Epson 4870 --- Pro -vs- Regular

[Guest]

My old flatbed is on its last legs.

I am thinking of getting the Epson 4870
as a replacement.

For an extra $150, one can get the Pro
version, which is the same scanner with
the following extra software:

LaserSoft SilverFast Ai 6 (reg comes with SE 6).
Monaco EZcolor,
ArcSoft PhotoBase
ArcSoft PhotoStudio
ArcSoft PanaoramaMaker.

Is this software worth the extra $150? Would
Photoshop and Vuescan be better?

Thanks in advance,

 

[-]

The scanner comes with Photoshop Elements 2.0 which is a good program by
itself. The full version of Photoshop would be nice to get but it is quite
expensive to upgrade.

In my opinion, the first two programs you listed are the ones that make the
Pro bundle valuable. Neither of these software packages will be of much
value unless you are the type that enjoys learning software. They are
complex and aren't of much value if you are the type who hates to spend time
really learning a program. Whether Silverfast Ai is better than Vuescan is
up to personal preference. The Silverfast interface and documentation are
easier to learn and use in most people's experience. Monaco can be a great
tool but be warned that many people find you still need to do some tweaking
of their scans, so don't expect it to deliver absolute perfection on its
own.

Doug

 

[David Chien]

My old flatbed is on its last legs.

I am thinking of getting the Epson 4870
as a replacement.

Is this software worth the extra $150? Would
Photoshop and Vuescan be better?

Only if you don't have it and need -- but keep in mind that Arcsoft
software is very cheap (see www.ebay.com) and not worth over $30 at the
very most.

As for profiling, don't know what everyone else is spending $$$$ on,
but LittleCMS + Wolf Faust's dirt-cheap color test target works great on
my Epson 1200S

http://www.littlecms.com/profilers.htm
http://www.targets.coloraid.de/

Baby got locked down and scans great w/o further $$$$$ spent...

----

As for the scanner, you really will be spending quite a few $$$$ on
the 4870, and unless you're doing MF transparencies, you can get away
with a far cheaper Epson 1660 Photo refurb'd (Fry's Electronics for
$59!) for flatbed scans and/or add even a Minolta Scan Dual IV for far
superior 35mm scans.

Honestly, it's not worth it, IMO, to spend the ~$400 on the 4870
because it really won't get you anything more vs. an Epson 1660 +
Minolta Scan Dual IV at the same price.

(Cheaper actually, with the Scan Dual IV at $265 at shopper.com + $59
Epson 1660 Photo...)

----

See full multi-page review here, esp. the comparison vs. a 2700dpi
Nikon Slide scanner (the Minolta has 3200dpi and will do even better
than either):

http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Epson 4870/page_7.htm