User Opinions of Epson 4180

Hello All.

 

Jumping back into MF (for B&W work at least), and looking for an

inexpensive flatbed scanner. I'm currently using an Epson

Perfection 1660 with my own homemade 6x9 neg holder. Results are OK

with a lot of sharpening, but I'd like to do better. <p>

 

The specs on the 4180 look good. How's it perform in real-life on

medium format negs? Any links to onlinee reviews? Are any of you

using the aftermarket Holdera neg holder? Does it make a difference?

<p>

 

Thanks in advance.

Hi Sheldon

 

I can't comment on the 4180 as I have never used it, but I do own the 4870 and have used it for 6x6 med format, with very good results. Its more expensive but like they say you get what you pay for. Heres a link to a good review of this scanner.http://www.photo-i.co.uk/index.html

 

tomp

Can't say anything on the 4000-series, but my 3170 meets my expectations.

I have just purchasedthe Epson 4180 photo scanner. I had already owned and used three other flatbed scanners and the HP S20 film scanner. This scanner was purchased solely for MF scanning and my first tests are absolutely amazing. The film holders are mickey mouse but I have ordered the 3rd party one on the web whch has adjustable format sliders so that I can scan 6x9 etc-haven't received it yet- one can scan without the holders by laying the flat negative directly on the glass and it works well ,providing the neg is flat- But honestly, I am amazed at the quality, even for warped 6x6 cardboard slides. A Godsend. with a good slide and or B&W negative the resoution and snap will knck your eyes out.

Just wanted to leave an update on the scanning with the 4180. I purchased the supplementary adjustable slide holder sold on the web which is excellently made and permits scans on the 4180 of the entire length of the flourescent tube cover channel which means it will scan 120 format ultrawide negs as well as 6x9,etc. One thing I noted about the scanner is that the flourescent tube in the lid heats the neg so that it will start curling or "popping" after a minute or so. Keep in mind that the gentleman that sells the 3rd party adapter also sells anti-newton ring glass which wil fit in his channel and ,presumably, hold the negative flat. Actually, I make it a practice to scan asap when I lay the neg in the adapter. A slight curl seems to make little difference in the results although if you are looking fir it I'm sure you could find it. The other point is- one can ,without any adapter or holder at all, just lay the negative flat on the glass of the scanner then cover with a sheet of glass to hold it down- the adapter just makes it easier to ensure that your neg is aligned with the flourescent cut in the cover. one could (and I won't)take a black grease pencil and draw the borders as to where the cut is in relationship to the scanner glas and then just lay the negs on the glass using oneedge for alignment. whatever- it is one bargain machine. I supposedly got a $50 rebate coming back on my $250 purchase but you know how that is- I'll believe it when I see it. A great buy and very good quality scans-I don't scan more than 1200 dpi due to file size considwerations but I am impressed with the scanner and the software (I use the professional mode). Check it out-Thak you Epson!

one more report- I tried scanning,(incredible) some Minox 9.5mm B&W negs last night as well as some 16mmslides and 110 color negs.It is doable- they come out great for theirsize (don't try 8x10 prints) -excellent little scanner- scanned them at 2400 and 4800dpi due to teeny size. I was IMPRESSED!

Thank you all for your responses. I went ahead and got the 4180 last week. I'm still experimenting, but I'm pretty satisfied. I'll post some sample when I get a chance.

As promised above, I wanted to share my early results from my Epson 4180 scanner. I only had time to play w/it a little bit before I left town earlier this week. <p>

 

Here are some links to samples:<p>

 

<a href = "http://s95017342.onlinehome.us/Scanner/hotlefullframe50sharp.jpg"> - full frame scan of 6x6 chrome, resized to about 640 x 640, with 50% unsharp mask in Photoshop </a>

<p>

<a href = "http://s95017342.onlinehome.us/Scanner/100percentnoscansharp2.jpg"> - 100% size crop from same pix as above, 4800 dpi scan, no sharpness applied </a><p>

 

<a href = "http://s95017342.onlinehome.us/Scanner/100percent500PSsharp2.jpg"> - 100% size crop from same pix as above, 4800 dpi scan, 500% unsharp mask applied in Photoshop </a> <p>

 

<a href = "http://s95017342.onlinehome.us/Scanner/100percentEPscansharp2.jpg"> - crop from same pix as above, 4800 dpi scan, 100% size, unsharp mask applied at scan time in Epson software </a> <p>

 

<a href = "http://s95017342.onlinehome.us/Scanner/fish3.tif"> - full frame scan of a 35mm neg resized to about 640 x 480, about 75% unsharp mask in Photoshop </a> <p>

 

- Overall I'm pretty stratified. For web sized scans, the results look great. <p>

- For 100% scans at 4800 DPI, it clear that the sharpness in not all that, but applying unsharp mask at scan time works pretty well. What's VERY interesting to me, is that the Epson unsharp mask at scan time produces better results that the max percentage unsharp mask that you can apply in Photoshop. It's slightly sharper with fewer artifacts. It WAY better than Photoshop unsharp mask in the shadow area - the PS unsharp produces a LOT of color noise in the shadows.<p>

- 4800 DPI is WAY over kill for most applications. A 4800 DPI scan of a 6x7 neg will yield a 34" x 42", when resized to print at 300 PPI!! Oh yeah, it take almost 15mins to scan on USB 1.1, and it produces a 360 meg file!!!<p>

- High res scans from B&W negs are pretty grainy, and using noise reduction software is pretty much a must. I'll be experimenting more with this.

this may be a silly question, but does the 4180 scan as far as MF, will it scan MF color negatives?

Yes

Good review! Let us know how you about your progress with the scanner.

I've been using the 4180 scanner for the past several days and you're right...4800 dpi is overkill. The problem I have is that I have misplaced (lost?) my medium format film adapter...I tried phoning Epson with no results...I spent half an hour at Best Buy and they couldn't find a replacement..just suggested I buy a new scanner. I have many of my wedding negatives that I'd love to scan...If I can't get the adapter, I'll try your suggestion of placing a sheet of glass over the neg...thanks for that suggestion... Overall, I think it's a great little scanner for the price... I've been making all my adjustments in Photoshop CS3 with the levels/curves and that really helps...