Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Digital Image Processing => Topic started by: vaphoto on August 01, 2006, 01:07:20 pm

Title: 35mm Slide Scanners
Post by: vaphoto on August 01, 2006, 01:07:20 pm

I am looking for a good 35mm slide scanner and the Konica-Minolta 5400-II looks like a good fit. However, I am concerned about buying something by a company that is no longer in business. Does anyone know the status of the Konica-Minolta's scanner business?
The Nikon Coolscan 4000 seems to be my other option.
Thanks
vaphoto

Title: 35mm Slide Scanners
Post by: situgrrl on August 01, 2006, 01:36:03 pm

The Speedgraphic catalogue says that KM scanners will not be updated.  I don't know the situation RE support but Sony are dutybound to provide warranty repair.

Has anyone used a slide duplicator on a dslr for this purpose?  I'm panicking now I've left Cardiff and the people who've looked after my scanning.  I've considered an Epson V700 and 4990 (can't afford a Nikon!) but cannot get 35mm strips flat - the result being they lack focus.

Title: 35mm Slide Scanners
Post by: Mark D Segal on August 02, 2006, 10:26:39 pm

I own a KM 5400 - it's a great scanner, and they have made arrangements for repair service if needed. That much said, based on reviews and other information, if I were going into the market now I would probably buy a comparable Nikon product, such as the 4000 or one up.

Title: 35mm Slide Scanners
Post by: Ray on August 03, 2006, 12:51:51 am

I'm an owner of the 5400 ll. I find it extracts more detail than my Nikon 8000 ED, as one might expect, and I prefer to use the KM scanner for all 35mm film.

One major issue in my view, if one has a lot of film that needs archiving, is when to do it seriously and finally? What the 5400 ll produces is a great step up from my first scanner the Nikon LS 2000, just as the 8000 ED was also a lesser step up.

I'm reluctant to keep rescanning the same stuff. Perhaps the 5400 ll is the pinnacle of affordable 35mm film scanners. Tell me it is so.  

Title: 35mm Slide Scanners
Post by: Per Ofverbeck on August 03, 2006, 05:31:14 am

Another happy 5400 user.  Honestly I am none too worried; there will probably be no software updates, but I never liked the bundled software anyhow.  As long as Vuescan still supports the model, I´m happy.

As for repair service, I haven´t needed it so far.  As situgrrl says, it should still be possible to get it repaired for a few more years (and after that, it is outdated...).