What about good scanner?

Hi,

My camera toyo view 4x5 is back :)

now, I want to scan my 6x7 (medium format) and my 4x5 film

I am looking for good scanner and I find this, it's good enough?

Epson Perfection 4490 Photo Scanner

Thanks
Enrique Vizcarra

Here is the key question: for both formats, how large do you anticipate printing to? At least for the 4x5, the general rule of thumb for the better consumer end flatbeds is about 4x - 5x, which would put you at 16x20 to 20x24. I think the 4490 comes under that rule of thumb.

I'm not particularly familar with that scanner, although the most commonly talked about models from Epson for scanning 4x5 are the 700 and 750 models. I'm using a Microtek 1800f which hasn't been made for a couple of years. They make an M1 model which is no longer available in North America - I'm not sure about the rest of the world or if they are even still making scanners with this use in mind.

I've never tried scanning MF so I can't comment on that.

The 4490 will not scan 4X5 film. The light source isn't big enough. You should try to find a 4990 or one of the other models with a larger light source (3200, 4870, V700, V750). There are other high end scanning options out there, but this is a starting point. I have scanned MF on the 4990. The holders are bad, so a betterscanning holder is something I would shoot for. Dry mount is much easier.

Mel-

Dan Borzynski,
Mel Ladewig

Thank you very much for your help

just one more question :)

Epson v700, 750 are good for profesional results?

I am going to give you a qualified yes on the professional capabilities for the 700/750 scanners. As I said above, they will be good up to 4x-5x enlargements that most consumers will be happy with. I've had some 4x5's drum scanned by Danny Burk and the starting point that came back was approximately the best I got out of my flatbed (and even then, the scan I asked for wasn't nearing the limits of what I know his scanner scanner can produce).

So yes, those scanners will produce excellent 16x20's from a 4x5 but much beyond that, you are looking at needing a different scanning system. The end size of the image will be a deciding factor

Feel free to email more specific questions if you would like.

Enrique, many of us are using the Microtek flatbed units with excellent results with both MF and LF. Sadly, as stated they are not sold in North America any longer at least from my understanding. The M-1 was their last release that I'm aware of and I know two people who have them and get wonderful scans. Both the later i900 and the newer M-1 had the unique scanning without any glass between the slide and the scan element. I have the i900 and use it for both 6x7-MF and 4x5-LF. They also had 35-120-4x5 slide holders that held the slides and were slid into the open scanning bay, again no glass involved.
It is also my understanding there are overseas outlets for the units, but as with anything that is not sold locally and supported as such it would no doubt be buyer be aware.