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New Epson 4990 Scanners Announced

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It's a good thing I waited to replace my 3200...

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Jan. 12, 2004 – Epson America Inc.’s newest flatbed scanners offer enhanced productivity and performance for photographers, graphic designers and other professionals by offering a higher DMax for greater dynamic range and a larger transparency unit than its predecessor models.

The EPSON Perfection 4990 PHOTO and EPSON Perfection 4990 PRO scanners both have a versatile built-in 8”x10"transparency unit (TPU) with a moving carriage and lamp optimized for film scans for quality rarely seen in a consumer-level scanner. The TPU is almost 50 percent larger than the predecessor models. It includes film holders that support eight 35mm mounted slides, four 35mm film strips up to 24 frames, three to six medium format frames or two 4"x 5"frames. It also has an 8"x 10"guide for transparencies and proof sheets without film holders, allowing for a larger volume of negative scanning.

Both models deliver high resolution and excellent image quality. They offer a maximum hardware resolution of 4800 x 9600 dpi, 48-bit color and up to 4.0 Dmax for true-to-life color accuracy and the ability to capture minute image detail. The Perfection 4990 scanner uses Epson’s unique ColorTrue II Imaging System, providing customers with a technology that integrates superior hardware, optics and image processing to achieve accurate color reproduction and reduced noise.

The Perfection 4990 PHOTO and PRO scanners include valuable and time-saving image-editing tools, such as hardware DIGITAL ICE advanced image restoration technology from Kodak/ASF. This technology automatically repairs physical defects like scratches, tears, and bends as well as dust from a scanned image from both film and prints for a clean, sharp image. It also includes Epson’s exclusive Easy Photo Fix technology for color restoration and dust removal to automaticallyrestore faded and damaged color photographs, slides or negatives with the simple touch of a button. The combination of these technologies allows graphic artists and photographers to recover photos and film in almost any condition.

Both scanner models include a new scan progress indicator, as well as Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connectivity. All bundled software is compatible with Macintosh OS X 10.2.x to OS X 10.3.x.

More About DIGITAL ICE Technology

DIGITAL ICE Technology differentiates itself from software-only solutions because it does not soften, blur or otherwise alter any underlying details or composition of the original image. Instead, the patented DIGITAL ICE Technology works from within the scanner, during the scanning process, to provide users with a clear, authentic base image that improves the original image, which saves the customer time and alleviates frustration.

More about EPSON Easy Photo Fix Technology

The Epson Easy Photo Fix technology provides customers with an easy one-touch solution for restoring color to old photographs, negatives and slides, and removing dust from old slides and negatives. Customers simply scan an image and click on a check box for instant color restoration or dust removal. Epson Easy Photo Fix makes this process effortless since it is incorporated into the Epson Scan driver. The software has three different user modes: Full Auto mode, which automatically scans at pre-determined settings for entry-level users; Home mode, which offers some pre-set recommended settings for the advanced amateur; and Professional mode, which is completely manual to give the advanced user more control.

Software Bundle with the Perfection 4990 PHOTO

The Perfection 4990 PHOTO scanner includes an advanced software bundle with Automatic, Home and Professional modes for all user skill levels. The software bundle includes:

·LaserSoft Imaging SilverFast SE 6
·Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0
·ABBYY FineReader Sprint OCR
·EPSON Scan with Easy Photo Fix

Software Bundle with the Perfection 4990 PRO

The Perfection 4990 PRO includes a robust software package that makes this scanner the complete digital imaging solution. Included with this model are the following titles:

·LaserSoft Imaging SilverFast Ai 6
·MonacoEZcolor 2.5
·ArcSoft PhotoStudio, ArcSoft PhotoBase and ArcSoft Panorama Maker
·Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0
·ABBYY FineReader Sprint OCR
·EPSON Scan with Easy Photo Fix

Availability and Support

The Perfection 4990 PHOTO and 4990 PRO will be available in early March for estimated street prices of $449 and $599, respectively. Both scanners can be purchased through Epson authorized dealers, consumer electronic stores, mail order, distribution and on the Epson Store Web site (www.epsonstore.com).Carrying a one-year limited warranty, the EPSON Perfection 4990 scanners are supported by the EPSON Connection, a fully-automated customer support and technical assistance line. For more information on Epson and its products, call 1-800-GO-EPSON (1-800-463-7766) or visit the Epson website at www.epson.com.
 
I'll be interested to see what sort of test results this scanner gets from neutral observers. Obviously, we won't see such reviews in the major photographic magazines, but I am sure that there will be some more or less objective test results on the web before long--if they aren't already available.
 
Question from the non digitally inclined - does this mean a good film scanner for 8x10 negs and transparancies for only $599?
 
Tom Duffy said:
Question from the non digitally inclined - does this mean a good film scanner for 8x10 negs and transparancies for only $599?

Good is a relative term. Reasonable for the cost, perhaps. If you want a good scanner for 8x10 then you might try a Heidelberg Tango (~$40k ? SWAG).
 
well, I don't have an 8x10 enlarger. I'm thinking that an 8x10 neg doesn't need to be enlarged much, so a flatbed scan might be better than a 4x5 scan from dedicated film scanner.
Finally, a scanner that would handle all my 5x7s and 8x10s would allow me to post some stuff, for a change. :smile:
 
I think I will follow Dave's idea and wait 6 months. I think and 8x10 scanner would be great to proof negatives, but not $500 great.... :smile:
 
This looks potentially interesting - particularly for 5x7 and 8x10 users. While this scanner isn't likely to replace drum scans when that level of quality is required, it may well be perfectly suitable for other, less-demanding tasks (e.g. web versions).

One side benefit of the 8x10 film scan area is for making scans of full PrintFile pages of smaller formats. While not "real" contact prints, they're quick and useful for reference purposes. I'm currently using an old Epson Expression 800 Pro for that purpose, along with a 3200 for 4x5 and a Polaroid Sprintscan 120 for 35mm and 120. Whether the 4990 might replace that depends on how they've arranged the 8x10 unit. If it's a drawer-like arrangement, similar to some of the older combo units, it likely wouldn't take the acetate sheets.
 
Tom Duffy said:
well, I don't have an 8x10 enlarger. I'm thinking that an 8x10 neg doesn't need to be enlarged much, so a flatbed scan might be better than a 4x5 scan from dedicated film scanner.
Finally, a scanner that would handle all my 5x7s and 8x10s would allow me to post some stuff, for a change. :smile:

Don't get me wrong, it isn't a bad idea. I'm going to get a 3200 myself, but will mainly use it for posting images as well as creating a flash based marketing portfolio.
 
Hmmmmmmm......599 dollars. That is a heck of a lot film, paper, and chemicals. Yep lots better to do with 599 dollars. At least in my book.

Tom, can't you post a contact print?
 
Does it come in an analog version?
 
Yeah, there's an analog version, but it puts out images like this--

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[/size]

[original image here--http://www.echonyc.com/~goldfarb/photo/ng2003.jpg]
 
You appear to have a streak in your analog scanner, David. :wink:
 
Must be one of the keys sticking. Maybe it's bent or needs to be cleaned and oiled.
 
Gotta love ya David. I was thinking more like a chisel and mallet used on stone. You brought this dinasour up to the punch card era.
 
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