Konica Minolta 5400

starless

Well-known
Local time
3:55 AM
Joined
Mar 31, 2009
Messages
265
I just bought one of these puppies.

A question: Does multi-sampling make any difference for b/w scans? Is it worth the scanning time?
 
FWIW I can't see any difference between "straight" and multi-sampling B&W film scan with my Scan Dual (much older than your 5400)
It could be a little more useful for colour film/slides
 
Thanks. I will probably give it a try when it arrives, though I hear it might take up to 20 min for a single frame which is a lot.
 
I've only used the multi-sample on my 5400 a couple of times. The last time was a couple of years ago, and it was on an underexposed negative that I was trying to pull out some more shadow detail. It did make a little bit of a difference. It did increase the scan time, but I ended up using the scan (it was for a Blurb book I was making). So, it was worth it for me, but I don't use the multi-sample as part of my regular scanning process. I get satisfactory results out of the scanner without it. Great scanner, BTW. Congrats!




/
 
If you are scanning true B&W film you can't use the ICE feature and your scan times for a 5400 dpi scan should be about 2 minutes. With ICE on you may experience scan times of 10-12 minutes for the same 5400 dpi scan. I have never used multi sampling. It has been a great film scanner for me and I hope you enjoy yours too.

Bob
 
Does anyone have trouble loading the holder sometimes?

It's like one day it is easier to load it, the next time you kind of have to move it around so it goes in.

Is there any trick to make this easier? The arrow indication on the holder doesn't help at all.
 
Multisample might help with color slides, or a very thick or very thin B+W negative.
I have not tried it out on the 5400, but overall with other scanners it usually does not make a bit of difference unless its a bad exposure.

Sometimes mine can be picky about loading.
 
Inserting the film holders can be a bit tricky, at least it is with mine. Like you say sometimes easy and others no so much. The holders fit only one way and the arrow is just to make sure you have the right orientation to insert it properly. You just follow the manual.

Bob
 
I do not know whether this particular feature is available in the Vuescan for this scanner, but just check it out (the Vuescan 30 day free trial version has this feature enabled as far as I know):

You may be able to adjust the exposure (lamp brightness) so you would be able to scan the same slide with 2 different exposures and them comnine them in post processing (something a'la HDR). I want to try this soon with my Microtek F1.
 
2X and 4X seem to pull more detail on mine. Scan times increase significantly.

If you have a long scale subject, make two scans, one for correct highlights, one for shadows. Treat like HDR.

OPen both in PS whith light on top. Temporarily change blend mode to difference. Activate move tool, V shortcut, and use arrows to align layers. Usually mine are right on.

USe HDR to combine or even better, a luminescent mask on the top one, highlight layer.

Go to The Lights Right.com, digital darkrom tab, video tutorials, blending images for more details.

Put your negs in a plastic sleeve and weight with a book to get them flat. The scanner will get every grain corner to corner sharp.

Tri x scans best. Keep development to low contrast for best results.
 
I just received my mint dimage 5400 scanner and tested it with 3 scanning software. Silverfast which is the one I use with my v700 since it came with it, vuescan which I'm loving it for black and white so far, and minolta dimage software "which is working perfectly on snow leopard!!!".
The test scan is amazingly sharp and man is the grain so crisp.
 
Back
Top Bottom