"Branko Vukelic" …
Hmmm… My PC’s based around a Chaintech version of VIA. Pretty good mb. Hasn’t let me down so far. But I’m on WinXP, which is pretty much like Win2k as far as hardware compatibility goes. However, 2k’s been pretty unstable unpathced on the same machine… So I guess that, like Win98, WinXP might be a better bet than 2k as far as the Epson goes.
Wow, it’s still a bit risky, you know. I really don’t have the budget for a firewire AND the scanner…
When you find out more, be sure to post the findings in this thread, please. I’m planning on getting *a* scanner in next two or three month.
Another perspective on the Epson 4870 for you. My own experience with this scanner is largely favourable, bearing in mind its multi purpose use and its price a combination that surely isn’t bettered by any other scanner. I have a Nikon Coolscan IV to compare it against for 35mm scans and I have to say it comes close. It is softer than the Nikon, the appearance of a sharpened 4870 scan is similar to an unsharpened Nikon scan. Colourwise the Epson is possibly a bit more accurate straight from the scan. The trump card for the Epson is its touted 3.8 dmax, well I can’t quote figures but I can tell you it does a damn fine job of revealing detail in its scans, every bit as good as the Nikon on shadow detail and less prone to blow out highlights. You want recommendations of using the 4870 for 35mm up to A4 size, I’d say yes if your originals are up to it and if you always bear in mind it is a low priced scanner. If you want to see every last bit of detail needle sharp then it will probably disappoint.
I bought mine for medium format scanning for which it is a better choice but if you are wanting to scan 35mm film and prints then it’s a combination that makes the 4870 a good deal for you too.
Will it work on your system. Well at the risk of making folks shudder, the spec of my computer is likely as low as you’ll come across and I have had no problem using the scanner. I use it with USB2 as I have no firewire, my processor is an AMD K6-2 400mhz I do have 640mb of memory, which I’m assuming helps though any large file size scans are slowish to handle once in PS. The scanner itself installed flawlessly, the biggest problem I’ve had has been due to running out of space on my C drive where my OS and Programs are and I’m loathe to reinstal anything at present as I’m waiting for finances to recover so I can get my dedicated photoshop machine and relieve this old one of its burden. I made a bad partitioning decision some time ago the consequences of which I just have to live with for now. If your computer is free from these problems I think it should handle the 4870 alright. One thing though, I haven’t used ICE at all and I haven’t scanned at greater than 3200. Why have a nice new scanner with ICE and not use it? I do mostly black and white and ICE doesn’t work with conventional (i.e. non C41 processed) black and white. It doesn’t work with Kodachrome either which accounts for a fair bit of my 35mm colour. And no higher than 3200? For medium format the file sizes would be too big for a dubious improvement by going to 4800 and the 35mm I’ve done has been in comparison to my Nikon which scans at 2900.
I think you asked for price ranges on the 4870. Here in the UK the best deal I’ve seen is from Amazon for £299, or was it £295, with free delivery. In the States you’d pay a lot less (surprise, surprise) but you won’t get Epson Smart Panel (no big loss and certainly not worth the extra we have to pay).
I note you don’t have USB2 nor did I, but I added a USB2 card for about £10 to £15 off ebay some time ago that sorted that, you could do the same for USB2 or firewire. By the way the scanner will work on plain vanilla USB but will of course be slower. Your 256 mb RAM might slow things a little. One way to ease it might be to use the scanner as a stand alone rather than from within Photoshop so you don’t have the pair of them fighting for resources. The Epson isn’t as greedy as the Nikon in this regard, Nikon and PS open at the same time really bogs my computer, mind you it has its moments with Word. Chances are you’ll find your machine copes okay if mine does. Your memory problem will still be a problem with any other scanner you might choose so an upgrade might be in order regardless.
For your print and 3D object scanning this is a lot more scanner than you really need but add in your 35mm needs and it is probably made "just for you".
Brian
(the other one)