Epson 4990

Just a couple of quick notes:

I have it hooked up. Had problems with my USB sh*t and hooked it up to firewire. No problems after that - though I may have to chain something or get another firewire card.

The differences in the scans between the 4990 (at least on the one test print I've been doing: Crossing Brooklyn Bridge) - are minor.

- VueScan has a setting for the 4990 FILM HOLDER: NONE (i.e. you are going to stick it on the glass). The 1600 didn't have that setting or I didn't see it. The initial scans I did seem - oh - just a bit sharper - but I can't quantify yet.

- It's a bit faster - though I'm not sure how much since I didn't time the 1600 while it was attached.

- You can get a larger file without interpolation.

In general - the 4990 seems better suited for film scanning. The negative lies closer to the glass. The cover shuts better (I had to put a book and some weight on the 1600 to keep the cover flat). I doubt that the dynamic range difference is something you'll pick up on between the two scanners.

I'm looking at unsharped images at this point so - you know how that goes. It's crazy what you'll go through for just that extra little bit of whatever. One other nice thing - it's smaller and lighter than the 1600 - and that by itself may be worth something. Give the poor thing a little breathing room on the kitchen counter.

- Now I need to see if my Dimage is still working - probably not since I hooked it up with USB. I haven't chained firewire before - but looks like the Dimage and either of the two Maxtor one touch drives can be chained. The 4990 only has the one firewire port.