Coolscan 5000 in 2021 - best software?

[Doddle]

Hello scanner gang -

Whats the best software workflow these days for the Coolscan 5000?
I have LR6 with Negative Lab Pro but I'm not sure if I should get Vuescan or try to get Nikonscan working under W10. Silverfast is way too spendy and I don't need IT-8 calibration anyway.

I just scan single frames so auto feed isn't something I care about either.

I've read that Nikonscan is the way to go with its proprietary hardware-based ICE for slide & C41 but I just shoot b&w now, moved all my colour to digital so ICE isn't a deciding factor.

I'll probably just pick up Vuescan.. and report back if anyone is interested. 🙂

 

[JohnBeeching]

Hi,
I have used VueScan with assorted scanners for nearly 20 years. It is an excellent piece of software, though, like any powerful tool, it does take a bit of effort to get to learn it properly. One of the advantages is that, no matter which scanner you are using, the interface is always the same. There is extensive documentation and Hamrick responds to questions.

 

[albireo]

I don't have a 5000 but own a Minolta Scan Dual IV which, just like the 5000 is unsupported and would need legacy drivers and some faffing around to get it to work under Win10.

Not a problem for me, however: I use it with Vuescan Professional. Works flawlessly, and so will your 5000.

Just like John up here, I bought a Vuescan license years ago. One of the best pieces of software I've spent my money on and an essential component of my hybrid photography workflow.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Not sure about the Nikon, but Vuescan will do an autofeed batch scanning with Minolta Dimage scanners. I put the film strip in a tray, insert, and it will do the 6 images. I can also set it to do 5 out of 6 (I cut 35mm to 5 frame lengths for sleeves).

 

[steveyork]

Limited choices now days. I've been using Vuescan for the last ten years on my Nikon cool scan. It supports modern operating systems and pretty simple to learn the basics. Never much liked it for slides, it's far from perfect, but it's OK for B&W film. It scans everything a bit flat for me, but maybe that's my lack of expertise in scanning. Anyway, there's always PS for post processing. I'm not sure there's a totally good solution for scanning software; not mater which way is full of compromises. Too bad Nikon Scan is limited to old operating systems.

 

[brothernature]

Vuescan is excellent, once you get the hang of it. It's actively maintained and if you have a question, support will get back to you promptly.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Vuescan is the best thing for the Nikon scanners now. I have used it for 19 years with a Nikon 8000ED and a Coolscan V. I have made a series of tutorials for using Vuescan with the Nikon scanners.

Introduction To Film Scanning

Black & White Film Scanning With Vuescan

Color Slide Scanning With Vuescan

 

[jordan.dickinson]

Yep, VueScan with Negative Lab Pro is an excellent workflow. I’m using it with a Nikon Coolscan 9000 ED and have had excellent results.

 

[Godfrey]

I have been using Vuescan since 1999 with first Polaroid, then Konica Minolta, then Nikon film scanners, never mind also with Epson flat bed scanners. I've seen absolutely no reason to use anything else, including the manufacturers' poor quality (and now totally unsupported) software.

G