The Epson V500 does scan 4x5's

dwdmguy · Oct 24, 2009

Just thought I'd let those that did not know this, as I've seen the question a few places, that the Epson V500 does indeed scan 4x5 neg's and E6.

I ran into a 4x5 holder for the V700 and used it. You can make one as well.
FWIW.

Tony-S · Oct 24, 2009

I've been thinking about making one as well. The scan window of the v500 is only about 3.5" wide, so do you scan one edge, then the other, then use photostitching software to join them into one image?

dwdmguy · Oct 24, 2009

Tony-S said:
I've been thinking about making one as well. The scan window of the v500 is only about 3.5" wide, so do you scan one edge, then the other, then use photostitching software to join them into one image?

Tony, the scanner plate I have holds two 4x5's. They are directly in the middle of the plate and both are scanned with one pass on the V500.

Tony-S · Oct 24, 2009

That's great news. Can this be bought, or did you have to fab it yourself? If the latter, would you mind sharing its specs?

TIA.

pellicle · Oct 25, 2009

to be honest you would do better to get the betterscanning 4x5 holder and put that on the plate than buy one from the Epson series

dwdmguy · Oct 25, 2009

pellicle said:
to be honest you would do better to get the betterscanning 4x5 holder and put that on the plate than buy one from the Epson series

Mine was given to my by a widow. But you can buy them. I would start as mentioned above with betterscanning.com and if not go to the Epson site.

Tony-S · Oct 25, 2009

Is this the BetterScanning 4x5 adapter that you're talking about? Also, I remeasured the scanning window on the lid of my v500 and it is 3.5" wide. How can you get a 4" scan from this?? Thanks.

pellicle · Oct 25, 2009

Tony

the specs say it will do 6x12 medium format ... that's long enough so it might just sneak it in.. and yes that was the film holder.

dwdmguy ... personally I've found epson's after market prices dear as poision for holders ... and its not hard to fabricate a holder youself from a picture frame matte

Tony-S · Oct 25, 2009

OK, thanks.

Another question, on the Epson scanners (such as the v500) is the window in the lid the sensor for the film? Or is it a light source for the sensor in the main chassis?

pellicle · Oct 26, 2009

Tony-S said:
on the Epson scanners (such as the v500) is the window in the lid the sensor for the film? Or is it a light source for the sensor in the main chassis?

light source ... film sits in holder atop glass

donbga · Oct 26, 2009

dwdmguy said:
Just thought I'd let those that did not know this, as I've seen the question a few places, that the Epson V500 does indeed scan 4x5 neg's and E6.

I ran into a 4x5 holder for the V700 and used it. You can make one as well.
FWIW.

The V500 is not a 4x5 scanner and you are misleading others who might think that it is.

Lets be clear and make sure everyone understands that stitching is required to make the V500 work with 4x5 film.

Tony-S · Oct 27, 2009

If I understand what he's saying, it's that the v500 can do 4x5 scans even though the illumination window is 3.5" wide. Hopefully this can be verified?

donbga · Oct 27, 2009

Tony-S said:
If I understand what he's saying, it's that the v500 can do 4x5 scans even though the illumination window is 3.5" wide. Hopefully this can be verified?

It can't scan 4x5 in a single pass. It has to be done in two parts and then stitched together.

The V500 isn't a 4x5 scanner.

Don

Tony-S · Oct 27, 2009

But his post #3 specifically states it scans 4x5 in one pass.:confused:

donbga · Oct 27, 2009

Tony-S said:
But his post #3 specifically states it scans 4x5 in one pass.:confused:

That's why I chimed in to correct an inaccurate statement. I will say it again, the V500 is not a 4x5 scanner and can't scan a 4x5 in one pass.

Don

Doug Fisher · Oct 27, 2009

Tony, what are your 4x5 image dimensions? The ones in front of me are close to 3.75" wide (which is the most narrow dimension), so I am curious how you are scanning your 4x5 in one pass since you are quoting 3.5" to start. Also, are you really getting a full 3.5 " image out of your scan or did you just measure the clear portion of the gap in the lid of the scanner to come up with that number? In my experience, between the scanner hardware limitations and software limitations, I have never seen people obtaining a full 3.5" from that scanner. Maybe something changed with a recent software release, so that is why I am asking. Don is right that we need some solid confirmation to make sure people won't be ordering these scanners just to find out they cannot scan 4x5 in one pass.

Doug

Tony-S · Oct 27, 2009

I haven't scanned any 4x5 negs with my v500. I was hoping that I could (in one pass), which is why I was following this thread. The OP is claiming that he can scan 4x5 negs in one pass.

pellicle · Oct 29, 2009

Folks

as I don't have a V-500 I was unwilling to say yea or nay here ... I think that it behoves dwdmguy to verify this ... the specs seem against it, but who knows?

As I mentioned the length seems to be within its reach, perhaps he's willing to accept some edge loss? Perhaps he also does pano's on a single sheet? *(something which I do with a half darkslide)

Tony-S · Oct 31, 2009

OK, so I did a 4x5 today and the scanner appears to only do 2.75" maximum. the 5" axis is fine, but it seems that two scans and a stitch are needed to get the entire image.

pellicle · Nov 1, 2009

Tony-s

thanks for clearing that up ... I must say that the aspect ratio of that is quite appealing

its also a nice portrait, would you mind posting the particulars?
focal length
lens f stop

thanks

Tony-S · Nov 1, 2009

It's my FIL. The shot was taken yesterday in Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park (Colorado). Corona 4x5 with a Schneider 210mm f/6.3 lens (Copal shutter). 1/100" at f/11. Ilford Delta 100 at ISO 100, processed in Rodinal 1:50. I didn't spend much time on the scan - just a quick adjustment of the levels, usm and contrast (and dust removal).

pellicle · Nov 1, 2009

Tony

thanks for that ... I was thinking something like 180mm at about f11 but wasn't sure

lovely

Tony-S · Nov 1, 2009

Here's the photostitch of the negative. Looks like I have some developing tank issues to deal with. A closer inspection of the other 9 negatives from this run shows some of them have this same problem.

pellicle · Nov 2, 2009

Tony

re the developing issues, I moved to BTZS tubes about 2 years ago after some were donated to me ... having used them now I will say that I would buy them at twice the price I spent on my Jobo 2500 series drum system

luckilly you'll find them on ebay for nearly nothing

go wild!

EDIT: I just checked ebay ... they sell new for 149 with the water bath for temperature control. Given they have no complex hangers or mounting system, are dead easy to use and you'll save on chemistry; I think for monochrome they are the best thing since sliced bread!

The Epson V500 does scan 4x5's

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