From many competent posts we know the highlights and limits of the Epson 700/800 scanner series.
So I dont want here more resolution- , filmholder- or else-tests but anwers to a simple general question:

What features should a universal (all film formats from 135,120 and sheetfilm) filmscanner have?

For me from the today marketed scanners the epon 700/800 series scanner is the only real candidat for that label,
but is not perfect. Why not? I my view a universal filmscanner should have these features:

1.FILMFORMAT from 135, 120 and sheetfilm up to 8x10.
I personally have to scan ULFilms but prefer stitching from 8x10 than going to a 30x40cm/DIN A3 scanner like the Epson 12000XL (which is a perfect device).

2.FILMHOLDERS that can hold the film flat.
The (newer) Epson AN glass-filmholder for me are perfect but should take larger filmstripes and maybe 5x7 film. The Wet-Mounting-Filmholder is a good addition.

3.If 2. is given for me no AUTOFOCUS is necessary.

4.Real net SCANRESULUTION of 3200 dpi for all filmformats out of the device.
I know the highend-filmscanners make up to 4000 dpi for 135 and 120 film, but not for sheet film.
And for sheetfilmers often 2000 dpi is enough.
But I want here an universal filmscanner: and (around) 3200 dpi would be good for all real world (not testcharts) filmformats.
I dont think that 4000 dpi is technical possible for 8x10`/20x30cm devices.

5. ICC DUST-REDUCTION technic YES.
Thats why I gave up my drumscanners for sheetfilm, because manual dustcleaning in post can takes hours if you want i perfect.

6.For SOFTWARE a "professional mode" that
does not cut off highlights and shadows for "crisper" scans, something like rawscans which are "softer and muddy" with much room in gradation and colors for the post.

7.48BIT SCANNING and output therefore would be fine, but does the epson really scan CCD 48bit intern? I dont know.


Second Part:
Why does the Epson 700/800 match or fail your expectations for universal filmscanner?

For me (and many other people) the most critical point is:
Why does the real/net resultion output of about 2400 dpi from filmholder (or 2200 dpi from groundglass) not match the technical given optical resultion of 6400 dpi or 4800 dpi. Is it really only the scan-optic or the whole scan-technic. I dont know ....

And my last question to the technical specialists and gurus:
Is there a real possibility, to technical upgrade the Epson 700/800 series to an universal scanner with the features we want here.
And will the price stay affordable?

regards
Rainer