Minolta film scanner vs. Epson v500 or V700, or other?

I've heard the stories of something about how the gears on the Minolta scanners tend to break, but not sure if they're true. I've seen the Minolta film scanners on eBay, and considering picking one up. Anything I should be wary of? Any particular model I should pin my hopes on? I am preferring the best scanner within the under $1,000 price range. I am looking to start using medium format in the future, but already using 35mm.

Well, if I were to start medium format photography today I would definetly consider the soon to come Reflecta MF5000 filmscanner, that can scan 120 film up to 6x9 just as the similar Minolta and Nikon film scanners. This scanner will fill a void in the (ever so small) market of reasonable priced medium format film scanners.

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I would get a Coolscan 9000 ED while you still can. It's available new, it's known, and it is extremely good.

eibr said:

Well, if I were to start medium format photography today I would definetly consider the soon to come Reflecta MF5000 filmscanner, that can scan 120 film up to 6x9 just as the similar Minolta and Nikon film scanners. This scanner will fill a void in the (ever so small) market of reasonable priced medium format film scanners.

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It is fantastic to see a new product in this area but it doesn't seem like it will threaten the Coolscan. It is lower in published dpi and dmax. It doesn't seem to mention a holder for 120 film strips (only slides -- and I would argue that 120 film is less often slide mounted than 35mm). The 35mm slide holder is 4 slides vs. the Coolscan 5 slide holder. The 35mm strip holder is 6 frame vs. 12 frame on the Coolscan. It uses white LED lamp and colour sensor which is less likely to seperate colours as cleanly as the three colour LEDs (plus IR) and mono sensor in the Coolscan.

Of course it can benefit from newer electronics but I will be very surprised if the mechanical and optical components will be built the the high standards set by the Coolscan and that certainly has implications for long-term durability.

Anyway, we shall see. I'm sure there will be some tests after a production version is released.

Sam

I have had 2 Minolta Scan Elite 5400. These are 35mm scanners only so if you are serious about Medium Format and don't want a second scanner look out for the Minolta Multi Pro. I'm not sure you will get one for your budget however.

As for the gears in the Minolta, I had quite a lot of problems with my first unit. It would tend to jam and the film carrier would slip. This was a particular problem when I used Grain disolve and also got worse the more scans I did. I also read about others having the same problem.

In the end I solved it by buying a new film carrier. It must have been some kind of expansion problem when the film carrier heated up. Using the new carrier I never had the problem again and the new unit is also excellent.

If you are wondering why I have had 2, I sold the first one as I was seduved by the marketing hype of the V700 as I also shoot medium format. I never managed to get a good 35mm scan so bought another minolta.