Photo Accessory News

If you still have old photos and negatives that need to be professionally scanned, you’re in luck. At PhotoPlus Expo in New York City today, Epson unveiled the Perfect V800 and V850 Pro photo scanners.

Both scanners feature 4800 x 6400 dpi optical resolution with a 4.0 Dmax optical density along with Epson’s Dual Lens scanning system. The top-of-the-line Perfection 850 Pro model, as expected, adds a few other professional features including High Pass Optics with anti-reflection optical coatings and a high-reflection mirror designed to improve image quality and performance. According to Epson, the 850 Pro delivers up to 33 percent faster scans.

The Perfection V800 Photo and V850 Pro support several positive and negative film formats including 35mm slides, film strips, medium format and 4” x 5” format. Using an energy efficient ReadyScan LED light source, the scanners use 23 percent less power and, according to Epson, produce faster scans with no warm-up time required.

The scanners come with newly designed film holders that feature sturdier frames designed to produce more consistent scans.

There are three height adjustment levels for greater control and an anti-Newton ring plate for improved scan quality. Both scanners feature Digital ICE technology to automatically remove defects such as dust, scratches and creases from films, slides and photos.

Here are some more highlights of the new Epson V800 Photo and V850 Pro:

· High Optical Density (4.0 DMax): Smooth gradations and fine shadow detail offer remarkable tonal range and highly accurate tone reproduction.

· Dual Lens System: Optimize each scan with this system, which automatically selects from two lenses for the desired scan resolution. The High Resolution Mode is used to achieve 4800 dpi (reflective 8.5” x 11”, transparency 8” x10”) and Super Resolution Lens Mode is used for 6400 dpi (film scanning).

· Advanced Film Scanning: Quickly scan slide-packs and negative strips into printable contact sheets with the 8” x10” transparency adapter.

· Software Bundle includes:

-   Epson Scan with Easy Photo Fix restores faded color photos back to their original brilliance.

-   LaserSoft Imaging SilverFast SE Version 8 (V800 Photo) and SE Plus Version 8 (V850 Pro) controls highlights and shadows, gradations, selective and global color sharpening, and de-screening.

- X-rite i1 Profiler (V850 Pro only) creates custom profiles with included transparent and reflective IT8 targets.

-   Epson Copy Utility copies documents and photos with ease.

· Fluid Mount Accessory: Optional add-on accessory ($59 MSRP) to hide scratches and reduce grain from black-and-white negatives.

The Epson Perfection V800 Photo ($739) and Epson Perfection V850 Pro ($949) go on sale in November 2014.