LaserSoft Imaging

Hello, Before I plunk down about $1,000 USD on a Nikon Super Coolscan 5000 ED for scanning approximately 4,000 35mm slides and film images, none of which are Kodachrome, I thought I'd ask to see if anyone had strong feelings one way or the other about this scanner. I did a scan (no pun intended -- ha) of all the LaserSoft forums looking for comments about this scanner and didn't find much, so I'm hoping to hear a few words from those who have experience with this scanner. Thanks! GW

have a scan through
comp.peripherals.scanners ( or something like that ) on the newsgroup archives. Lots of information and opinions. Also have a look at the reviews of the epson 750, nikon etc at
http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/scanners_page.htm

It may also meet your needs unless you need to get the last detail out of dark areas or need large enlargements (greater than 8x10)

Thanks for the information! Will check into it. GW

I have been using this scanner and the SF-210 slide feeder (another $400+), along with Silverfast Ai for 2 years and can give it the highest recommendation. When used with Silverfast the 5000 ED is a very capable, high-level consumer scanner with multi-exposure / multi-sample capability and extraordinary resolution. I have scanned hundreds of Kodachromes, many from the 1940s and 1950s, with uniformly excellent results. I have also scanned thousands of negatives with equally fine results.

Very underexposed images may produce noise, of course, but that would be the result with virtually any scanner; and very grainy film will produce a grainy scan, although GANE can greatly reduce the effects with minimal softening of the image.

The Nikon's resolution is such that in theory you should be able to produce excellent enlargements up to 24" wide with 220+ lines per inch--provided that your images are tack sharp.

Keep in mind that the 5000ED and Silverfast are sophisticated tools that can produce truly outstanding images from sharp, correctly exposed film. But they can also produce awful results when used carelessly or without sufficient preparation. Good luck! :lol: