Epson 2450 and 5x4"

I'm using an Epson Perfection 2450 scanner for medium and large

format negs and trannies. I'm getting good results with 6x6, but am

having trouble scanning full frame 5x4. I want to scan Type 55

Polaroid negs but these are larger than conventional 5x4 and dont fit

the holder. I want to scan full frame to include the borders

and 'perforations'. I've tried cutting a mask from black card,

fractionally larger than the neg, so that it just sits inside. 99% of

the time, the scanner can't find the film. Any suggestions? Also, in

the UK the 2450 does not ship with Silverfast, just Epson Twain

software. Does anyone have a comment about one versus t'other.

Thanks.

The Epson 2450 Holders have an open slot that is roughly approx 1 cm by 10cm long; this open slot is closest to the hinge end of the scanner. A makeshift/homemade holder requires this slot. The scanner "sets itself" to this open slot. Make a slot just like the ones on your current holders. I did this and was able to scan a 4x9 inch negative at 2400 dpi.

If you are using the automatic mode you will need to switch to manual to use an odd shaped holder.

If you scan in manual mode, you can disable automatic thumbnail preview for film (in "Configuration" window) and scan entire transparence scanning area.

I've got an Epson 2450 and scan 4x5 film with it also. I suggest that you consider replacing the Epson Twain software with VueScan from Ed Hamrick:

 

http://www.hamrick.com/

 

VueScan is much easier to use than the Epson Twain (and easier than Silverfast, IMHO). It also addresses your problem in that it lets you define manually the size and location of the thing you are scanning. You'll have to iterate through changing the size and doing a prescan to make sure that you got it right. Once you have, don't forget to save your new configuration, or you'll get to do it all over again.

 

There is another possible issue, however. I could easily be wrong about this - I've read it but have never tried to verify it. But... the one aspect that no software can help you with is that your Type 55 negative will exceed the sweet spot of the scanner. The 2450 can only give you maximum resolution down the middle 4 inches. In other words, the scanning array is only four inches wide. As you "back up" to scan a wider area, your maximum resolution will drop. This, I think, is why nobody uses the scanner to scan 8x10 film even though the bed itself will easily accomodate the 8x10 size.