LaserSoft Imaging

I bought an Agfa Duoscan in the 80's when it was a top rated machine and I used it to create many catalogs and things almost entirely from 2 1/4 and 4x5 transparencies. It did a very good job paying for itself many times over but it is not very good for 35mm and I have 35 years worth of 35 mm Kodachromes mostly of nature subjects that I want to be able to get EXCELLENT (publishing quality) scans from. Everything I've read points to the Silverfast scanning software but I am confused about the hardware. I've read that old Minoilta 5400II is a great scanner but the prices now are more than when they were new and I wonder about servicing one should it break. Nikon V, 5000, and later models seem to all get good reviews and then there is the Plustek that comes bundled with Silverfast. Not to mention the Epson V700/750, Reflecta and a few others. My question, Should I go with the Nikon and if so would the Nikon V be a good choice or should I look at the new Plustek???? Very confusing! I am attracted by the price of the Plustek bundle but will I be happy with the results?

Dear Bulos,

When it comes to scanners, you really get what you pay for. If you want to obtain the best quality of your pictures, you should go for a film scanner (not a flat bed) and then prepare to spend 2000 and more dollars. Do not buy the Minolta, not only servicing can be a problem but also support in future operating systems.

Cheers

Alejandro thanks for the advice. I got 2 notifications about this post one said it was accepted the other that it was denied. Regardless I am communicating with you now and that's great. The Nikon CoolScan V ED scanners are pretty much within my budget would that be a good choice? Should I spring for the Silverfast software and Kodachrome profiling stuff they offer? What would be the best way to go for $1000 USA?

Dear Bulos,

I am not in the US,but i am sure that is a good price, in Europe you wouldn't get one of those scanners with SilverFast and profiling package for less than 1500 euros (aprox. 2000 Dollars).
Make sure they sell you silverFast 6.5 or 6.6 with your scanner, older versions won't work with the latest operating systems and it will require to purchase an upgrade.

Cheers

For publishing quality scan, go with the Nikon 9000. It does much much better than the 5000 or the 8000 and other earlier models. It appears that the light source is a little more diffuse and this helps getting detail out of the darker portions of images and avoids the problems of the LED sources. The other models have a much harder light and tend to show all of the minor defects in the transparency surface. This required ICE (or iSRD) either of which show some degree of softening of the image to deal with the defects. You would have to decide what is adequate quality.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum ... ic=45457.0

for an example.