Epson 4990 Scanner

[JTL]

I just picked up one yesterday and all I can say is WOW! I love it when the gear is as good as the hype. I haven't converted any slides with it yet, but I have converted a bunch of 4x6 snapshots up enlarged them to 8x10 with astounding results.

Believe it or not, below is a scan from a five year old 4x6 print. Unbelievable! The scan took less then 30 seconds, and the excellent twain implementation allows me to effortlessly and flawlessly scan right from inside PSP X. The results are nothing short of amazing (hyperbole alert...at least I'm amazed! )



So, now I am totaly self-contained and self-sufficient in all needs photographic. And, I can, without question, add my recommedation for this product (for photographs, at least...I'll test some slides over the weekend time permitting).

[D Thompson]

JTL - WOW! That does look good. What resolution is the scan? I've got a old HP and it takes it 30 seconds to even think about it, much less scan a higer res pic. I may have to look into the Epson for a future toy.

[JTL]

JTL - WOW! That does look good. What resolution is the scan? I've got a old HP and it takes it 30 seconds to even think about it, much less scan a higer res pic. I may have to look into the Epson for a future toy.

Ha ha! After checking the settings, I realized I scanned that one at only 300 dpi! The ones I did yesterday were at 1200...but the 300 one looks better! Go figure. The big difference over my old scanner though is the 24-bit color.

And, BTW, that image is right out of the scanner...I didn't play with any of the the included "enhancement" software yet...but for the average print, there doesn't seem to be a need to adjust anything...

[aparmley]

Good stuff JTL - I was eye-balling this scanner as well. Thanks for info. ouch I was looking at the 4490 - this one is a little high for my wallet. . .

[JTL]

Good stuff JTL - I was eye-balling this scanner as well. Thanks for info. ouch I was looking at the 4490 - this one is a little high for my wallet. . .

Well since you brought up the 4490 now's a good time to outline the differences and similarities between the two:

They both are: 4800 (x 9600) dpi, 48-bits per pixel color, 16-bits per pixel gray scale.

The 4490 has a 3.4 Dmax rating and the 4990 has a 4.0 Dmax rating, which means that the 4990 has greater dynamic range...important if you want to retain shadow detail.

The 4490 is rated at 36,000 cycles, the 4990 is rated at 100,000 cycles.

The 4490 has an optional 30-page document feeder, the 4990 does not.

The 4490 has a less sophisticated transparancy/film holder system than the 4990. Details below:

4490
2.7" x 9.3" Transparency Adapter built-in lid, 12 35mm negative, 4 35mm slide, 1 2-1/4", 6x12cm or 120/220mm (medium format) capacity.

4990
8" x 10" Transparency Adapter built-in lid with four film holders: 35mm slides (8 frames), 35mm film strips (24 frames), medium format strips 2-1/4", 120/220mm, 6x12cm (3-6 frames) and 4" x 5" film (2 frames); 8" x 10" film area guide.

The software bundles are slightly different:

4490
Adobe® Photoshop® Elements, ABBYY® FineReader® Sprint Plus OCR, Epson Creativity Suite, NewSoft™ Presto!® BizCard, Epson Scan with Epson Easy Photo Fix™ Technology .

4990
LaserSoft Imaging™ SilverFast® SE 6, Adobe® Photoshope® Elements, ABBYY® FineReader® Sprint OCR, Epson Copy Utility, Epson Scan with Epson Easy Photo Fix™ Technology

BTW, the only difference between the 4990 "Pro" and the regular 4990 is the software bundle (addition of Monaco EZcolor and the ArcSoft suite). I did not get the Pro because I own that software already!

So, as you can see, the 4490 is a very capable scanner as well. If you don't feel you need the nominal extra dynamic range and the film holder and you aren't worried about the duty cycle, you can save yourself a couple of hundred bucks!

Hope this clarifies what surely seems like a tough one to figure out!

[cdifoto]

That is one awesome scanner! My little Canon LiDE 60 sucks in comparison.

[aparmley]

Hope this clarifies what surely seems like a tough one to figure out!

Thank you sir. Uhhhh. what a hell of time to agree to getting on a better budget, great scott!