Minolta Dimage Scan Multi PRO v. Epson V700

[rtwright88]

I've been looking for a scanner for medium format film for sometime, and had finally decided on an Epson 700...and then I stumbled across a Minolta Dimage Scan Multi PRO for what seems a reasonable price, although nearly three times the Epson 700. Now I own both (!) and have to decide whether to return the unused Epson or sell on the Minolta.

The Minolta is old school, but seems to have great reviews in combinations with SilverFast but the V700 seems a bit more practical. Since I now have both relative cost differential seems a bit irrelevant.

Views and advice much appreciated.

Richard

 

[scottyb70]

The minolta will beat the v700. The v700 will be great for 4x5. I will take the minolta if you don't want it.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

The Minolta will outperform the Epson.
BUt if you want to sell the Minolta i know I buyer for it.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[Bob Michaels]

I have used a Minolta MultiPro for about 7 years. I have several friends with Espon 700's. I shoot 6x7 & 6x6 as they do.

I can assure you that the MultiPro yields better scans than the 700. But I can also assure you that the 700 does very good scans. The concept of "good enough" is difficult for many to grasp but is appropriate here. FWIW, there are scanners better than the MultiPro, some much older designs, but we are talking about scanners that sold for US$20K-40K new.

There has not been significant technological advances in scanners in recent times. Specs are often misleading. Scan quality remains a function of the quality of optics, electronics, and mechanical precision assembly. Unfortunately, price remains the best overall indicator of scan quality.

 

[PCStudio]

Film scanner vs Flatbed - funny

 

[rtwright88]

Thank you for all the comments, it's genuinely appreciated.

Bob - thanks for the quick post. I agree with the good enough for the most part, this is a hobby rather than a profession for me. I should probably be more worried about the money, but I figure that given the amount of money I have spent on equipment, and that over time I have acquired a few lenses that are as expensive as the scanner, that I should not be shy of spending the long dollar to digitise the film.

PC Studio - yeah, yeah, yeah...I knew someone would make a comment like this, point taken. I've got a dedicated 35mm scanner and love it, so I should probably not have asked in the first place!

Net net I have decided to go with the Minolta for three reasons:

1) I can return the Epson without any depreciation, and I've had a number of unsolicited offers to buy the Minolta! I figure that if I use it and don't like it there will still be strong demand in three or four months.

2) It seems clear that it will deliver a better quality scan, although whether I can manage it is yet to be seen.

3) It has a much smaller footprint, and I can store it in my dehumidifier
when I am away (I live in Hong Kong at present, and lenses are really susceptible to mold here)

Thanks again.

Richard

 

[Bob Michaels]

<snip>
Bob - thanks for the quick post. I agree with the good enough for the most part, this is a hobby rather than a profession for me. I should probably be more worried about the money, but I figure that given the amount of money I have spent on equipment, and that over time I have acquired a few lenses that are as expensive as the scanner, that I should not be shy of spending the long dollar to digitise the film.
<snip>
Richard

Richard:

I love my Minolta MultiPro and have for many many years. I am very critical for my exhibition prints. But please allow me to stress two points re: "good enough"

1) the Epson 700 is a very good scanner for MF negs printed up to at least 13x19. It is not just "good enough if you are not very choosy." It is simply very good. I have seen others prints and know.

2) The MultiPro is certainly not the top of the heap. While it is a bit better than the Epson 700, there are scanners much better than the MultiPro. I have put my nose up to 6'x6' (2 meters x 2 meters) size prints from 6x6 negs scanned by a real pro on a high end drum scanner. The MultiPro cannot come close to that resolution.

So you are putting your money down for something "good enough" along the spectrum. Neither scanner mentioned is at the bottom, neither at the top. Both are merely placed somewhere along the spectrum. You must decide where your "good enough" point is.

 

[rtwright88]

Bob,

Agreed, it's all relative, and in this case probably good enough. The nose to the 6x6 has given me an idea, I'm going to have a few of my better pictures done on a drum scanner for comparison in working on my scanner skills (such as they are).

Richard

P.S. like the HW 50 site, some great work there.