Reflecta MF5000. Might be the scanner in my future?

[kyler.]

Hi everyone,
after recently getting into film I am in search of a decent, well priced scanner.
my requirements for this scanner is that it takes 35mm and medium format, has very good quality, and is easy to use.
Of course I would like this to not break the bank. Just looking at the price of used coolscan 9000's scares me.
I am looking at the new reflecta MF5000 that is coming out in a few months and was wondering if anybody knows something about this scanner?
or if anybody has any other suggestions for a scanner that fits my bill.

Thanks,
Kyle

 

[kyler.]

here are some links that I found with some information about the scanner.

http://translate.google.com/transla...=en&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivnsfd

http://photo.net/digital-darkroom-forum/00Xv3Q

 

[venchka]

...
I am looking at the new reflecta MF5000 that is coming out in a few months and was wondering if anybody knows something about this scanner?
or if anybody has any other suggestions for a scanner that fits my bill.

Thanks,
Kyle

How are we supposed to know anything? I'm reminded of the Microtek M1 model that was delayed for years. Finally introduced. Then pulled from the market in less than a year. Then reintroduced about a year later. I don't know what it's status is now.
Year in. Year out. It's hard to beat the quality & service behind the product offered by Epson. Including up to date drivers for 10 year models. Like my Epson Expression 1680 Professional.

 

[mtargz]

Reflecta's 35mm dedis are great - if it's anything like an upscaled version of their previous models, then put me down for one of these and a Pentax 67.

The only thing stopping me from buying an MF camera is the price of scanning that film. A Reflecta in MF would mean absolute freedom.

 

[Mablo]

The new Reflecta MF5000 scanner doesn't seem to include a negative holder for medium format negatives. It sounds crazy but go on and read the specs. You'll find the link below. It does include a 'positive' holder for MF chromes with frames but that's not going to help me at all.

https://reflecta-shop.de/uploads/files/20100924114518_Datenblatt-Mittelformatscanner-englisch.pdf

 

[venchka]

This...

Acessory: filmholder for 4 framed
slides to 3,2 mm thickness, filmholder
for filmstripes with up to 6 pictures
· 1 medium format holder for 1-2 slides
6x4,5 cm / 1-2 slides 6x6 cm / 1 slide
6x7 cm,/ 6x8 cm / 6x9 cm

...and the 1,500 Euro pricetag = Fail.

 

[sevo]

The new Reflecta MF5000 scanner doesn't seem to include a negative holder for medium format negatives.

That is rather unlikely - the "slide" holder it is specified for several formats that have never been used as framed slides, and will probably be a strip holder or glass carrier of some kind.

 

[Mablo]

Well, my german might be a bit rusty but still:

"Mit dem ersten reflecta Mittelformatscanner ist es nun möglich, außer 35 mm auch 120/220 mm, 6x4,5, 6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9 (Positiv) zu scannen"

Why they keep on insisting on positives?

 

[venchka]

That is rather unlikely - the "slide" holder it is specified for several formats that have never been used as framed slides, and will probably be a strip holder or glass carrier of some kind.

6x7 slide mounts are still on the market. Box of 10 for $27.99. As are 6x4.5 & 6x6.

http://www.calumetphoto.com/eng/product/gepe_anti_newton_slide_mount_6x7_10_box/gm2701

http://www.calumetphoto.com/eng/browse/categories/albums-presentation/presentation-storage/slide-projectors-mounts/slide-mounts?brandSelected=

Possibly that's the only way to keep the film flat. The Nikon 8000/9000 worked best with a glass holder. Their way places the onus on the user to provide a glass holder. Which makes me want the Betterscanning holder for medium format film to use in my Epson.

 

[sevo]

Well, my german might be a bit rusty but still:

"Mit dem ersten reflecta Mittelformatscanner ist es nun möglich, außer 35 mm auch 120/220 mm, 6x4,5, 6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9 (Positiv) zu scannen"

Why they keep on insisting on positives?

That rather sounds as if it had some reflected light/print option as an extra. Slides ("Dias") usually are not called "Positiv" in common German language use - but it is a common term for prints. And the 120/220 sounds very much like a strip option.

We'll see. Even in the worst case, they might make strip holders an option, but they'll hardly supply a version of Silverfast relieved of its slide scanning abilities - and whether slide or negative is purely a matter of the software.

The real question is whether the thing will be good enough to warrant the price (and hence, to survive the flatbed competition) - it must be able to get a optical resolution very close to the physical scan line resolution, i.e. quality levels close to the Nikons, or it will be too close to the V750, which also does large format and print scanning, at half the price. Going by what they delivered in the past, that would be a considerable step upwards in their scanner designs...

 

[Jamie123]

That rather sounds as if it had some reflected light/print option as an extra. Slides ("Dias") usually are not called "Positiv" in common German language use - but it is a common term for prints. And the 120/220 sounds very much like a strip option.

I've heard "Diapositiv" in German use before. Not exactly common but I've definitely heard it.

I still don't get what the confision is about. It clearly says "filmholder
for filmstripes with up to 6 pictures" which surely means negatives and positives. It seems that they then use the word "slide" where they mean "frame" but that's most likely just a bad translation.

 

[sevo]

I've heard "Diapositiv" in German use before. Not exactly common but I've definitely heard it.

Absolutely, but it is verging on the archaic and nowadays generally abbreviated to "Dia", while "Positiv" means print.

 

[venchka]

Read post #6.

 

[berlincontemporary]

Well, my german might be a bit rusty but still:

"Mit dem ersten reflecta Mittelformatscanner ist es nun möglich, außer 35 mm auch 120/220 mm, 6x4,5, 6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9 (Positiv) zu scannen"

Why they keep on insisting on positives?

"Positiv" may just be unprecise for transparency material, rather than reflective. Anything else doesnt make sense to me.

 

[wblynch]

...and the 1,500 Euro pricetag = Fail.

I am interested to buy this but my absolute limit will be $749 USD.

At 1,500 Euros it will fail.

It seems because the Nikon 9000 was so pricey and is now out of production they think they can get away with insane pricing.

This is "Reflecta" not Nikon, Minolta or Imacon.

 

[DrTebi]

I also got into film less than two years ago, and needed a scanner that supported 35mm as well as medium format. I eventually bought a Minolta Dimage Scan Multi Pro. It supposedly scans about as good as a Nikon Coolscan 9000. I have never been able to make a direct comparison, but I am quite happy with the scanner. I got the Minolta scanner for about $600, but it seems that prices went up. You would have to wait until a reasonably priced one comes up on eBay.

It is also frequently reported that the Epson V750 delivers great results. I have seen quite a few full-size scans online, and they looked very good. This scanner is a flatbed, and could therefore serve double-duty as a regular scanner, or--if you get deeper and deeper into film photography--for your 4x5 negs of your future large format camera 🙂 However, prices for this scanner are quite reasonable, so this might be a good choice for you.

You can find quite a few elaborate scanner tests on this site:
http://filmscanner.info/en/

Depending on how much you shoot, you may also consider to have your film developed and scanned by a lab. I have tried a few different ones, and NCPS (http://www.northcoastphoto.com) have so far delivered the greatest results. Dwayne's (http://www.dwaynesphoto.com) is also a great choice--their scans are not as big as the ones from NCPS, but they are quite good and dirt cheap.

If you intent to get absolutely the best from that one special neg/slide, for a huge print or pixel-peeping satisfaction, you might want to get a drumscan. Weldon Color Lab (http://www.weldoncolorlab.com/drumscans.php) is the lab that I would try out... they have one of the best scanners that was ever made and their prices look reasonable (for a drum scan, that is).

Last but not least, don't forget that you can also project slides. If your medium format is 6x6, you will probably be able to find a good deal on a medium format slide projector. I have a Rollei P66, and it's absolutely fantastic to view MF slides on a huge screen.

 

[starless]

An new article on the MF5000:

http://www.bjp-online.com/british-j...ue+to Digital:+Reflecta+MF5000+scanner+tested