. the one feature that makes it stand out from the crowd is the optical resolution of 6400 dpi.. but the reviewers still prefered the Canoscan 9950F for image quality
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1931776,00.asp
the price of the V700 is $550... basically the same as the 4990.. so if you were considering that model, I'd probably suggest the V700 instead.. but I think I'll be picking up a 4490 in the next week or two
flipflop
03-03-2006, 13:57
just grabbed mine today...the neg carriers suck and are finicky make sure your negs are completely straight before trying to get them in. Im running a mac g4 1.33 with 768 megs of ram and it takes a few min to say the least. Plan on spending some time doing this, this is what I can tell so far 40 mins out of the box. The scanner did come with photoshop elements which was nice because I only have photoshop on my PC.
flipflop
03-03-2006, 13:58
I havent been able to get a scan yet...just an error...hmm this is not fun I hope I can get this worked out...
flipflop
03-03-2006, 14:13
anyone else get the error messsage about not being able to find the document?
Help !
flipflop
03-03-2006, 15:01
alright im a total dumb a** haha...wow dont know how i missed that...I had to take a piece off the scanner so it could scan negs...
flipflop
03-03-2006, 15:39
first scan
dont really know what im doing
Bertram2
03-03-2006, 15:45
Hi,
I am currently thinking of buying an epson 4490. !
This scanner was discussed several times here, I believe to rember 2 threads at least. There I posted my comments and my results , best you search for the scanner name over all forums. One thread has been in the darkrom forum btw.
Very good machine for the money btw. My album "in a former life.." is all 4490.
bertram
Feel free to PM me, flipflop. The holders are a little funky, I'm working on anti-newton glass "flatteners". Make sure you turn off the USM for your scans-it defaults to "on" .
Kaiyen, I'd like to see the results. I've done the 4490, Minolta DSIV vs Frontier to a great etent-it's a lot of work!
just grabbed mine today...the neg carriers suck and are finicky make sure your negs are completely straight before trying to get them in. Im running a mac g4 1.33 with 768 megs of ram and it takes a few min to say the least. Plan on spending some time doing this, this is what I can tell so far 40 mins out of the box. The scanner did come with photoshop elements which was nice because I only have photoshop on my PC.
you might look at...
http://home.earthlink.net/~dougfisher/holder/mfholder.html
Allan, yes very interested :)
flipflop, good first scan! Looks like contrast is too strong, though. I have a feeling you'll be up all night scanning and trying to figure out optimum settings ;)
How long did the scan take?
flipflop
03-03-2006, 18:29
jano,
the scan didnt take too long...maybe 1 min per image...I do a preview before doing the scan...takes about 2 min per scan with the preview and this is at 3200 dpi..jpeg
flipflop
03-03-2006, 18:30
yeah its been a long week...midterms...im tired but I want to scan...so watching fbi files and scanning...work tomorrow, most of my friends had the luxury of actually doing something fun on springbreak...me...i gotta work...
I'll try and get my little comparison done this coming week. I will have to ask my friend with the 4990 to help out, but otherwise I can do the CS IV, 4490 and 3200 myself. All will be done with Vuescan, at 48bit color negative.
we'll see...
allan
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