Best scanning software for Minolta 5400

[Jason Blake]

Hi all,

I was interested to know whether I would be advantaged by purchasing either vuescan or silverfast for my 5400. I am wondering if it has any advantages over the minolta software. I have downloaded a free trial of Silverfast and found that it had a myriad of options.

I managed to understand most of its functionality and did some comparison scans which i found resolved in a similar fashion. Now I haven't looked in great detail and I was mainly looking at how it resolved the grain, which it did beautifully.

I have read many scanning forums and I know that scanning does not perfect over night. This is why I'm putting up this query as there is the likely situation that I will be able to refine my scans once I get my head around the possibilities of the software.

I'd appreciate any help or opinions on this. Many Thanks, Jason

 

[bmattock]

Vuescan is it.

 

[Nikon Bob]

I dunno. I just use the Minolta software to get a scan with minimum adjustments at that stage. I do the rest in PSE 2.0 or Nikon Capture NX2. Are you having trouble with the supplied software?

Bob

 

[TEZillman]

I'll second Vuescan. I use it with my Scan Dual IV and it made a huge difference after trying to use the Minolta software for several years. It works especially well with negative film as compared to the Minolta software. I have not found slides to be all that difficult with either software.

 

[Jason Blake]

Thanks for the responses,

I'm not having any problems with the Minolta software, I'm just wondering if with a bit of work I could get better results from one of the apps mentioned. I will download a trial of vuescan and give it a shot.

What do you see the advantages of Vuescan are?

Jason

 

[Jason Blake]

I just downloaded a trial version of vuescan and I can't believe how much simpler the interface is compared with silverfast.

 

[nksyoon]

Last time I checked, Vuescan can be used for multiple scanners, while Silverfast is scanner specific, so if you buy a new scanner you need a new version of Silverfast.

 

[amateriat]

I've been using Minolta's 5400 (first version) since shortly after its release. I've been using VueScan since well before then. While I've had no problem with Minolta's supplied stand-alone software/plug-in PS driver, I've mostly used VueScan, and recommend it.


- Barrett

 

[Jason Blake]

Thank you for all of the help. I have made a pre-scan and scan in Vuescan but the scans have many many fine vertical lines running through the image. The are red green yellow blue etc. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[david.elliott]

That is definitely not right. But I have no idea what is wrong.

Have you cleaned your scanner glass in its entirety?

 

[Jason Blake]

Hi david,

No I haven't but I have just done the same scan with the Minolta software and it is perfect, no lines like Vuescan. Very strange!

 

[david.elliott]

Hmm. Are you using a trial version of vuescan? Maybe it is a watermark.

 

[Jason Blake]

Hi again,

Good idea but you can hardly view the image with these lines. I may re-download the software and start from scratch.

 

[Jason Blake]

You'll be glad to know that worked!

 

[binky]

Just FYI,

the 5400 seems to work under Mac 10.6 with the Minolta software...need more tests when I have time

John

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

I use the Minolta software and scan just a straight scan without any adjustments. I do all the PP in Photoshop. Works for me.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[amateriat]

Just FYI,

the 5400 seems to work under Mac 10.6 with the Minolta software...need more tests when I have time

John

Good to know this. I work happily with PPC Macs for now, but always great to know the newst stuff will run this.


- Barrett

 

[Jason Blake]

Thanks for all of the input. I have reverted to Minolta software and am loving the results. I scan "raw" with no adjustments then convert to profile for colour accuracy in PS. I then make my adjustments and the files are truly magnificent.