Epson Perfection 4990 Photo Scanner

by Epson

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 23 x 16 x 10 inches ; 20 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 20 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0007Y79GC
• Item model number: B11B175012
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #12 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Printers & Scanners > Slide & Film Scanners
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 7, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

With the image quality of a dedicated film scanner, plus the flexibility of a flatbed scanner all in one affordable product, the Epson Perfection 4990 Photo delivers a total digital scanning solution. This powerful performer scans multiple slides simultaneously, as well as negatives and photos. And, with its built-in transparency unit, it accommodates film up to 8 by 10 inches.

Features:

• Scan images with precision quality and detail. Get superior results with 4,800 x 9,600 dpi resolution.
• Get high-quality scans, even from negatives and transparencies. 48-bit color depth and up to 4.0 Dmax provide smooth gradations and intricate shadow detail.
• Automatically correct an image when scanning damaged film and photos. DIGITAL ICE technology automatically corrects dust and scratches on film; plus tears, folds or creases on photos.
• Scan transparencies as large as 8x10. The built-in transparency unit with moving light source can batch scan up to 24 35mm negatives. The scanner provides an illuminated scan progress indicator as part of its sleek design.
• Automatically restore faded color photos. Innovative Epson Easy Photo Fix technology offers automatic color restoration and dust removal features.
• Speed through every scan. The scanner includes Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and FireWire (IEEE 1394) connectivity.

Easy Photo Fix Technology

Housed in a sleek outer case with an illuminated scan progress indicator, this scanner delivers intricate detail, due to an astounding 4,800 x 9,600 dpi resolution, 48-bit color depth, and 4.0 Dmax. And, it easily restores faded or damaged film and photos with Epson Easy Photo Fix and Digital Ice technology. Additional software includes Adobe Photoshop Elements, LaserSoft Imaging SilverFast SE 6, and ABBYY FineReader Sprint OCR.

What's in the Box
Epson Perfection 4990 Photo scanner, 8x10 transparency adapter (built into scanner lid), four film holders (35mm slides, 35mm film strips, medium format, and 4x5); 8x10 film area guide, CD-ROM with Epson installation software and reference guide, CD-ROM with Adobe Photoshop Elements, CD-ROM with LaserSoft Imaging SilverFast SE 6, USB 2.0 cable, setup poster, scanner quick guide

Product Description

Box includes Epson Perfection 4990 scanner, quickstart guide, power cord, Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0, scanner software, USB 2.0 Hi-speed cable and 4 Film holders. The Epson Perfection 4990 Photo is an ideal tool for the professional photographers and enthusiast. This high-performance scanning solution can handle all standard film and photo formats, restore torn or damaged originals and deliver stunning quality scans. Printing, enlarging or archiving is simple, and with its 4.0DMax optical density and the large 8 x 10" film adapter, users have the flexibility to to scan multiple film formats and in large volumes. The increidble 4800 x 9600dpi resolution retains the quality and color of your originals. Supports USB 1.1 and 2.0, FireWire Humidity - 10% to 80% without condensation (Operating) Dimensions(WxDxH) - 11.9 x 18.75 x 5.28 (304 x 476 x 134 mm) Weight - (6.7kg)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

200 of 203 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars RIGHT from the start - WRONG after a few years, May 5, 2005

By 

Arthur K. Yellin "dinosaurus13" (Olney, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Epson Perfection 4990 Photo Scanner (Office Product)

Seldom have I been so pleased with a purchase at the start and SO disappointed after a few years!

UNLIKE the Microtek scanner I previously owned that gave me nothing but aggravation from the git-go, I loaded the software, plugged the Epson 4990 in with the included USB cable and, using Photoshop as the platform, IMMEDIATELY scanned an 8 x 10 page of medium format negatives successfully. Eyeballing the colors, I did not think ANY correction was needed. I had NO PROBLEMS loading the software or with anything else.

I subsequently read the CD contained instructions and found that I had failed to use the 8 x 10 transparent media placement guide. It worked ANYWAY!

This scanner is particularly suited for "serious" amateur and professional photographers. It comes with negative holders for 35mm, 120 and 4 x 5 sheet film. In addition, as noted above, it will also scan the whole 8 x 10 inch area so you can do proof sheets from your transparent negative file pages.

I also scanned a music CD cover and liner, using Photoshop to convert the liner to black and white, and a 4 x 6 color photo. The scanner worked perfectly on all. The resolution of the four to six point type of the CD liner was crisp. This was a scan as a reflective image and NOT using OCR software.

Since I wrote my original review, I have had an opportunity to try the scanner with Caere OCR software. The 4990 did a spectacualr job of reading some old documents. It only had problems with type that was over a severe fold in the paper or obscured by marks from the very old photocopying processes. This is to be expected.

A little less than five years after I bought this scanner and having used the "transparent media adapter" (TMA) just a few times, the TMA DIED. The TMA, and capability to scan four 4X5 sheets of film simultaneously was my primary reason for purchasing this then top of the line scanner. Since the scanner was long out of warranty, I took it at my expense to an authorized Epson repair facility for diagnosis. A part that held the pulley in place for the TMA light source had BROKEN OFF within the TMA. I was advised that it could NOT be repaired. I contacted Epson customer support who told me I would need to buy a COMPLETE new TMA unit.

Not only was Epson not willing to sell directly to me (instead, I would have needed to buy through an authorized repair facility and pay them a fee or commission for their "trouble" in placing the part order - NO installation is required for this part), but Epson was also asking the full list price for the part, almost $300!

I felt that I was not treated with respect as a "valuable customer" by Epson. They lost a long time loyal repeat customer!

Incidentally, after some research, I bought an HP G4050 photo scanner, complete with TMA, for less than $200! It cannot handle FOUR 4X5 negatives at one time; only two at a time, but it works well, was brand new with full warranty for less than the cost of the replacement Epson TMA AND I like the scanning software better!

86 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice colors. Good software. Great scanner for a variety of film, October 10, 2005

By 

Mr. Ditto - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Epson Perfection 4990 Photo Scanner (Office Product)

This is a nice scanner. BE CAREFUL to UNLOCK BOTH transportation locks!! Epson should really put an electronic kill switch for those who mess up here. I skimmed the instructions since I've set up numerous previous machines and unlocked one lock but not the upper lock. Ooops! Luckily the machine doesn't seem to be damaged.

The scans from 4x5 film are fantastic. Make sure to use a fair amount of unsharp masking in Photoshop when done scanning. I've used 200%, Radius 2.0, Threshold 1 to extract more detail. When doing this, it is difficult to distinguish the result between the 4990 and that of an expensive drum scanner.

A scan from a 35mm negative is much better than I expected. I've made 8x10 prints from a scanned 35mm negative and it looks very very good.

Scans needed minimal color correction which is a great time saver. I'm quite impressed with SilverFast SE which is bundled with the scanner.

The film holders could be better as they are a bit flimsy.

65 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Epson 4990 Photo Scanner, March 21, 2006

By 

Gary L. Strong "Ponyblanket" (Portland, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Epson Perfection 4990 Photo Scanner (Office Product)

I needed a machine to scan my collection of transparencies and color negatives. This model seemed to have what was needed. After loading the software, I began with Monaco EZ color and ran the calibrations and created the profiles for transparencies and reflective prints; this was fast and fun. I was surprised with the closely matching results.

The sharpness was very good; it was so sharp that I needed the Digital ICE software to remove dust and scratches. This ICE is incredible! Takes longer to scan, but is much quicker than cloning out all the artifacts. There is no loss of sharpness.

I found the provided film holders to really work well with the automated batch system. All is square and cropped.

I have scanned printer's film and the original halftone dots held; that's sharp!

Color negatives were more of a challenge; this is normal for scanning input. A gray card or gray item in the picture helps as you can click on the preview with a tool to make the gray neutral; "click!" and the color snaps bright and clean!

The software can be used several ways, with a Photoshop compatible plug-in, and several stand alone methods. It does fine with no special skills or Silverfast Ai has sophisticated controls for the adventuresome.

This machine is for ALL users! Kids, photographers of all levels, and professionals in the graphic arts. I am a drum scanner, photographer, and pixel artist; this unit and software please me a lot.