Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/09/13

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: Re: [Leica] Minolta 5400 scanner
From: "David Freedman" <dpfreedman@worldnet.att.net>
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 18:29:04 -0700
References: <000a01c37954$41454ba0$6401a8c0@dorysrusp4>

Well, I've owned an Elite Scan 5400 for all of four days now so my
observations should be taken as preliminary.  To cut to the chase, my
results in scanning a mere handful of transparencies have been absolutely
stunning.  Far superior to the results I've been getting with my Nikon
LS-2000.  Scans have been extremely sharp and dynamic range appears to be
excellent. Physical unit is long (approx. 13 inches) and lean (maybe 2-1/2
inches).  Build quality (externally, at least) is excellent. The scanner
connects to the computer via IEEE 1394 (aka "Firewire") or USB 2.0.  I'm
using USB.  Software installation was a breeze.  Scanning software can be
used as a standalone utility or accessed through Photoshop "import"
function.  The scan utility is very easy to use.  There's also an express
version of the scan utility that operates in wizard-like fashion.  You
answer a few on-screen questions and the scan is performed.  The unit comes
with two film holders: one for unmounted media (6 frame strips) and one for
mounted media (4 transparencies).  The scanner creates an on-screen
thumbnail index of images in the film holder.  I haven't played with the
various image cleanup utilities such as the grain dissolver, Pixel Polish,
or ICE.  Note that a 5400 dpi resolution (actually, PPI), a 35mm frame will
generate a 116 MB file. YIKES!  However, output at 240 - 300 dpi, you'll get
yourself a man-sized print without interpolation.  Minolta also provides
Photoshop Elements 2.0 in the software bundle which is a very nice product
when industrial strength image manipulation is not required.  I purchased my
5400 from Page Computers (www.pagecomputers.com).  Price was $797 + a few
dollars for shipping. I received the scanner in 3 days.  There seems to be
some price volatility with the 5400.  Page has the price up a few dollars
today to $801 and it had been around $789 at one point a week or two back.

Hope this helps.  I'd be happy to answer any specific questions about the
5400 though it might be best to continue off-list as this is somewhat off
topic.

Dave F.
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Dory" <dorysrus@mindspring.com>
To: <Leica-Users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2003 10:35 AM
Subject: [Leica] Minolta 5400 scanner


> Jim Hemenway had inquired about the Minolta 5400 scanner.  It uses a
> fixed three line CCD and moves the film past the sensor.  Therefore I
> suspect that it will do a very respectable job on B&W negatives with the
> ASF functions turned off.
>
> Any one out there actually own one of these?  It is available in the UK
> for 529 pounds so the days of the Coolscan dominance may be over if it
> performs up to the specs.
>
> Don
> dorysrus@mindspring.com
>
>
> --
> To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html
>


- --
To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html

Replies: Reply from Mark Rabiner <mark@rabinergroup.com> (Re: [Leica] Minolta 5400 scanner)