First let me address the last part of your post. Good scanning software should provide the tools to adjust and correct the values in an image based on the preview (interactively) so when the final scan is made the image file essentially does not require any further adjustment other than minor tweaking.

Second the Minolta Scan Elite 5400 II 35mm film scanner is no longer made and available, except an occasional used one on e-Bay usually priced at much more than the scanner cost new.

Third, the Nikon 5000 is just a 4000dpi scanner with very mediocre software for a price that is excessively high. So I declined testing and reviewing the scanner, and do not recommend it.

That leaves the Epson Perfection V750M Pro which I reported on recently in Shutterbug: http://www.shutterbug.net/equipmentreviews/scanners_printers/1106epson/index.html

I have the Coolscan 5000 (actually two Coolscan 5000's) and I use it every day to scan 35mm slides. My goal is to batch scan and capture the unprocessed information which I have my methods of color correcting in Photoshop afterwards. The version of digital ice in the Nikon software is much better than previous versions of ice in that it doesn't soften the image. But, it doesn't work with Kodachrome or black and white negative film. So if you wanted to scan transparencies, it would be the best option available today, especially with the bulk feeder. But scanning black and white film is more work because the negative strips have to be inserted into the film carrier so that the frames are positioned between the guides. Easy but time consuming and working on a light table makes it easier to position the film correctly.

There is an optional accessory that allows you to scan single frames of cut film using the transparency adapter instead of the film strip adapter. If you aren't scanning every frame, I recommend purchasing it.

I think it's the best 35mm film scanner available for under $5000. and if you don't like Nikon's software, you can purchase VueScan.

Hello David:

I certainly hope there is still some interest in this thread as I am currently in the market for a slide / film scanner and since the introduction of the Epson Perfection v750, my earlier decision to buy the Nikon Coolscan ED 5000 is in question. My dilemna... I have several thousand slides that I would like to archive. All are shot using Velvia or Provia 100 slide film. I typically enlarge to anywhere from 16 x 20 (13 x 19) to 20 x 30. I guess the issue is which of these will give a sufficient quality scan to enable prints of this size with minimal distortion, or loss of clarity. I intend to move into digital so there is that economic issue as well. Do I spend $1400 or $800 to accomplish the same result.

I notice that you did not review the Nikon CoolScan. A personal friend has the 4000 and I have used it to scan other slides with fairly decent results.... for those, however, that I market, I would like greater resolution etc..

Advice would be greatly appreciated. Also if you know of any other professional reviews or comparisons of these scanner, I would be forever indebted.

Thanks again,
Suse

Suse,

For the print sizes you specified, to 20x30 inches, I would like to recommend the scanner I use, the Minolta Scan Elite 5400 II, but so far since Sony bought the Minolta photo assets, they have not been interested in continuing manufacture of this scanner. I hope they change their minds.

The Nikon CoolScan is limited to 4000dpi which is really not enough for scanning slides as far as I am concerned. The new epson V700 scanner with a film scanning resolution of 6400dpi is a better option, but somewhat compromised by the fact it is not a dedicated film scanner, it's a flatbed. Although that compromise is not nearly as great as it used to be.

So, the bottom line is really a balance between the CoolScan and its high price, rather klutzy software and limited resolution or the Epson V700 with better resolution, and what I consider much better software in Lasersoft SilverFast. And, unless you are planning on scanning medium format black&white film you can go for the less costly Epson V700 rather than the V750M Pro and just upgrade silverFast SE to SilverFast Ai 6.5 and save a few bucks in total cost.