Epson 4990 in 2025 - Windows 11 Compatibility / Experience

[koraks]

The lens in the 4990 does not move. The focus is fixed. The focal plane is ca 1.5mm.above the glass. The story about the 8x10 scans is simply that Epson assumed resolution requirements wouldn't be too critical since the negative is so large anyway.

I've always used this scanner with the Epson Scan software, currently under Windows 11. I don't see a clear advantage to VueScan personally. I've tried it on a few occasions and just found it clunky.

 

[loccdor]

VueScan is apparently the option if you are on Linux. I haven't used my Epson since I switched over.

 

[acrobatic_citron]

The lens in the 4990 does not move. The focus is fixed. The focal plane is ca 1.5mm.above the glass. The story about the 8x10 scans is simply that Epson assumed resolution requirements wouldn't be too critical since the negative is so large anyway.

I've always used this scanner with the Epson Scan software, currently under Windows 11. I don't see a clear advantage to VueScan personally. I've tried it on a few occasions and just found it clunky.

Great, thank you, what would you suggest for a shoe in negative holder for 4x5, I was thinking of placing it between 2 pieces of acetate but that might cause too many reflections? The resolution so far is fine for contact prints but would be great to maximise if I wanted to print, are the better scanning guys still going?

 

[koraks]

You could rig up a holder similar to the original one using bits of plasticard or stiff cardboard, and/or 3D print some items. You could also use some bits of glass (AN glass if you're fancy/rich) to sandwich the negative between. Unless you use AN glass, Newton rings will likely be a problem (I've never been able to really work around them in any case) esp. on the backside of the film.
I generally use either the holders that came with the scanner, or (for sheet film) just plonk the negatives onto the platen and call it good.

The resolution so far is fine for contact prints

For small prints scanning right on the glass is fine. You only need 300-600dpi for that anyway - and even that is generous. Actual "contact prints" of course do not involve a scanner!

are the better scanning guys still going?

If you refer to the 'betterscanning' company that used to sell holders - no, I think they went out of business several years ago.

 

[acrobatic_citron]

contact prints" of course do not involve a scanner!

haha I will start calling them digital proofs!, thank you for sharing your knowledge as always

 

[koraks]

No worries; I make such proof sheets from scans as well btw. Works great for a handy preview of what's on the negatives. I file them with the negatives in a folder.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

VueScan is apparently the option if you are on Linux. I haven't used my Epson since I switched over.

Epsonscan operates with Linux. Use the pull-down screen to select it or the operating system you use.
Epson Perfection 4990 Photo https://epson.com/Support/Scanners/Perfection-Series/Epson-Perfection-4990-Photo/s/SPT_B11B175012
Epson Perfection 4990 Pro: https://epson.com/Support/Scanners/Perfection-Series/Epson-Perfection-4990-Pro/s/SPT_B11B175011

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Film holders and other parts for the Perfection 4990 Photo Scanner

Perfection 4490 Photo - Scanners - Products

compassmicro.com

 

[loccdor]

Epsonscan operates with Linux. Use the pull-down screen to select it or the operating system you use.
Epson Perfection 4990 Photo https://epson.com/Support/Scanners/Perfection-Series/Epson-Perfection-4990-Photo/s/SPT_B11B175012
Epson Perfection 4990 Pro: https://epson.com/Support/Scanners/Perfection-Series/Epson-Perfection-4990-Pro/s/SPT_B11B175011

If I recall correctly, it doesn't work without a lot of fiddling around. Haven't tried though.

 

[brbo]

There are no drivers or software for 4990 provided by Epson.

 

[koraks]

Epsonscan operates with Linux. Use the pull-down screen to select it or the operating system you use.

If you do that and click your way through to where the good stuff is supposed to be, you'll first see a notification that Epson doesn't provide any Linux support, and then on their dedicated download page you'll simply draw a blank on anything for Linux for this scanner.

If you've tried it and got it to work, please show.

If I recall correctly, it doesn't work without a lot of fiddling around. Haven't tried though.

It's been years since I tried and back then, Sane (with xSane frontend) supported only reflective scans and no transparency unit on this scanner. IDK if that has changed.

 

[MattKing]

One of the weird things about the Epson support is that there seems to be different resources available depending on the geographic location of the marketing and support websites!

 

[PhilipTobias]

Jumping in here late, but I regularly use an Epson 4990. My Intel MacBook Pro is running macOS Sequoia and I have used VueScan software for years.

Although I mostly scan color or B&W prints, I have also scanned assorted negatives or transparencies using the Epson's plastic holders.

Since I also have a Minolta Elite 5400 scanner for 35mm film, the Epson gets used for occasional medium format or 4x5" film scans.

The Epson is mostly used for scanning prints and business forms (VueScan's scan to printer feature works great with forms, so I don't need a separate copier).

The Epson 4990 still does a fine job on everything I throw at it. Hope that helps. ...pt

 

[fransys]

I'm on W11 and use vuescan. This software can manage all scanners.
I use it with 4990 and plustek 7650i

 

[Tom Taylor]

Got you all beat: I'm still running an 3200 w/VueScan on a Windows 10 machine.

 

[acrobatic_citron]

Well Ive just realised if I factory reset my 2014 MacBook Pro it'll be on Mavericks so I can test out epson scan for free! Knew there was a good reason to keep it

 

[srardnec]

One of the weird things about the Epson support is that there seems to be different resources available depending on the geographic location of the marketing and support websites!

the portal "https://download-center.epson.com" is useless, downloads are to be picked from any espon.<country> site in the support section.
But these also don't show specific software like the Linux one.
For instance Germany support page: https://www.epson.de/de_DE/support
Enter "Perfection 4990" in the search field, it redirects to a page where to chose an OS:

Epson Perfection 4990 Support | Epson Deutschland

Support-Informationen für Epson Perfection 4990

www.epson.de

Pick Windows 11 and it displays the downloads for Epson Scan:

Epson Perfection 4990 Support | Epson Deutschland

Support-Informationen für Epson Perfection 4990

www.epson.de

Pick Linux and it brings a page with a "Linux Downloads" line to click, that expands to a text "Linux drivers are available for some Epson products. Please click the link below to check for drivers for your product." so click "Anzeigen" and you are sent to ...

https://download-center.epson.com

if looking for epsonscan2 Linux software it will not be found from main sites but here:

https://support.epson.net/linux/en/epsonscan2.php

binaries are meant for .deb and .rpm distributions. The source is provided, but compilation on a recent non .deb nor .rpm Linux system chokes on some boost c++ library. Epson never cared much about Linux niche.

 

[geirtbr]

Regarding drivers, i agree with what has been said about Epson, the native scanning program is good.
For older scanners that use USB, and if you are on a mac, you have the option of running a virtual machine and route the USB port directly to the virtual machine, running windows XP for example. You can then run the scanner with native drivers from windows XP.
(At least, this works on older mac with older USB ports, maybe its changed on the newer ones without such ports).

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Regarding drivers, i agree with what has been said about Epson, the native scanning program is good.
For older scanners that use USB, and if you are on a mac, you have the option of running a virtual machine and route the USB port directly to the virtual machine, running windows XP for example. You can then run the scanner with native drivers from windows XP.
(At least, this works on older mac with older USB ports, maybe its changed on the newer ones without such ports).

There's a separate program for MAC. I believe it's called Epsonscan2 as opposed to Epsonscan for Windows operating systems. Check the Epson site to install the app that best would work with your computer.