focal plane

I am new to scanners. I have just started scanning 6x7 and 6x9 B&W negs using

an Epson 4490. I am worried about the fact that the negative carrier does not

hold the film very flat and it is raised about 1mm above the glass. I have not

noticed any particular problem but I have only scanned about a dozen negs. Has

anybody found a problem with this, if so what have you done about it? Or am I

worried about nothing? Norman

I have the Epson V750, but the MF holders are the worst of any holder for any format I have ever used, including 4x5. I quickly changed to this holder: www.betterscanning.com

Not only does it hold the film flatter, it has adjustable height. Your scanner may not need it, mine did.

Scan a peice of film, preferably of some map or chart, then inspect it across the frame at 100% magnification. If it is uniform and fairly sharp (hard to judge without something to compare to, e.g. Imacon scan) chances are you don't need a third party holder. If, like most of us, you find that it is not sharp across the frame, or uniformly soft, chances are you need an adjustable third party holder.