Scan Quality of Epson 4990 and 8x10 compared to 4x5 - ? Sweet Spot

[Michael Heald]

Hello! I've been using the 4990 for 4x5 with good results. I've picked up an 8x10 to try my hand at some alternative processes. I imagine that I may end up with some 8x10s that I'll want to enlarge.

I've read that the 4990 can scan 8x10 and some have indicated excellenet scans in the 2x ballpark, or even larger.

I've read that some folks feel that there is a sweet spot in a scanner, as well. Does the 4990 scan an entire 8x10 equally well or is there a sweet spot, so that parts of the negative would not be scanned well? Best regards.

Mike

[Frank Petronio]

While I am sure there is a sweet spot, I never noticed with my 2-3x 8x10 scans. But I don't do huge wide angle cloudless skies either.

[Brian Ellis]

I occasionally scan an 8x10 b&w negative on my 4990 along with the more common 4x5s. I never noticed a "sweet spot," it seems to do a good job with them. You presumably have the little 8x10 negative guide thingy that's included with the 4990. I assume that's intended to keep the negative in its optimum position though you can scan without it if you want.