Need MF Scanner

Epson 4490 or V600 ????????

Just to clarify your question: the choice must be one of these too?

I opted for the Epson V850 Pro. A bit more expensive, but well worth it. I also opted for the Better Scanning tray for medium format (6x6, 6x7, 6x9, 6x4.5).

 

Can't speak to the 4490 or V600.

Just to clarify your question: the choice must be one of these too?

What I'm looking at can afford

The V600 is a later model, instant on. I used one for ten years scanning MF. Currently, it's around $225 new. But Epson sometimes has refurbished ones on sale at around $140 with a one year warranty. I just checked. Unfortunately, they don't have any now. But you could call them to see if any are coming up soon. Good luck.

Epson Clearance Center | Epson US

Hello everyone. I have used the Epson V600 for almost 11 years now. Have (2), one in Wa. state and here in Hawaii. The Better Scanning insert for 120 and Anti Newton Ring glass inserts for the stock plastic Epson 35mm negative carrier. I find no fault with the MF scans, even with my Agfa Isolette cameras, which are not the "ultimate" with the Apotar lenses. Here are two test frames of EDU 200 film (35 & 120 formats) with the Isolette 3 on 120 and a Fed-2 / Jupiter for the 35mm. Both films developed in Pyrocat HDC. Aloha, Bill

System is being "Wierd"... here is the 35mm photo.

Decided on new V600.

Good choice I'd say , having used one almost non stop for over half a decade . Before spending any further money , might I suggest

a thin plate of glass over the negatives and then scan . Sometimes with slide film you may get Newtonian rings and sometimes not .

It works surprisingly well for me . Peter

V600 arrived today. Really impressed. Film holders are carp. Far sharper direct on scanner bed soo fast too. So much for my old film processors H Res scans of I2 MP from 6X6

 

Edited February 19, 2021 by laurencecochrane

V600 arrived today. Really impressed. Film holders are carp. Far sharper direct on scanner bed soo fast too. So much for my old film processors H Res scans of I2 MP from 6X6

 

[ATTACH=full]1376966[/ATTACH]

 

Beware of Newton's Rings when scanning directly on glass.

 

Newton's rings.

It's a bit costly, but the Better Scanning 6x6 insert is tack sharp with an ANR glass cover. Same also for ANR glass inserts on the "crappy" Epson plastic 35mm carrier. Also consider scaning negs emulsion down. The native Epson software allows EZ flip or flop of positive image. Bill

Beware of Newton's Rings when scanning directly on glass.

 

Newton's rings.

No problem so far

I'm new to scanning. Why is the V850 Pro so much more money that the V600?

V850 is for large format sheet film.V600 up to 120

Just WRT Newton's rings:

Some years ago I came across the filmholder from some sort of professional printer/copier/enlarger. It was fitted with multicoated glass, which, thinking about it, was obviously there to prevent interference rings. Since it's the change of refractive index between glass, film and any trapped air that causes Newton's rings.

 

So a simple solution, other than the usual horrible dimpled AN glass, would be to use the glass from a multi-coated UV filter as a pressure plate on the film base. But having said that, I use an old and heavy metal glassless negative carrier for film copying, and rarely get other than perfect focus from corner to corner.

Edit: Including the small hair I've just noticed and that I forgot to spot out! :oops:

V850 is for large format sheet film.V600 up to 120

The V850 also has higher dMax for penetrating denser areas of the film. There are two sets of holders for each format. Plus each holder has a built-in glass side that holds the negatives flat. Film holders' heights can be adjusted for maximum sharpness. It has Silverfast software in addition to the Epsonscan if you want to use it, but it;s not the Silverfast with the most bells and whistles. There's a wet mount holder.

V600 also comes with Silverfast

also comes with Silverfast

I'm not sure that's a bonus.

 

Some people seem to love it, but the LE version I tried to use was pretty awful IMO.

Hugely improved over Epsonscan.

V600 also comes with Silverfast

Edit that. If you own a V600 and provide a serial number. Epson will supply it, via e,mail.

V850 is for large format sheet film.V600 up to 120

 

Specifically, many scanners can scan larger documents, but the back light for film isn't so big.

 

You have to read the specifications carefully to figure this out.

 

Some scanners have two sensors, one for full width and one for a narrower width.

It might be that in some the focal position is different for the two.

That is, ones for transparencies focus slightly above the glass.

Again, this is hard to find in the specifications.

You can use a piece of Anti-Newton glass to cover the film. I have used a mask cut from black mounting board (black all the way through) about 2 mm thick with the glass on top. Anti-reflective glass for picture frames works well and is inexpensive. Place the film emulsion side down, as it tends to cup upwards in the center. That way it touches the scanner glass only at the edges, and the AN glass prevents rings where it touches in the center.

 

Most "affordable" photo scanners use a microlens array rather than a single, photo quality lens, which place the plane of focus at the surface of the scanner glass. Exceptions would be the discontinued 800 models and the commercial Expression line, with deep bases (4-6 inches) to accommodate the lens and mirrors. These expensive scanners could focus on the glass for documents and about 2 mm higher for negative in a holder. A few had auto focus. For comparison, my Epson Expression 1600 cost $1300 near the turn of the century, with resolution close to the advertised 1600 ppi. These days inexpensive scanners advertise 6400 ppi (and deliver 1600).

 

You can determine the plane of best focus by placing an steel engineering rule flat on the glass, propping one end up with a pencil, and observing which markings are the sharpest. With a little trigonometry, you can put accurate numbers on that measurement.

 

If you are serious about MF film, the best approach to scanning for less than $3K (e.g., a used Nikon LS-9000) is to use a lighted copy table with a digital camera. The resolution is as good or better than all but a dedicated film scanner, and about 4x faster, including sorting, cleaning and positioning.