N
nei1
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WTT:-Konica Minolta Dimage Scan Elite 5400 II
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I'e owned and used a Dimage 5400 model I and Model II extensively. I've also used a Minolta Scan Multi Pro for 5 years and tested extensively a Coolscan 5000 and 8000. I have yet to note any "grain clumping" on any of these scanners. What one does need to realize is that these are CCD scanners and each pixel (dot) is a little square and you can get a more grainy looking "pattern" from scanning some areas of certain films with CCD based scanners. Only with a drum scanner can you avoid this issue completely by adjusting the aperture of the PMT.Im going by Sean Reids review where he explains that the resolution has to be high enough to avoid a sort of grain clumping effect with b&w.
The 5400 model II has a different light source - it's a white LED and it's slightly less ideal than the cold cathode light source for B&W - gives a slightly grittier effect - but it is also a little sharper. The model II is way quicker than the model I - in fact, it's so much faster I sold my model I immediately. I'd definitely recommend you throw your money at a model II - it is simply, IMO, the best 35mm scanner ever made. It's tested resolution is over 100LP/MM (on my tests) - very close to it's theoretical maximum of 106. The boxed software does an excellent job of negative scans. For scanning transparencies, I'd recommend getting a target and making a custom profile.The cold cathode light source helps too.
it is simply, IMO, the best 35mm scanner ever made.