SilverFast/4000ED/SF-210; how many people are ok?

[Gregory C]

I'm using SilverFast Ai Studio with a Nikon Super Coolscan 4000ED (firewire) and a 50-slide adapter; i.e., the SF-210.

In Batch (File) mode, SilverFast will eject the first slide but not load the second slide. It will hang. This is totally repeatable with both 6.4.4 and 6.5.

I'm wondering if anyone else is seeing the same problem. I also wonder if this problem only affects the 4000ED; i.e., the 5000ED is problem-free.

If you're using a Mac with the 4000ED and the SF-210, please confirm whether batch mode works for you, and please indicate if your Mac is a PowerMac or an Intel (just in case it's a problem with the NikonMaid library).

I reported this problem to Nikon Hong Kong months ago (because Nikon Scan has a similar problem) without any improvement or feedback.

regards,
Gregory

(Mac OS X 10.4.9 on an iMac Core Duo 2GHz 2GB)


P.S. is the NikonMaid library Universal yet?
(Nikon's software development and support for the Mac OS is really miserable!)

[MikeD56]

Gregory,

I have the ED4000 (IV here in the States) but don't have the SF-210. I was looking to buy but during my research I read many posts talking about it having the problem you describe (i.e. ejecting a slide then jamming and not loading the next one). If I remember right, there were many suggested fixes but it seemed that Nikon should have corrected that on it's own. A web search might lead you to the articles. Here are a few examples I found with a quick search
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1007&message=15300370
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=0081CR

Hope this helps

[Gregory C]

Mike,

mine is not a jamming problem. mine is simply a failure after ejecting slide #1 to load slide #2. it's a software problem, not a mechanical problem. I have no problems when using v**s**n. I only have the problem when using Nikon Scan or SilverFast (both use the NikonMaid library).

regards,
Gregory

[LSI_Heidorn]

Dear Gregory,
we are looking at the problem right now.
The 5000 does not seem to have the problem(s) you mention, thats why we couldn't verify your problems before.
By now we got a 4000 from our US branch and as you say it got at least two annoying glitches using the MAID Library...

So right now we are trying to "trick" the MAID commands into working as we will not get support or a new MAID version from Nikon ( as you experienced too ).

v**s**n is working as it bypasses the MAID Interface which we couldn't due to legal reasons.

Greetings,


Nils Heidorn, R & D, LaserSoft Imaging AG

[Gregory C]

Dear Nils,

it's nice to know that you could replicate the bug.

I've tested the software/scanner on both of my Intel Macs. I have yet to test it on my PowerPC iMac. do you know if it affects PowerPC Macs or just Intel Macs?

regards,
Gregory

[LSI_Heidorn]

Dear Gregory,

it seems to be an "intel" Problem as far as our Tests show until now...

Greetings,


Nils Heidorn, R & D, LaserSoft Imaging AG

[Gregory C]

Dear Nils,

I can confirm that. I have just installed and tested SF Ai Studio 6.4.4 on my PowerPC G4 iMac.

Rosetta?

I would prefer to run the program on my main iMac (Core Duo). A fix would be nice.

While I realise that you people will probably work around the problem 'soon', I have once again reported the bug to Nikon via their Asia support site. They guarantee a response to emails within 3 business days although their answer will probably be something akin to "we'll look into it".

regards,
Gregory

[LSI_Heidorn]

Dear Gregory,
thanks for your confirmation !

We asked Nikon ourselves already, but in the last year all of our requests were not very successful to be diplomatic :-)

So i fear the "real" solution --> corrcted MAID drivers are out of question, i hope we can fix it by some kind of workaround, lets see...

Greetings,


Nils Heidorn, R & D, LaserSoft Imaging AG

[degrub]

THat somewhat confirms the rumor that there will be no more scanners out of Nikon. :cry: :wink: