Might be time for a new scanner?

When I turned my Epson 4870 on, the light blinked red and it made a high pitched whine. Occasionally, it's sounded like it's scanning, but I'll just get a blank file (only happens when scanning film so far). I've had it since 2004 and it's scanned over 3000 files so I don't expect it to last forever.
If/when it dies, what would be the practical differences between the V700 and V750? I'm not really interested in wet mounting at this point. I also am not looking for something that will produce a file that will yield a billboard sized image. In addition to prints and negatives, I frequently have to scan papers for my husband and make them into pdfs. I read one review of the 700 that indicated they couldn't do this (don't know if it was them or the software). Most of the photos I scan are destined to just be shown on the web. Some will have prints made, but usually not larger than 11x14 (way more at 4x6 for scrapbooking).
I'd possibly fix the 4870, but that can still only last so long.

In theory there is some anti reflective coatings making the V750 a little more optically capable than the V700. In practical terms I understand they are pretty comparable in terms of what you can achieve with either. The V750 is mostly about a more expensive software bundle. Since both give you Epson Scan which is the easiest way to get good looking results quickly with the device I would say, just get the V700. Sounds like even HP G4050 may suit your needs for half the price.

Sam

The V700/750 can make pdfs at the touch of a button. Use the free Epson Copy Utility. Great machines, very capable. Maybe overkill if ultimate image quality isn't important to you.

Sam, I hadn't even considered other brands. Maybe I should look around more. I currently use Epson Scan anyway and have the software I need, so any bundle wouldn't matter.
Even if it's overkill now, I might want better capability in a few years. I originally bought a Beseler 23CIII thinking I'd be sticking with MF and no bigger than 11x14. I now have it and a 45MX. I blame APUG. There's also a chance I'll be moving to somewhere I won't be able to have a darkroom for awhile. In that case, I may want to make better prints from scans.

winger said:

Sam, I hadn't even considered other brands. Maybe I should look around more. I currently use Epson Scan anyway and have the software I need, so any bundle wouldn't matter.

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I've heard people are happy with the Canon, but I have read enough to suggest that the Epsons are the sweet spot in between serious flatbeds (like Creo) and lower end "stuff".

How is Canon 9900F for 4x5 scans? [Archive] - Large Format Photography Forum

"when you're on a good thing ... stick to it"

did you get your Epson 4870 going?

Have you checked the performance in the two transparency settings in professional mode of Epson Scan? Have you checked cables? Is the hood unit lighting? (lift the lid a little and look)

I prefer my 4870 over my 4990, but that could be product variation. Personally I'll be going for the 700 when my 4870 kicks the bucket. I have no desire to get into the wet mounting ;-)

It did still work to scan the other day. It mostly does work, it's just glitching occasionally. Any time I check, it works fine. And it either scans as expected or totally scans nothing - at least it doesn't do a half-assed job. Though there's enough dust and such built up under the glass that taking it apart and cleaning it might be warranted if I don't replace it.
Considering it's been moved to four different places and is almost 9 years old, I'd say I likely have gotten my money's worth from it.

In Epson scan for this one, I get to choose when I hit the scan button what type of file it will save as. If I choose pdf, after each page it asks if I want to edit, save, or add more pages. Is it different when using the V700? 'Cause it's pretty dang easy with the 4870. And overall, I think I currently do more of that than scanning photos 'cause hubby needs most of his military stuff (orders and stuff he's signed) scanned so he can send it down to his staff.

Epson Copy Utility is a tiny utility that boots instantly and only does simple photocopy/pdf tasks. Couldn't be quicker or easier.

I don't know if this will be of any help but it won't hurt. I have a 4870 of similar vintage used with SilverFast Studio. A few times it has acted up and I trashed the "preferences". When it restarted it worked perfectly. I don't use Epson Scan but you might try my suggestion or maybe reinstall the software.

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winger said:

Considering it's been moved to four different places and is almost 9 years old, I'd say I likely have gotten my money's worth from it.

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In Epson scan for this one, I get to choose when I hit the scan button what type of file it will save as. If I choose pdf, after each page it asks if I want to edit, save, or add more pages. Is it different when using the V700?

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if you're on a PC, have a look at Irfanview as a product. Its quite good (and free) and has an excellent copy shop built into it. I've been a fan of it for years and been impressed with the iterative improvements of the product.

It also allows you to save as PDF, or you could scan as multipage tiff and print that to PDF.

I use a Mac. But I've never really looked at other software for running it. When I first got it, SilverFast wouldn't run on the PC I had then (it was a haunted PC), then stuff besides EpsonScan wouldn't run on Mac, so I learned to like EpsonScan and do any adjusting in PS.

Just for the record (cos you use a Mac this is irrelevant to you) irfanview does not drive the scanner any more than Photoshop does. It still uses Epson scan. It just happens to provide a simpler light weight shell to do most scanning functions without having to fire up Photoshop.