Upgrading from Epson 4490 to Pacific Image Primefilm XA

[robert_brown30]

<p>Hi,<br /> I've been using an Epson 4490 flatbed scanner for the past year and a half or so to scan my black and white 35mm negatives. The scanner works, but I'm growing tired of it. The scans never seem as sharp as they should be, and I feel like the Epson scan software's auto-exposure mode gives wonky results at times. I don't want to do a ton of work to my scans in post. In my mind, I might as well be shooting digital at that point. My biggest gripe, however, is how time consuming it has become. Epson Scan's software hasn't stayed up to date with the newer versions of OSX and as a result, you have to physically sit in front of your computer and move the cursor in order for the scanner to advance to the next frame. Probably the most annoying thing ever.<br /> Essentially, I want a scanner that can batch scan an entire roll. I want to feed the roll in, press start, and go about my day. This brings me to the Primefilm XA...<br /> I was able to check my friend's Primefilm XA out yesterday, and it looks pretty incredible. He scanned a negative for me, using the Silverlight SE Plus software, and the image looks literally twice as good as my scan with the Epson scanner. <br /> Now, I can get a brand new Primefilm XA off Amazon for $379. But there are a couple potential problems I foresee:<br /> 1) The XA comes bundled with Silverlight SE 8. From what I understand, this is the bare bones version of Silverlight, and I'd probably end up needing to upgrade for Silverlight SE Plus. I know that SE Plus is $150 by itself, but have no idea what it would cost to upgrade from SE 8. Anyone know?<br /> 2) My room is dusty. I have a long haired cat. Regardless of how clean I keep my room, these things have been an issue in the past. When using the flatbed scanner, I'll blast the living hell out of the negatives I am inserting into it with a rocket blower, and then close the scanner shut immediately afterwards. This seems to work well and leaves me very little work with the healing brush in Lightroom. Won't having a 36exp uncut roll just hanging out on my desk while the Primefilm XA does its thing result in my negatives getting completely covered in dust? Or am I being paranoid?<br /> I just can't get over how much better the scan looked on the XA vs. the Epson. I really want one, but am wondering if it's gonna be a bad call. <br /> What do you all think? It's very saddening to shoot with an M6 and a tick tack sharp summicron only to have the image quality hindered by a flatbed scanner.</p>

<p>PS. There's a bit of what looks like haze inside some of the 4490's glass. Not sure if this is affecting my scans or not. I've attached an image of said haze/fog.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

<p><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/050fcf5766c1e321ad66277c7f62c9fd/tumblr_o7whz4DuyU1taui2so1_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="1707" /></p>

[Wouter Willemse]

<p>No direct answers, but maybe for consideration:<br>

1) Not sure for the US, but in Europe you can get these scanners (branded Reflecta) also without Silverfast. These scanners work fine with VueScan, which is quite a bit cheaper than Silverfast. Now both programs are quite different, so worth downloading VueScan and try with your Epson whether you like it.<br>

2) Might indeed be a bit of an issue, but realistically in the time the film is out there exposed, how bad can it get? I use the previous model of the Primefilm XE (which is manual feed), and it's reasonably speedy (scanning is never really fast, I guess, but it isn't all that bad). Maybe check scanning of entire roll with your friend, note the time and then see how bad things get in your place in that time?</p>

[mark_tate]

<p>Well the Epson 4490 is a very old scanner now and way behind the ball as far as scanning goes, I am not surprised you are not impressed, I think I had the model just before it and that was well over 10 years ago.<br>

Epson V series will scan much better and you could probably get a new V350 for less, as for how good it is conspired to the Primefilm XA is hard to say but keep in mind that neither of them are high end scanners to start with and will only be average at best. I have never used a Primefilm scanner so can not really say how it will compare. <br>

I now use an Epson V700 that is great but to truly get great scans I need to fluid mount the film, this is a lot of work so I only do this for colour film that I am getting pro lab prints done from the scans, for B&W I print normally in my darkroom, for a scan of B&W I just use the normal film holder. I only use the Epson scan software my self and have never found any extra benefits in Silverfast.<br>

I do not use 35mm and only use 6x9 medium format or 4x5 large format so I am not pushing quality as much. <br>

Yes dust will be a big problem and yes your film will pick it all up and plenty of it, you can reduce it a lot by first cleaning the film with an anti-static film cleaner and before you load the scanner spray your room a bit with a fine mist water spray to settle the airborne dust, load the scanner and LEAVE THE ROOM AND KEEP THE CAT OUT as it scans the strip, be mindful of what you are dragging the film over as well.<br>

That haze I think is age fogging and yes it could affect your scans, your scanner is just getting old. <br>

Cat fur is the worst thing. I have a long haired cat as well and while I love him to no end my scanner does not and it will pick up every bit of fur that is in the air no matter what. Scanners have a CCD in them, that's a Charged Coupled Device, being charged means it will attract dust and hair and cat fur and whatever else there is floating around the room. All scanners will do this. </p>

[john_shriver]

<p>SilverFast does have fairly priced upgrades from the SE to Ai versions. It's expensive software, but I think it's worth it.<br>

Nothing makes scanning "fast", however.</p>

[peterbcarter]

<p>I have one, and it's not a magic bullet. As far as you walking away and all your scanning be magically done, no is the answer unless you are good with inferior results. Yes, the scanner is reasonable quality but it looks like you have unreasonable expectations. Scanning still requires skill from the operator and is only learned over time.</p>

<p>I have a 4490 and had a V700. The 4490 just can't provide enough detail and is only about 1300-1400 dpi (my guesses). You can't coax sharpness from that. The 700 is by far the most exceptional scanner I have ever owned and still would be using it if it had not died on me. I wet-mounted on the V700 and the XA can not come close to the quality. That was a let-down.</p>

<p>The XA that I bought has some serious focus issues. The product manufacturer has proven difficult to get a hold of and when I did, I had to be on the defensive. I have decided not to return it because when I insert the film upside down and play with some settings (Vuescan) I can pull a reasonable image from it. </p>

<p><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7071/26893018095_b56c716870_z_d.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Image on the right has been scanned as directed. The left is upside down and flipped digitally.</p>

<p>In my opinion, Silverfast isn't (nevr has been) worth the money and I have given them way too much in the past. The Cyberview app provided is more capable (including generating 16 bit tiffs) and will cost you nothing more. Providing you don't have the issue I ran into, you are good to go. If you go down the Vuescan route, your scans will get to be top notch, but you will be forced to learn a lot more about what you are doing.....not a bad thing.</p>

<p>As far as I know, Vuescan is the only software that will allow you to fix the framing errors that happen from time to time. My F6 imprints shot settings between frames which can sometimes screw up the position sensors.</p>

<p> </p>

[robert_brown30]

<p>Thanks for the help!<br /> Mark and Peter,<br /> You've kind of got me thinking that perhaps I should just invest in an Epson V series scanner instead of an XA. Just thinking about the hassle of keeping an uncut 36exp roll safe from dust/cat hair for an hour or two is already giving me a migraine. Using a flatbed works great because I can blast the negatives with air before quickly closing the scanner shut. But since the negatives don't lay completely flat my scans don't seem as sharp as they should be, and often times I feel like that grain I love so much about Tri-X isn't really showing up. I should mention that whatever scanner I end up with will just be used for web stuff. If I'm making prints, I'll hit the darkroom. Also, I only shoot 35mm.<br /> One thing that sucks is it seems Epson hasn't done anything to fix bug that has come about with the newer versions of OSX. Sitting at my desk and having to move the cursor every 2 minutes in order to have the following frame scanned is driving me absolutely insane! I guess I could bail on the Epson software and learn to use Vuescan.<br /> Looks like the v300's are going for like $50-$100 shipped on Ebay. What would you say the main difference is between the v300, 600, 700, and 750? I'll have whatever scanner I buy until it dies. So would I be happier down the road dropping say, $500 on the v700 vs $100 on a v300? I believe the v700 can scan 36 frames at once, whereas the v300 can only scan two strips?</p>

[peterbcarter]

<p>The 300 is about the same quality as what you have. The 600 is slightly better / usable, but the 700/750 are in a different class all by themselves.</p>

 

[robert_brown30]

<p>Okay cool, thank you. Looks like I'll go for a v700. Did you find wet mounting your 35 negs to be a total pain in the ass? I have no experience wet mounting whatsoever.</p>

[peterbcarter]

<p>It's one of those things that forms a habit. No big deal once you start doing it. Cleanliness is much easier.</p>

<p><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5642/22688512449_1cefd47f5b_b_d.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>35mm frame. The results are worth it.</p>

[wblynch]

Dissatisfied with the results I get from my Epson 4490, I now use it only for non-35mm films. 110, 126, 127 and 120 films

won't fit through my Pakon and I scan mounted slides on an ancient Canon FSLIC-2710 which is fa fabulous scanner but

without digital ICE.

 

I should get a V-700 for the medium format and soon, 4x5 negatives.

[peterbcarter]

<p>When wet mounting, you can pretty much do any size. The V7xx / V8xx can do up to 8x10</p>

 

[peterbcarter]

<p>In defence of the XA, I am able to get decent scans from my crippled unit with Vuescan. I don't think I could get this from the supplied software.</p>

<p><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7304/26705059413_4587388e6c_c_d.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>F6, Kodak Ultra Max 400, Sigma 70-300 OS, CP. Only post processing was sharpening (via vuescan), spotting and levels. </p>

<p>It took a couple of weeks to figure out how to get here, and here we are.</p>

[robert_brown30]

<p>Peter,<br /> When you were wet mounting with the v700, how many negs were you able to scan at a time? An entire roll cut into strips of 5 or 6? Sorry, completely new to this. Also am seeing there are different wet mounting kits available online for purchase. Any recommendations? Also, will Kami and Lumina damage the negatives in any way? How does one go about properly cleaning the negatives afterwards? Is there another way to keep the negatives nice and flat without wet mounting?</p>

<p>Thank you again so much for all the help.<br /> PS: Those scan looks great, especially the black and white scan w/ your v700.</p>

[peterbcarter]

<p>Wet scanning is achieved by sandwiching a negative strip between glass (not scanner bed) and a piece of acetate (or mylar) stuck together with scanning fluid, similar to licking a spoon and sticking it to your nose. The scanning fluid is optically transparent, so together the whole thing looks as one. Most scratches and finger prints seem to disappear as well.<br>

This also can help keep your negs flat for scanning. Curly negs tend to resist mounting, so as a rule I tended to use 1 strip at a time.<br>

<br />Look at this..... http://myfilmstuff.blogspot.ca/2010/04/5-wet-mount.html I started wet mounting on a 4490.... It will improve scanning to a point, but like I said earlier you can't pull sharpness out of low dpi.</p>

 

[robert_brown30]

<p>Thank you.<br>

Looks like I can get an Epson v7xx/v8xx for about the same price as a coolscan V. Since I'm only shooting 35mm, this might be the best bet, eh? http://www.ebay.com/itm/NIKON-COOLSCAN-V-ED-Film-Scanner-MINT-Hi-Serial-w-MA-21-adapter-Just-Serviced-/222131617167?hash=item33b8137d8f:g:3EgAAOSwEetWA2qj</p>

 

[peterbcarter]

<p>Personally, I would never buy any of those dead-end units unless my life depended on it. Something breaks and you are screwed. But that's just my opinion.</p>

<p> </p>

[ntd]

<p>The pacific image prime film XA is the same as the reflecta rps 10M. I bought one sometime ago and had serious issues with it.<br /> <br /> More specifically, the scanner would scan a few slides and then it would jam and stop near the end of the scanning process. After a random number of restarts it would start to operate normally again, only to jam repeatedly after a while. The problem appeared even with single 35mm mounted slides.<br /> <br />Another problem was noise in dark areas and light banding/stripes with a very prominent vertical stripe on one side of the 35mm frame. Such problems however also happen with other line scanners as well, if you google enough you will find mentions of such instances. This is why in my opinion a properly configured (not to be taken lightly :)) dslr one-shot setup might be preferable in general.<br /> <br /> In the end i returned the unit but the dealer wouldn't refund the whole sum because i had 'somehow' scanned more than 100 frames and made inadvertent use of the unit. It turned out that Silverfast registered even the prescans as normal scans...<br /> <br />All in all a very bad experience. At least reflecta stepped in to explain them that the unit was indeed defective and they should issue a full refund. So kudos to them for that.</p>

[mark_tate]

<p>I have an Epson V600 sitting in my draw doing nothing, works perfectly.<br>

If you are anywhere near Sydney Australia and can come pick it up you or anyone else can have it. <br>

I have been meaning to put it on eBay for $50 but just CBF</p>

[mark_tate]

<p>Robert.<br>

Wet mounting does take some practice and it is expensive and very time consuming and that Kami fluid will catch fire with just an angry look.<br>

If you are only scanning for web it is really a big waste of time and you would not see any real improvement.<br>

Just get a good scanner and you will be fine, optically the V700 is your best choice but it just seems like over kill for just 35mm.<br>

My V600 did a great job with medium format and 35mm but the V700 is better for sure and since i use 4x5 I do not have much choice.<br>

The only benefit in the newer V800/850 is that they have improved film holders. </p>

 

[rossb]

<p>I have the Plustek scanner 7600i and am happy with it. Older software does not work with Windows 10 so heads up on that. It scans one frame at a time using a film holder. I can make very nice scans up to 8x10 and larger scans look good to me but I have not printed one so I do not really know. </p>

<p>My son bought a Pacific Image film scanner and software on the Goodwill auctions for $10.00 and it scans equal to my Plustek. He uses mail order labs for printing which is better then what I can do at home on my Artisan 50. I am 100% B/W film. The Artisan has a purple fringing thing so in January I am going to step it up with an Epson P400 printer or a Canon printer of similar quality.. It must say compatible with Windows 10 in the description or I am not buying it. I want 2 or 3 different shades of black ink which I think is going to really make some nice inkjet prints. </p>

[p_elcock]

<p>Hi, I use the 4490 for all my film types 35 b/w, 120 b/w, colour neg and slide. THE Epsom software was ok unless the neg was very over or under exposed, then it wouldn't scan at all. Then after upgrading my Mac os, it wouldn't work at all. I'm now using Vuescan, which is a bit more clunky to use but scans much better. Here's an image from a ZORKI 4 50mm Jupiter HP5 dev in Ilfosol3<br>

I got the scanner for £50 on ebay and I'm not complaining!</p><div></div>