In the market for a quality dedicated 35mm scanner

[ellisson]

I would like to buy a dedicated 35mm scanner for my B&W and color film negatives, a scanner that will produce results that can be printed at 12 x 16 with good to excellent image quality. I have been researching various scanners discussed on RFF and reviewed elsewhere. In considering my options, the minolta 5400 elite scanner and the Plustek 8200 (SE or the Ai) scanners are highest on my list. A drum scanner is out of my price range.

I'd prefer the Minolta scanner, but I am concerned about service support now that these are no longer made. My questions area; 1. Does Sony provide support and service for the the 5400? and 2. Do these scanners develop problems often enough that I should be concerned about the need for servicing/repair work?

Cheers,

Gary

 

[wwkw]

In the six or so years that Plustek has been regurgitating 35mm scanners, you can count on them to never manufacturer one that's better than the used Minolta scanner from how many years ago. Might as well go for the warranty.

 

[kxl]

A few Nikon Coolscan 5000 scanners on ebay for $1500. With some patience, you might be able to find a very clean one around $1K or even under.

 

[wjlapier]

I'm using a Coolscan V. I see there are a few on ebay now and one from Roberts for less than $600 in excellent condition shipped free.

 

[13Promet]

I've just got a Nikon 4000 after lots of reading and reserches.
IQ wise, the Minolta seems to be better even than the Nikon 5000 which I'd get instead of the 4000 if money wasn't an issue.
But one advantage of the Nikons compared to the Minolta is the light source being LED rather than fluorescent: for 10+ years old, not supported gear IMO it's an important point, as LED lifespan and colour stability in the time is much better.
For BW film, I get better result shooting the negatives by a digital camera, macro lens and slide duplicator adapter combo.

 

[Godfrey]

Nikon Coolscan V is pretty much the standard of the industry. Drive it with Vuescan and be happy.

G

 

[ellisson]

Thanks to all for these suggestions. The Nikon Coolscan V or 5000 seem like good options for my scanning needs.

I will follow the ebay listings for a clean one and one that comes with the film and slide holders, although the film holder would be the more important one for me.

 

[The Clam]

Hi Gary. I did some research a couple of years ago and settled on the Nikon Coolscan 5000 as the best option. I wanted something that would do a good job on negatives as well as on my family's old slide collection and haven't been disappointed. It's a bit pricey but I am very happy with it. There is one being advertised on FM right now for $1400 I believe. I have no connection to the seller but it might be worth a PM. Good luck.

 

[gns]

Gary,

I have a Coolscan 5000 ED I would like to sell. If you're interested, please PM me.

 

[ellisson]

A question about the Nikon Coolscan 5000:

Will this scanner interface with VueScan software on a MacBook Pro with the current OS X 10.9.9 operating system? This is an important issue to resolve before I take the step of buying from a fellow RFF member.

Thanks to all!

Gary

 

[Mudman]

yes it will work fine

 

[kxl]

The Nikon Coolscan V or 5000 seem like good options for my scanning needs.

The V is a good scanner, but if you need to scan entire rolls, you need the 5000 (or the 4000) -- either by buying the ridiculously expensive SA-30 accessory or just doing a simple hack (courtesy of RFF'er mabelsound):

http://jrobertlennon.com/scanning-whole-rolls/

 

[ellisson]

I bought a lightly used Nikon 5000 and have just started scanning using VuScan software. I'm very impressed with this combination. It was the right choice for my 35mm shooting and Macbook computer. Resolution and shadow detail were impressive. It seems like my workflow will require only minimal adjustments in VuScan for B&W negatives, most processing to be done in LR. Even in LR, only fine adjustments were needed.

Given my early results and reports by other RFF members, I can see where scanning an entire role of film with a modified SA-21 film feeder would work well.

Thanks to everyone for this discussion of dedicated 35mm scanner considerations. It was very helpful in making my buying decision!

 

[timeUnit]

In Europe the Nikon CS V and 5000 go for at least 1200 USD (equivalent). I think it's completely mad to buy that old electronics with no warranty or support at such a price. I've owned the Coolscan V and it was OK. Very sharp, but also a high level of grain aliasing. Even ISO 50 looks very grainy with this scanner.

I currently use a Plustek 8100 that cost me about 300 USD (eqiv.), and sharpness wise I think it is very good. Not higher sharpness than CS V, but nicer, less extreme. The dynamic range is not as good as the CS V, which can be a problem even with BW negs.

Also, the Plustek is a LOT faster than my CS V.

All in all I am happy with the Plustek and do not miss the CS V. Perhaps it is a contributing factor that I've worked with image manipulation professionally for many years, so I know how to get the best from a scanner, given it's limitations.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

I can see where scanning an entire role of film with a modified SA-21 film feeder would work well.

A pro scanning firm I use says you should scan when negs are dry before sleeving and at the highest resolution you think you will need. Time and sleeving allows "dust" etc to accumulate and a rescan will always leave you more work.

 

[Ronald M]

Madness to buy one. Seriously.

I rejected buying Silverfast for my 5400 I for $300. You will need an old computer to run the original software which I found quite good. Don`t like Vue Scan, but it works sort of.

My 5400 is now gathering dust because I upgraded computer OS.

 

[Michalm]

Another vote for V coolscan, well build , very reliable and supposedly easy to repair if required , I would choose this over any currently available new plusteks etc because it also has good af lens plus better dynamic range.

 

[timeUnit]

Here's a recent scan from the Plustek:

Here's a crop:

Scanned at 7200 ppi, sharpened slightly in PS.

 

[giganova]

+1 on the Plustek + Vuescan

 

[ellisson]

Lots of favorites and preferences expressed here. Scanning through many of the threads on RFF, I have seen many excellent results with Canon and Epson flatbeds, Plusteks, Minoltas, several Nikon Coolscan models, and others. It is nice to know that many options exist for many budgets and preferences. It's good to have options!