Redux: 35mm only scanners

R

remegius

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I know that this has been tossed around before, and recently, on a number of occasions, but I want to be specific here. I use a V500, and as I have stated elsewhere it is a very capable little scanner when used with 120 film. It just doesn't have it, for me, when it comes to 35mm. So...I have decided that I am going to get a dedicated 35mm scanner, and am looking for suggestions. I decidedly cannot afford a Nikon 9000, and anything I consider will have to be under $1K. So if the scanning community can put up with yet another "which scanner" thread I would love to hear your opinions.

Cheers...

Rem
 
Interesting. I have a V700 and just reached the same conclusion this week. A new 5000ED is about $1400 CDN + tax, which is more than I can spend right now.

Wondering if I would be pleased with an older version of this scanner (assuming I can track one down). Should have bought the Minolta Dimage Scan Elite 5400 II I saw on eBay a couple months ago.
 
Paddy C said:
Interesting. I have a V700 and just reached the same conclusion this week.
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+1
Think I will keep the V700 for slide, 6x6 and, 6x7.
Is there a decent strip scanner for around $500?
Primarily for use with B+W.
One that can keep the rolls intact (un-cut) would be best of course.
 
Plustek?

Plustek?

What about the Plustek scanners? I see that the latest iteration is the 7600. Is that a viable choice?

Cheers...

Rem
 
If you are looking for a dedicated 35mm film scanner and not some flatbed the choices are very limited. I have the Minolta Diamage Scan Elite 5400 V1 and like it very much. You can only find both the V1 and V2 version secondhand now. Nikon seems to be the only other alternative for new or used. Unfortunately I think it is a case of get them now while you still can before they disappear altogether.

Bob
 
I've not heard much about the Plustek scanners. I'm curious about them though.

I recently purchased a V500 and was extremely dissatisfied with its performance on 35mm. Especially after having experience with the Nikon 9000 and the Minolta ScanDual scanners. The Minoltas are awesome.

So, I decided to keep the V500 just to have a flatbed, and for use with medium format stuff. But, to get to the point, I picked up a Microtek 4000tf dedicated 35mm scanner on craigslist. It seems to be great. It doesn't have digital ICE, but that was a compromise I was willing to make for the $250 I paid for it. It's not the fastest scanner in the world either. The scans are great.
 
radambe said:
I've not heard much about the Plustek scanners. I'm curious about them though.
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Me too. Here's the thing. The Plustek comes with some pretty prodigious specs, and the thought is not lost on me that if this scanner performs as well, or nearly as well, as a 9000 that that would be a bit of an embarrassment to those who bought the 9000, especially considering the fact that the 7500 can be had for under $500. Having said that I also subscribe to the idea that if something appears to be too good to be true...it probably is. I'm just looking for a little enlightenment here, but apparently none of the RFF group has any experience with this scanner. Let's see if anything comes of this.

Cheers...

Rem
 
The Plustek is a pretty good scanner for about $200 @ Amazon. One scan at a time but the results are acceptable. The software had a steep learning curve (silver something I think) so I used vuescan. I sold mine and went back to a V300 which I like very much. I only shoot35mm anyway.
 
Mr. Remegius -

A couple of months ago one of the photo rags, either Popular Photography or Shutterbug did a review of this scanner. Based on their review and the software provided with this unit, I am ordering mine from B&H today.

R /
 
remegius said:
You are referring to the 7300. The 7500I Ai sells for $487, and that is the one that I am very interested in learning about.

Cheers...

Rem
Click to expand...

Correct, I had the 7300 which was quite good. It was the silverfast software that concerned me. It seemed like I was scanning into a version of PS.
Too many ways of doing the same thing.
The 7500I Ai still does one scan at a time.
 
rovnguy said:
A couple of months ago one of the photo rags, either Popular Photography or Shutterbug did a review of this scanner. Based on their review and the software provided with this unit, I am ordering mine from B&H today.

R /
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Thanks for the heads up. I shall try and check that out. And do post your findings once you have a chance to familiarize yourself with the scanner. Who knows, I just might end up doing the same thing.

Cheers...

Rem
 
remegius said:
I know that this has been tossed around before, and recently, on a number of occasions, but I want to be specific here. I use a V500, and as I have stated elsewhere it is a very capable little scanner when used with 120 film. It just doesn't have it, for me, when it comes to 35mm. So...I have decided that I am going to get a dedicated 35mm scanner, and am looking for suggestions. I decidedly cannot afford a Nikon 9000, and anything I consider will have to be under $1K. So if the scanning community can put up with yet another "which scanner" thread I would love to hear your opinions.

Cheers...

Rem
Click to expand...

I really like my Minolta Dimage 5400 Elite II. You might find a used one or new old stock on ebay. Great quality images, although like so many scanners it's slow. I'm inferring that you want higher quality rather than higher speed, from your comment. I also (for higher speed) got a used Sony UY-S90 on ebay. Lightning fast, does uncut rolls of 35mm film and large stacks of slides. However, it's for previewing and cataloging film. When I find a good one I rescan it with the Minolta and am very happy.

Tom
 
Coolscan 4000, came with Firewire card, AFAIK, it is the same as the 5000, except Firewire in place of USB. Basically, if I can use it, anyone should be able to use it. Accessories seem to be the same.

I upgraded the firmware from the Nikon site, downloaded the newer Nikon software, modified the standard strip feeder to take full rolls, and I bought the Slide Feeder. Still, the price is often low due to it being Firewire, and an "older" model.

With some of you guys and knowing your tech curve is higher, it should do anything you need for 35mm.

Worked well with batch scan for the slides I wanted to keep, has some quirks but nothing the average user should not be able to deal with, and the quality of the scan is very good.

I need a new desktop, and if I do not find one with Firewire, then I will need one with a slot for the card that came with the 4000, or a new card.

Someone who knows what they are doing should be able to find their pet scanning software and make it pretty painless, especially for uncut rolls.

The Coolscan 8000 also is a Firewire scanner, it would be smart to grab these before they become extinct, IMO.

A guy walked in to a camera show to sell it, and I gave him $50 more than the others were offering, and it was still virtually a free price, was in the box with all original accessories. Makes up in part for the rest of the stuff I end up buying. ;-) I caught him when he was changing technologies. Some of the older models which can be very good sell in the $100 range.

Regards, John
 
I have the 7500i that I use for silver B&W. I scan at 3600dpi and get excellent results, much better than what I get with my Epson V750. The Epson is great up to 8x enlargement in my opinion, good up to 10x. To get an excellent 16x20 from 35mm, the Plustek is fine, but not the Epson. But then, many people, me included, would much prefer medium format for such large prints.

I print up to 12x18. What the Plustek gives for that kind of enlargement is a much better grain rendition, making it actually finer than the result of a heavily sharpened Epson scan.
 
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