The 4490 is likely a better choice to start than the 4990, unless you're
already shooting Large Format. You'll also want to pick up some 35mm ANR
inserts from betterscanning.com, they massively improve 35mm scans from
flatbeds. You'll want 2 for the 4490. Note Epson.com has refurbs right now for
$99.
The printer will come with a set of ink carts. So you won't be buying ink right
away. If you intend to do large amounts of printing, a R2400 or up will quickly
pay for itself in Ink (the R2400's in costs are about 1/4 the cost of an
R280's, due to the cartridges holding a lot more ink than the low-end
cartridges. Note that a high-end printer like the Epson 4800 is even cheaper,
at about 1/3 of the cost of the R2400. The cost difference between those two is
about 250 8x10's).
Your best bet if you like 5x7's is to print 2 to a page and cut down. Most
papers are available in 8.5x11 and larger only. A few are available in 5x7,
Moab papers in particular are available in 5x7 (Entrada bright is a superb
matte art paper).
-Adam
Glen Tortorella wrote:
> I am considering buying a scanner (and a photo inkjet, too). I do
> not like being pigeon-holed to the 8.5x11 size, or having to cut my
> prints in order to attain different sizes. I mention 8.5x11 because
> this is clearly the most popular print paper size, and it is also the
> only one (at least in Epson's line) that comes in matte with
> borders. I would prefer 5x7, and I dislike glossy prints. I mention
> Epson because their R280 printer seems like a great value.
>
> In any case, what do yo recommend for a scanner? I believe someone
> mentioned something with 4990 in the model number (Epson perhaps?).
> Again, the scanner route is still questionable for me. While it has
> its advantages--in terms of control of print quality, etc.--it, to
> me, seems like it is rather limiting, too. Then there is the *total*
> start-up cost that few, with the exception of Rebekah, seem to
> acknowledge. Yes, the printer is $99, but then ink for it is about
> $70, a scanner is probably $200-$300, and then there is that
> calibration software, and what else...? I consider all of this in
> light of: 8.5x11 for everything, unless I am willing to start
> cutting...Hmm...
>
> Thanks,
> Glen
>
> On Oct 10, 2007, at 9:47 AM, Scott Loveless wrote:
>
>> Glen Tortorella wrote:
>>> Anyway, in the years we have done this, our results with print
>>> processing have been very good. I wish they would offer good B&W
>>> print C-41 processing, though. Those two rolls with the purplish
>>> tint disappointed me. Perhaps print B&W C-41 is just too strange an
>>> animal? I have been thinking of leaving my color print processing to
>>> W-M, and trying A&I mailers for my B&W prints. Overall, their prices
>>> are rather high (though not more than the "pro" shops), but since
>>> they charge only $1.50 a roll more for traditional print B&W ($15.50
>>> vs. $17.00), I may opt for that. I have heard that their work is
>>> excellent ("Old Grumpy" had endorsed them). I welcome any further
>>> thoughts.
>>>
>> I've had inconsistent results with Wal-Mart's in house processing.
>> Thus, everything goes into their send-out bin, even the C-41
>> stuff. It
>> seems that quality is variable by store and by staff. Fuji is much
>> more
>> consistent. Basically, if you put your film in one of their 1-hour
>> envelopes they're going to process it in the store. As far as I can
>> tell, anything that's not in a 1-hour envelope goes to Fuji and
>> takes a
>> few days, at least. Perhaps Bill can confirm this.
>>
>> C-41 B&W is tricky and most mini-labs don't do it well. Wal-Mart, as
>> well as Target, Costco, Rite-Aid, etc., are probably going to print it
>> on the same paper they print everything else on. You're going to
>> have a
>> color cast. I used to send film to a mail order outfit called Clark
>> Color (I believe they're affiliated with York Photo). They would
>> print
>> C-41 B&W and traditional B&W on traditional black and white paper.
>> They
>> have since gone to a production inkjet system that really sucks. Your
>> best bet is to get a scanner and scan/print the stuff yourself.
>>
>> --
>> Scott Loveless
>> http://www.twosixteen.com/fivetoedsloth/
>>
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