Fujifilm to release high quality reasonably priced film scanner?

[ZeissFan]

Has Fuji ever had a film scanner? I don't think so. I don't see them jumping into the film market at a time when they're cutting back on film products.

But you never know.

 

[Sparrow]

Sissies use scanners and Old Spice, real men use baryte paper and carry the sweet smell of old bleach.

... and, as a consequence, see more of their famalie and get to do the stuff that really matters? .🙂

 

[Keith]

Has Fuji ever had a film scanner? I don't think so. I don't see them jumping into the film market at a time when they're cutting back on film products.

But you never know.

Have they ever had a hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder?

Well not until today!

Why not a film scanner too I ask? 😀

 

[Sparrow]

Has Fuji ever had a film scanner? I don't think so. I don't see them jumping into the film market at a time when they're cutting back on film products.

But you never know.

That's like asking which came first; the dead chicken or broken egg 🙄

 

[Matus]

I think we need a scanner that goes up to (at least) 6x12 and delivers 95% of the true resolution. Actually - a slightly updated version of the Coolscan 9000, when I come to think of it.

However I doubt it can be made at $1000. The Coolscan was more like $3000.

I would like to se a scanner that can go to 4x5", but that would make it too expensive to deliver the same results. I can live for most of my 4x5 scans with my Microtek F1 and send the best slides to be scanned with Imacon.

However I would love to see better Dmax from a flat bed scanners too.

So, yes - if Fuji brings something at about $1000 than count me in. Or they could at least bring something that small labs would not hesitate to buy and provide a relatively cheap good quality scans (again, Coolscan 9000 is a good example)

 

[wgerrard]

Would Adobe have any interest in the scanner game? Not as a vendor, but perhaps as an investor. After all, scanned film images are invariably fed to Photoshop.

However, if Fuji does build an affordable film scanner, will someone please tell me a few months before it is released so i can sell my Coolscan while the prices are still good? 🙂

 

[ederek]

Oohh sounds great! Anyone taking pre-orders yet? 😎

 

[tammons]

The hassle of drum scanning is not that bad once you get used to it.

I bought a howtek for $1000 about 6 years ago and its still working.

The big issue with drum scanners is the cost of repairs.

Now I learn that kami fluid which was recommended has caused drum crazing so now I need a $1500 drum they dont even make any more.

Well at least the film is flat with a drum scanner and you can load up bunch of medium format film and run it on batch overnight.

Its worth the time of loading the drum, but IMO especially with the new digital cameras out it is probably not worth the expense of upkeep, especially if you have to send it in for a $3000 tune up every now and then or replace a $1500 drum.

Its a big machine too.

 

[Bobonli]

Would Adobe have any interest in the scanner game? Not as a vendor, but perhaps as an investor. After all, scanned film images are invariably fed to Photoshop.

However, if Fuji does build an affordable film scanner, will someone please tell me a few months before it is released so i can sell my Coolscan while the prices are still good? 🙂

Sell it now. It's certainly coming. I can say that with confidence because I just received my Plustek today. Whenever I buy a new piece of technology it is either phased out, or a competitor introduces something much better 6 days later.

 

[chrism]

My Minolta Scan Multi II just crapped out on me tonight. Nikon 9000 too expensive and I heard isn't supported by latest mac OS. Now would be a perfect time!
Sigh...time to check the reviews of the Epsons! 🙁

The Nikon 9000ED comes with Nikon Scan 4, which works fine for me on OS X 10.6.4. Vuescan also works as a backup if you must use NS4, but I actually use Vuescan routinely. If you get the chance to buy a 9000, I suggest you take it if it is affordable.

Chris

 

[tlitody]

when will you guys get it. They stopped making pricey scanners because no one was buying them and the situation hasn't got any better.

I have an Epson F3200 for 4x5 (does 35mm and MF too) and I would like a nikon 5000 for 35mm.
F3200 output quality isn't fantastic but its oh so simple to use and very small foot print for a dedicated 4x5 scanner. (was never available in the US).

 

[Keith]

I've heard that the 5000 can be a little harsh in the way it renders grain.

I would love a 9000 but they are over $4000.00 here in OZ. 😱 I know Nikon stopped making these scanners but what's their commitment to servicing and repairs for the future?

 

[helen.HH]

Keith, You LOVE to stir up the Pot.... Gossip 😱
wicked of You ...🙂

 

[x-ray]

It's very unlikely as Fuji just dropped their line of pre press scanners and discontinued support and all parts. I have their top of the Finescan 5000 which was the price of a new car and just purchased a used one for spare parts just in case since they no longer support them. The professional scanners weren't actually produced by Fuji as such. They were made by Crossfield of England which was bought by Dupont then Fuji. Great scanners but very large, touchy and expensive. The required dongle which was specific to mac OS 9, X and Windows cost $700 for each. The cost of the scanner with dongles ran $30,000.

 

[Jason Sprenger]

Since commercial film development is drying up and blowing away, it makes sense to produce a scanner for the people using film. Rather than selling one unit to a shop owner at $20k, they'd do well to sell $2k scanners to 10 enthusiasts.

Kodak would be able to accomplish this more easily except for the vision of Kodak management.

 

[wgerrard]

Sell it now. It's certainly coming. I can say that with confidence because I just received my Plustek today. Whenever I buy a new piece of technology it is either phased out, or a competitor introduces something much better 6 days later.

Hey, that's how I tell people how to buy anything made by Apple! Watch what I buy, wait two weeks, and Jobs will be onstage announcing the next version.

Best (worst?) example: I bought an iPod Touch one day before the new models were announced.

 

[tlitody]

I've heard that the 5000 can be a little harsh in the way it renders grain.

I would love a 9000 but they are over $4000.00 here in OZ. 😱 I know Nikon stopped making these scanners but what's their commitment to servicing and repairs for the future?

Just put a slide duplicator on the end of your d700 macro lens and photograph which ever pos or neg you want. Why do you need a scanner? Thats what digital cameras are for and the exposure tilme will be a fraction of scan time.😉

Oh and then ask yourself, If I am photographing negatives with a digital camera so I can print them, why don't I just use the digital camera in the first place?