Epson 4180 - Neg and Slides

[do$feratu]

Just got the scanner and have started playing around with it.

One question, why does the medium format film holder have a
translucent cover and the slide and negative holders don't?

And does this mean that I will not be able to scan medium format
negs, only transparencies?

 

[-]

The thing you called a "cover" is meant to act as a diffuser to spread the
light out more evenly and farther toward the edges. Some people don't feel
that it is necessary and take it off (they prefer the slightly increased
intensity). Other find it to be a necessity. Test for yourself to find
which fits your own requirements. You can scan medium format negatives with
this holder as well as unmounted transparencies. See the electronic manual
for more details.

Doug

 

[Elwood Dowd]

One question, why does the medium format film holder have a
translucent cover and the slide and negative holders don't?

It is a secondary diffuser to spread light evenly to all sides of the
frame. Otherwise, the cold cathode tube can show some falloff at the
edges, since the light box is only slightly bigger than the MF frame
itself, and has only one tube (I think). The lid itself also has a
diffuser.

I don't notice much difference either way in my 3170, which has the same
lid. Might make a difference as the bulb ages.

And does this mean that I will not be able to scan medium format
negs, only transparencies?

I'm not sure what this question means. Negatives are transparencies.

If you have a mounted MF reversal slide, you may have trouble with the
holder being too small. In that case, just put it in the middle of the
glass where the light will shine through it.

To scan a negative, sandwich it between the hinged diffuser and the
plastic frame; you will find that it is just the right size to grab the
edges of your negative. If you have trouble with this, there are
aftermarket medium-format holders that some people love; the guy sells
them on eBay, search for "4170 holder".

hope this helps!