i had to finally stop using my 4490 because of color lines all over the scans, so i got a v700. none of the epson scanners are 'new'...they are all like from 2007. i don't think there are any new flatbed scanner designs, except for combo scanner/fax/copier things, because most magazines are all digital now. so the scanners are getting older but they update the software. still, this v700 is at least twice as fast as the 4490, and the scan quality is obviously much better. nice to be able to scan 4x5 and larger in one shot, unlike previously where i had to scan in two halfs.
the one thing i don't particularly like is is the 120 film holder. it's really difficult to get the film flat, always wants to curl and warp. i've started to wear gloves because i have to manhandle the film so much trying to get it flat. getting better at it, but the holder for the 4490 was much easier to use. i tried using it with the v700 and the scans were much softer, i guess because it wasn't the correct distance from the glass. though it scans fine when i tape negs to the glass even though that distance is much different that using the v700 holder.
aside from that, no issues other than the lid still not pressing down firmly on prints, so i still have to use a heavy book and white paper when scanning polaroids. but at this point it is probably the best flat bed scanner available (or the v750, which is the same with the newton glass).
