Coolscan 9000, Plustek, Minolta.. again, I need your Help!

Bruno Gracia

Bruno Gracia

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Hi everyone!

The last month I made a big mistake selling my whole analog gear, thinking in a Leica M9 again.. but I've regretted and I sold it yesterday for buy a M2 and stay with my Sonnar 50 zm and Cron 35 IV.. the point is, I sold as well my beloved Minolta 5400 :(

Now I want a scanner of the same quaility and simplicity, but this time, also thinking in MF cameras, like the Rolleiflex :)

So... After reading a lot, I'm blowin my mind with Coolscan 9000, Plustek 120 or Minolta MultiPro.. argggg any suggestion?

Thank You all and if some gently guy wants to help me in the London area Would be great! I just arrive from Spain yesterday, cause I have to study english and improve my poor level.

Thanks!
 
Plustek 120. At least thats what I did. Fast, very good quality scans, good looking device, good film holders and...here it comes: WARRANTY! :)
 
I have not used any of the scanners you mention, but I'd get the Plustek. That sort of money on electronics should come with a warranty and the assurance that repair is possible, in my opinion.

I mean, would you spend Coolscan 9000 money on a used computer of that age, with no warranty, and no assurance that if it broke, it could be repaired?
 
the minolta 5400 for 35mm film is da best. (i used several flatbed epson scanners previously). if you can get one cheaply, then the Dual Scan IV (at 3200 dpi) or the 5400 is definitely worth it, despite the age (8 year old) and being out-of-warranty. i found several minolta 2900 (2900 DPI) at under $200 on ebay.

as for 120 format, i find the epson flatbeds useful, because of the large negative, i don't scan more than 2400 dpi, which for a 6x6 MF, it works out to be around 20mb for 8-bit bw with a resolution of 5000x5000 (if my memory is correct).


* The downside with old scanners is the software and scsi interfaces.

raytoei
 
My impression is, roughly for the price of a Nikon scanner you buy two Minoltas of the same class; I am sure the Nikon is better build yet there is no substitute for a spare scanner ;)

And while the 1 year warranty on the Plustek is nice, the model just hit the market and has no long term track record. The Nikons and Minoltas on the other hand are known to work for years, and after several owners.
 
Thank You all!!

the problem or not a problem is I want to shot a Rolleiflex, then I need MF scanner... is really better (I'm not talking about support) the Coolscan 9000 than the Plustek 120?
 
If money was no issue, I'd buy a coolscan 9000 nikon,

I might be tempted to try the epson V700 next for MF stuff, used prices have become available.

the new plustek is nice too, but also out of my price range
 
The Nikon 8000ED is a lot like the 9000ED but much less expensive. I got one a few months ago and am quite happy with the results. It does MF well after I figured out the film holder was worn out. I replaced it with a new one. Yes, buying used without a warranty is a gamble, but so far I have no regrets (I have a Coolscan V as a backup 35mm scanner).
 
No problems with my MultiScan Pro, but I sold it and replaced it with an Coolscan 9000. Impossible to find a replacement bulb for the Minolta, not even in Japan. While the bulb may last for an eternity (or not), I didn't want to lose the scanner if it did go. I have a surge protector, et al, but you never know (or a "natural death"). Same will be true for the Nikon eventually, but still have time there.
Plustek, being current production, would also be viable- depends on your budget and preferences.
 
The Nikon scanners use an LED light source instead of a bulb (hence the name Coolscan). These LEDs will last forever.

I have both the 5000 and 9000. They work great with Vuescan, and are completely reliable. I use my scanner virtually every day.
 
I'd suggest to have a look at Reflecta's MF5000. Much cheaper than the Plustek 120. I have just bought one. It sports an effective resolution of 3150 dpi, and a very decent d-max. Excellent for medium format b/w.
 
I'll say another thing about the 8000 and the 9000: the 9000 has the same banding issues the 8000 does so you'll be using 'fine mode' 100% of the time just to avoid it. As such, it'll be just as slow as the 8000.... Get the glass holder and just use that for everything.

Or alternatively, pick up the Plustek 120 - which is more than capable.
 
Ok, I've decided stay with 35mm for the moment... Now this is the main questions and last one I hope! Between Minolta 5400 and Coolscan 4000?
 
My advice is by the time you get to that level of quality it doesn't really matter. Get whichever one you can find a good deal on.
 
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