Glass negative holders for Epson 4990

Jimi3 · Jun 20, 2023

I recently started scanning 35mm, 120, and 4x5 on an old Epson 4990 using vuescan, and I got all of the original negative holders out of storage. But, I’d like to be able to include the film’s edges in my scans - the holders in effect crop those out. I’m also experimenting with exposing strips of 35mm in 4x5 film holders - for scanning those, I need to hold down three strips of 35mm film at a time, with no separation between them.

So I’m hoping there’s something like an 8x10 glass holder out there that I can sandwich my various negatives in. It would even make my 6x7 and 6x9 neg scans easier, as I’m finding the Epson’s 120 holder awkward. Any ideas?

_T_ · Jun 20, 2023

betterscanning.com used to sell something like what you’re looking for.

It looks like they no longer offer a model that can handle 8x10 but they have a model that can handle 5x7 that’s compatible with your scanner.

I’ve never purchased from them so I can’t recommend the product and it looks like their website is not secure so please proceed with caution.

Jimi3 · Jun 20, 2023

_T_ said:
betterscanning.com used to sell something like what you’re looking for.

It looks like they no longer offer a model that can handle 8x10 but they have a model that can handle 5x7 that’s compatible with your scanner.

I’ve never purchased from them so I can’t recommend the product and it looks like their website is not secure so please proceed with caution.

Thanks. So those would sandwich the negatives between two pieces of glass, right? If so, it looks like the 5x7 would do what I need.

koraks · Jun 21, 2023

You could 'just' get two pieces of glass, one with an AN surface (the other can be plain glass). Fit/tape them together in whatever creative way you fancy (book binder's tape will likely work OK) and suspend the sandwich above the platen of your 4990. Use shims; perhaps experiment a bit with optimal height and then 3d print some 'feet'.

Not necessarily better than any ready-made solution, but might be more accessible, flexible and likely cheaper. Although AN glass tends to be pricey.

_T_ · Jun 22, 2023

Jimi3 said:
Thanks. So those would sandwich the negatives between two pieces of glass, right? If so, it looks like the 5x7 would do what I need.

That is my understanding, although I’m not sure if maybe the ANR glass is an optional upgrade or something like that. I would read the descriptions very carefully and not go by what I say.

Like I said I don’t personally have any experience with the product, but I have heard good things.

Patrick Robert James · Jun 22, 2023

I typically scan things like that straight on the glass and put a piece of plexi I got at a Home Depot that is anti-glare I found in the framing glass section. Works perfectly easy. I even scan Minox this way. If you are going to make big prints though then right on the glass might be slightly out of focus, and I do mean slightly. You'd be better off wet mounting under a piece of glass to eek out every tiny bit of resolution. But for a 4990 right on the glass should be fine.

Jimi3 · Jun 23, 2023

I think the better scanning website says the 4990 holders position the film 1mm above the scanner glass, so I think I’ll try getting some glass (or acrylic?) at that thickness. It looks like ANR glass is indeed quite expensive - I’m assuming the idea is to use it as the piece that contacts the scanner glass, right?

koraks · Jun 24, 2023

Jimi3 said:
I’m assuming the idea is to use it as the piece that contacts the scanner glass, right?

No, contacting the shiny side of the film, particularly 35mm, to prevent newton rings. With some films like Kodak Tmax you might need two AN surfaces due to the smoothness of the emulsion layer.
I'd recommend to leave a small air gap between the scanner's platen and your own glass to prevent scratching.

Glass negative holders for Epson 4990

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Glass negative holders for Epson 4990

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