WTB: Epson Perfection 4870 PHOT

[LSchafroth]

I am looking for a used Epson Perfection 4870 or at a minimum a 4490.

Thanks!

Lannie

[cyflyer]

Both similar specs, both excellent scanners. I have the 4490. Check out ebay, thats where I got mine. You live in the US so its even easier for you to get one from ebay. Good luck.

[LSchafroth]

I will be scanning slides and 8mm film. The DMAX on the 4870 is 3.8 and 3.2 on the 4490.

Do you know if this will be a huge difference?

I plan on using Vuescan Pro or Silverfast Ai as the scanning system.

Thanks!

Lannie

PS The 8mm film has to be scanned horizontal, since the other way interfers with the calibration window. The 4870 is twice as wide this way than the 4490.

[cyflyer]

Doubt there is that much diffrence between the Dmax figures, I scan 35mm slides or negatives and never at the max depth offered between the 24bit and 48bit colour depth, and rarely at the max resolution I have on tap. Between the 24 and 48 bits, I haven't seen any difference in tests, but if you go for high dpi and 48bit instead of 24bit the file file sizes become gianormous with no obvious advantage. File size DOUBLES between the 24 and 48bit settings.

Not sure what the silverfast system is, I use the epson pro-interface via Photoshop and it works fine.
I tried scanning some 8mm film once at max dpi, but the results are far from satisfactory, not because of the scan, but because the 8mm film is not that sharp in the first place, there isn't much detail in 8mm film.

Go for whichever of the two scanners you find a good deal on. They'll both do what you want them to to.

[LSchafroth]

I have settled on trying to find a Epson V500. It uses the LED's instead of the regular bulb. Much faster than the 4490 and much more durable.

Now I just have to find a good deal.

LS

[cyflyer]

The 4490/4870 are 'photo' scanners which means they have the transparency head for scanning negs/slides. I'm not sure that the V-series has this, so not good as a 'photo' scanner. Make sure about this.

[LSchafroth]

The V500 has the light built into the lid like hte 4870/4490.

I will be pulling the film through horizontally anyway, so I wont be using any of the holders. The film has to go through this way to avoid the calibration window.

Lannie

[LSchafroth]

I built a film holder in Autocad 2009 and had my cad teacher build it from a sheet of plastic. Turned out slick. Now I just need a electronic feeder mechanism to pull it through and fire off a scan.

Any good programmers and builders out there want to make this for me?

I'm willing to use OSX, Windows, or Linux.

Lannie