Dead Konica Minolta 5400II

[formal]

My 5400 II scanner has been making strange noise as if some cogs are not engaging and now the film holder is well and truly stuck!

So far my enquires suggest that I might be able to get it repaired - subject to spare parts being available, but it will probably be fairly expensive.

Given the cost and issues with ongoing support, do people think it is worth repairing or should I just simply get a Nikon scanner?

David

 

[M. Valdemar]

I had a similar problem with mine, and I carefully opened the case and was able to extract the holder after slowly rocking it back and forth.

I found my problem was the film holder itself. I bought another holder on eBay for $20 and now it doesn't happen anymore.

When you put the removed cover back on the open scanner, be VERY careful not to snag the fine wires and ribbon cables. I almost created a disaster far worse than the stuck film holder.

If you don't decide to fix it, sell it on eBay clearly described as having problems and having a stuck film holder, as-is and for parts.

The demand for this scanner is so great that you'll get $400 or more for it, even if it doesn't work.

Sony still fixes these. I have no idea what they charge.

 

[gdi]

This may be relevant (mk I though)...
http://photo.net/digital-darkroom-forum/00Mh0N

 

[M. Valdemar]

The 5400 and the 5400 II are very different. The tips for the 5400 are not relevant to the 5400 II.

 

[JTK]

Remove the lid (one or two screws at the back..it's easy) and fiddle with the swallowed carrier and transport mechanism (both of which are badly engineered and sloppily cast of the lowest possible grade of plastic) and you'll unjam it.

I had two in a row. The first jammed after making a few good scans. I talked with Minolta service people, was amazed that they had found employment. Rather than immediately returning it to Amazon (under warrenty), I opened the lid, unstuck it, was able to make a few more scans before it jammed again. I returned it to Amazon, who sent sympathetic emails regarding Minolta and immediately replaced (I received #2 before #1 arrived back at Amazon). The replacement never worked. Amazon emailed stating that 5400II was constant trouble and they wouldn't replace with another Minolta (this was before Minolta failed) but they were happy to replace #2 with Nikon V ...which I've used heavily for several years, suffering absolutely zero trouble.

Minolta's failure was a blessing to photographers everywhere.

 

[M. Valdemar]

It is a shame that the mechanical quality of the Minolta 5400II is poor.

But when it is working the quality of the scans make the Nikons look like tracing paper.

Remove the lid (one or two screws at the back..it's easy) and fiddle with the swallowed carrier and transport mechanism (both of which are badly engineered and sloppily cast of the lowest possible grade of plastic) and you'll unjam it.

I had two in a row. The first jammed after making a few good scans. I talked with Minolta service people, was amazed that they had found employment. Rather than immediately returning it to Amazon (under warrenty), I opened the lid, unstuck it, was able to make a few more scans before it jammed again. I returned it to Amazon, who sent sympathetic emails regarding Minolta and immediately replaced (I received #2 before #1 arrived back at Amazon). The replacement never worked. Amazon emailed stating that 5400II was constant trouble and they wouldn't replace with another Minolta (this was before Minolta failed) but they were happy to replace #2 with Nikon V ...which I've used heavily for several years, suffering absolutely zero trouble.

Minolta's failure was a blessing to photographers everywhere.

 

[formal]

Good News and Bad News

Good News and Bad News

First, thanks for the responses.

Bad news: I have spent a lot of time looking for someone to repair the scanner and to find a supplier of film holders. No real luck. Support for the 5400 seems nearly non-existent.

Good news. I was reaching the conclusion that I would need to buy a Nikon, so I took the 5440 apart and pulled out the film holders. The problem was that the strip of film was slightly longer than 6 frames and the film holder was not properly closed. M. Valdemar was spot on - the problem was the film holder.

It is happily scanning as I type this message, but I don't hold out much hope for it having a long-term future 🙁🙁🙁

David

p.s. I now have no excuse for not submitting some images for the street competition!

 

[gdi]

The 5400 and the 5400 II are very different. The tips for the 5400 are not relevant to the 5400 II.

I was referring more to the info that Sony fixed one for a reasonable price. Anyway, good work helping to get the OP rolling again!

 

[vieri]

But when it is working the quality of the scans make the Nikons look like tracing paper.

Does it? I have a Coolscan 5000 and am pretty happy about it - what would the Minolta do better than the Nikon (for BW, not color scans)?

 

[RObert Budding]

Sell it on eBay while it's still working and buy a Nikon.

The 'tracing paper' comment is silly. Nikon scanners are very good.

 

[M. Valdemar]

While "tracing paper" is somewhat of a facetious comment, the quality of the Minolta 5400II scans far exceed those from the Nikons.

Not only are the scans more detailed and cleaner, but they require far less post processing and manipulation. The Digital Ice implementation is also superior to that of the Nikons.

Having owned numerous high end Nikon scanners, I have discarded them and now use the Minolta 5400II for 35mm slides and film.

I also use a Microtek i800 for 120 film scans, although this is not ideal, because this scanner is slow and quirky, but it suits my modest needs.

I hope those advocating "selling the Minolta" are speaking from experience, since without having tried the Minolta 5400II, one is not qualified to make a serious judgement.

Reading reviews of the Minolta and Nikons online and using hearsay as a basis for one's opinion doesn't count.


.

 

[alkos]

It is happily scanning as I type this message, but I don't hold out much hope for it having a long-term future 🙁🙁🙁

800+ rolls scanned, four or five similar jams (carrier stuck when not closed properly), data cables snapped once while putting the cover back - repaired myself... still works like a charm... ;-)