Epson 4990 for 8x10"

[MarcoF]

Hi there, here's Marco from Italy...
I shoot 4x5" and scan my trannies with an Epson 3200, with this combination I can make prints in the A3+ size (with the 2100/2200) or higher with a Epson 4000 (I usually enlarge 4x), that are very very good.
I've been thinking for some time to make the "big jump" to 8x10", but I'd like to continue this "home workflow", basically for economical issues (a drum scan is very expensive!!!) and creative ones (complete control over the processes).
I can print on a 9600, a good friend of mine has one.
Do you think that scanning 8x10" film with the new Epson 4990, and enlarging 4x (I mean making 32x40" prints with the 9600) will yield the same good results that I have with the 4x5" films enlarged 4x with the 3200 scanner/2100 print combination?

Well I know that the scanner is relatively new to the market but maybe someone has some experience...
Thank you and ciao
Marco

[colrehogan]

I don't know. However, I will be looking out for any comments as I'd love to get a scanner that I can use with 8x10 slides. At the moment, I have an Epson 2450.

[donbga]

I can print on a 9600, a good friend of mine has one.
Do you think that scanning 8x10" film with the new Epson 4990, and enlarging 4x (I mean making 32x40" prints with the 9600) will yield the same good results that I have with the 4x5" films enlarged 4x with the 3200 scanner/2100 print combination?

Well I know that the scanner is relatively new to the market but maybe someone has some experience...
Thank you and ciao
Marco

Marco,

I would recommend the Microtek i900 or the f1800 over the Epson 4990. The main problem with the 4990, 4780, 3200, and 2450 is:

1) The film holders for sheet film crop too much.
2) Microtek scanners exhibit less noise and have a larger dynamic range
3) They are sharper since they have superior optics.

No I don't own one but I will sometime this year. Want to buy a 2450 cheap?

Don Bryant

[philsweeney]

Marco,

I would recommend the Microtek i900 or the f1800 over the Epson 4990.
Don Bryant

Don,

I have been interested in the f1800 for 8 x 10, but one user advised newton rings do show up occasionally. I contacted a sales rep and he said the glass is anti-newton ring glass and takes care of most newton ring occurrances. Yet another user advised he does not believe his glass is anti-newton ring glass.

Do you have any first-hand experience with the scanner?

Phil

[donbga]

Don,

I have been interested in the f1800 for 8 x 10, but one user advised newton rings do show up occasionally. I contacted a sales rep and he said the glass is anti-newton ring glass and takes care of most newton ring occurrances. Yet another user advised he does not believe his glass is anti-newton ring glass.

Do you have any first-hand experience with the scanner?

Phil

Phil,

I have no first hand experience with the scanner but I do with the Agfa DuoScan which is made by Microtek. I scan sheet film all the time on the DuoScan glass carrier and never have Newton rings.

Don

[MarcoF]

Don, thank you for your answer, I'll look for the Microtek too...here in Europe there's a huge difference in price between the Epson and the 1800f, not so huge but still remarkable between the 4990 and the i900, but if the difference is due to an improved quality it'll be ok for me...anyway, I found this review of the Epson 4990, it is in french but with Bable Fish is quite understandable:

http://www.galerie-photo.com/compara...ner-epson.html

Any direct experience in scanning 8x10" with a flatbed and then printing BIG?
How far can we go?

Ciao and thank you
Marco

[kudzma]

The new Epson 4990 will scan 8x10 film according to this Epson press release:

http://www.epson.com/cmc_upload/pdf/...leaseFINAL.pdf

I'm waiting for this scanner.

Linas