No More Minolta Scanners

[sfb_dot_com]

It has already been announced that Konica Minolta is to withdraw from it's photographic operations by March 31st, handing over some aspects of the business to Sony.

It's been less clear however what would happen to their Film Scanners. Well, I can now reveal a pretty swift end. I have been considering the Scan Elite 5400 II, but so far for financial reasons have refrained. I check the web site of Warehouse express (www.warehouseexpress.com) every now and then to see if there have been any changes, so when I looked the other day to see the word discontinued by it and the Scan Dual IV, I was bit concerned to say the least. I then rang them up to get the whole story, thinking maybe that there were old stocks that would last for a while, only to be told an alarming story. Basically, there are no stocks in Britain, none in Japan, and no plans to manufacture any more. The ones if you can find them that are in the shops now, are the last ones. There will be no more.

Looks like it might be the Nikon LS 50 then!

Shame 🙁

 

[ch1]

Is it possible that Sony will continue them rebranded?

 

[sheepdog]

I think KM scanners are already rebranded OEM scanners, so that would be an easy change. Don't quote me on this, though, as I can't find the forumpost where it was mentioned.

Kind regards
Kjetil

 

[GeneW]

Now that's unhappy news. If my 5400 (I) dies, I guess I'll become even more Nikonian than I currently am. I sincerely hope that at least one top-of-the-line manufacturer keeps making film scanners.

Gene

 

[sbug]

Funny timing as I had just been looking for a Scan Dual IV myself and had also found the to be available nowhere. Does anyone know how the low-end Nikon is in comparison?

 

[dcsang]

Now.. I have seen a "demo" Scan Multi Pro for $2,000 CDN - and have considered it - but then I think "hmmmmmm just how much medium format am I going to shoot?" -

Gene, your Scan Elite 5400 will likely last a bit longer - my Scan Elite II (non 5400) is still going strong after about 5 years 🙂

Dave

 

[MP Guy]

I think I will sell my 5400 II. Check out the ads

 

[RayPA]

Funny timing as I had just been looking for a Scan Dual IV myself and had also found the to be available nowhere. Does anyone know how the low-end Nikon is in comparison?

Gawd! What a mind meld! We're all becoming one big RFF concious! 🙂 I was checking out KM scanners last night and found them out of stock everywhere I looked. I think B&H has a lower-end refurbished model 'in stock,' but that was it.



.

 

[kaiyen]

Ray - if you are looking for one, I just saw like 10 of them at Keeble & Shuchat in palo alto. Of course, you'll pay the absolute max price on one. As you would for anything they sell.

allan

 

[RayPA]

Ray - if you are looking for one, I just saw like 10 of them at Keeble & Shuchat in palo alto. Of course, you'll pay the absolute max price on one. As you would for anything they sell.

allan

Allan, thank you! I'll check them out.



🙂

 

[peter_n]

I wonder about people who have cams & scanners in for service at KM in New Jersey. I got mine back almost two months ago but if it goes again I'm out a scanner. 🙁 But at least I got it back working! 🙂

 

[Frank Granovski]

I haven't found one locally yet but I haven't tried Leo's. Just going to give them a call now. Re: Dual-scan 1V. 🙁

 

[Kyle]

Man, I can't believe that B&H and everyone is already out of stock. I just finally hooked up my Scan Dual IV this past weekend (got it for Christmas). Its a nice scanner, at least Nikon is still in the scanning business (for now).

 

[amateriat]

I've had no problems with any of the Minolta scanners I've had (Original Scan 35, Dimage Scan Elite II [2900], and my current 5400 I). Legally speaking - in the US, if not elsewhere - KM has to arrange for service for products for at least the next seven years from date of discontinuance. Exactly how that sorts out remains to be seen (take it to Sony? Maybe), but I wouldn't shake in my boots, whether you've got a scanner already or trying to find one now.

(The fact that the things are suddenly thin on the vine seems to suffice as a vote of confidence)


- Barrett

 

[Frank Granovski]

I called a number of local dealers yesterday and today. I was told by some that Konica-Minolta high-tailed out of Canada so fast that dealers couldn't even order stock. All I can say is that this was an _ss-hole company. I hope no one buys their photo-copiers. Bastards!

And I was going to call B&H, since I saw the Dual-Scan 1V on their website this morning, but now that I know they're also dry, I won't bother.

 

[sf]

Ha ha. I just bought one from StuartR (RFF member). Minolta Dimage Scan Multi Pro. Yummy.

It is a pity, all the loss that the industry has suffered this year. That is how it has been in most all industries forever. Horribly unpleasant thing.

Hey, it might just drive up the resale value on my scanner . . . . might. At least for a year or so and as long as I take good care of it.

 

[sfb_dot_com]

As a further postscript to this, I checked on the website of Jessops who are the largest photo retailer here in the UK and KM scanners had completely disappeared off their website. I do know one of my local branches has a Scan Dual in stock, but I had my sights a little higher than that with 1/2 mind to stock library requirements.

I might ask around a bit on Saturday as well. :bang:

oh well...

To the guy who wondered about the low-end Nikon, yep it's a pretty good piece of kit, although I'm not too happy about the software. As a long-standing Nikonian too, I have been appalled at times by the mindless snobbery sometimes evinced there of the "Everything Nikon is best" kind.

Andy

 

[PMCC]

Konica Minola Dimage Scan Elite 5400 II

Konica Minola Dimage Scan Elite 5400 II

Allan, thank you! I'll check them out.



🙂

FWIW, two weeks ago there were 2 or 3 on the floor at
Calumet in SF.

Peter.

 

[RObert Budding]

Well, maybe Nikon will "refresh" their product line since they are pretty much the only game in town. Then again, they probably won't bother as there is now even less competition!

 

[Frank Granovski]

I was told to check http://www.vistek.ca - I haven't yet because my Internet provider was down. 😎