EPson 10000XL scanner , any experience?

[Ed Burlew]

I just found out that Epson has an A3 size scanner that will scan 8x10 negs and trans easily. Has any one used one of these/ And what is it like? I am drawn to the fact that it scans bigger than 8x10 meaning that the 8x10 can be scanned accurately. I want to do mo=derate enlargements suitable for an Epson 4000 to output for general usage. If tha trans is very fine then I would go to a pro to have it drum scanned.

On another note has anyone used the Imacon for scanning 4x5 trans?

[mark blackman]

Don't know about the 1000, but it's not cheap at £2000 for the pro model. The much cheaper 4990 can handle 10x8 film and is perfect for what you want. Like you, I turn to a drum scan if I want that extra Dmax, but for well exposed transparency with no deep shadows I find the 4990 more than adaquate. The film holder that comes with it for 5x4 is better than the one with the older 2450 scanner, it holds the film tightly on all 4 sides, and can take two sheets at a time.

[Ed Burlew]

I Know the price is substantial but not out of reach. I know the under $1,000.00 scanners do not do the job, mainly because the scanning size is 8x10. To scan flat bed correctly the scanning area has to be larger thatn the transparency. I am not interested in someone scoffing me and saying I am paying too much. I am interested in the experience with the performance of this particular pair of scanners.

[Will Strain]

I have used the immediate precourser to this scanner - it was just fine when using Silverfast (seemed a little soft with the regular epson software).

The bed was well covered, with only a minor hotspot in the upper right corner - easily avoided.

I found ours to be sharpest at 1200dpi. And I didn't have any need to go above that regardless (for 8x10 transparencies).

--

Also used an Imacon Flextight 949 with some frequency. (For 4x5in and 6x7cm) It was pretty nice. Did good things with dense negs. Slower than the big fuji flatbed we used most, but I preferred the Imacon personally. Wish I had the cash for one of those to take home with me.

[mark blackman]

The scanning area of the 4990 is A4 size, larger than 10x8.