Digital BW, The Print

My flatbeds have focus issues that keep the scans from being sharp with 35mm. Just holding a B&W neg up to a lightbulb and shooting with a digital gave me a sharper image. I use a $10 used Coolscan at 1800/2000dpi

Copying still has the increase in contrast problems, but I have copied some minus-EV kodachrome with good results.

Give your 4490 a critical look. It may be fine for you. I do use my 3200 often, because firing up the old SCSI machine is a chore  :  )

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 10/12/2009 at 1:26 PM robert49brake wrote:

>I have an Epson 4490 that I picked up for a bargain and use as a document
>scanner.  I've scanned a few 8x10 b&w prints with it and Vuescan and was
>mildly and positively surprised at the outcome.
>
>The other day after fantasizing over a completely unaffordable for me M9
>with a Noctilux, I went digging through the old camera box and pulled out
>a Yashica Electra 35 GSN which took surprisingly good photos.  It just
>felt good in my hand and for the price of a new light seal and a few rolls
>of Tri-X I could quit sticking massive, whirring DSLRs into peoples faces.
> The wet darkroom is long gone and on the other side of the country but, a
>changing bag and a can could do the trick with the digital setup I already
>have.
>Question is, can the 4490 do a decent enough job on a 35mm b&w negative to
>see if this route is worth pursuing.  I think I could figure out a way to
>manually wet scan with it and I don't think I'd be looking at more than a
>half dozen worthwhile negs a month.  If the whole thing feels good I could
>send out any real keepers for drum scanning later.  8x10 is still my
>favorite size although I have 13x19 printers that get used for larger
>prints occasionally but I can't imagine going over that.
>
>Another possibility might be some sort of DSLR copy rig.
>
>Anyone tried either of these approaches?
>
>Who knows it might be worth digging out Dad's old Rolleiflex while I'm at
>it.
>
>Thanks, Robert