Nikon CoolScan 9000 ED Pricing

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning;

One of my anticipated purchases is a Nikon CoolScan 9000 ED with the capability of going up to 6 cm by 6 cm Medium Format negatives.

My copy of the B & H catalog just came. The 9000 ED has gone from $ 1800 up to $ 2100.

It is still probably less than what it will be purchasing it from one of the shops out here in Latte Land, but a 16 per cent increase is still noticeable. If gr82bart will permit some whining in his forum, I wish my retirement check had an increase like that.

 

[gr82bart]

Whine away! We're here to be sounding boards for each other ...

Although I have to ask: Why such a high end scanner? What a Microtek http://www.microtekusa.com/ ? Or an Epson? Just curious.

Regards, Art.

 

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning, Art;

I have just looked at the Microtek s450. $ 100? How do they do that? The only thing I might need to find is a film holder for 120 film and for 4 by 5 film. That certainly is impressive. Again, how do they do that with that resolution?

If this really does work, why is Nikon raising their price? How much longer will Nikon be selling theirs if someone is able to do the same thing for only five percent (5%) of the Nikon price? What am I not seeing here?

 

[Jon King]

Hi Ralph,

I've been longing for a Nikon 9000 (or 8000) myself, and also noticed the price increase - the weak dollar over the summer and fall is to blame, I'd guess.

I've gotten scans from a Nikon 9000, and have done plenty of 120 film scans on Epson flatbeds (2450/4990). If you're looking for web quality scans, I think the flatbed does fine. When I was looking to print 8x10 or larger, I found much more detail in the Nikon scans to work with, no matter what the scanning resolution, Dmax, etc, might have suggested. There is a good bit out on the web about the scan quality differences between flatbed and dedicated film scanners. My experiences confirm the general opinion.

Perhaps you can find a pro lab using a Nikon 9000, scan a few negatives, then maybe even buy the Microtek and scan the same negatives. If you don't see a difference, you just saved a bundle of money

 

[gr82bart]

Hi Ralph,

Well I was thinking more on the Microtek M1 or the Epson 750 - around the $600-700 range. Though a $100 scanner is interesting now that I've found a scanning rental place in NYC. Like any digital technology, scanning technology I think increases every year, so a $2000 scanner a couple years ago would have the same quality as a $500 scanner today - don't know for sure, just a hunch I have.

I can't even begin to rationalize pricing.

What is lacking, is extensive up-to-date scanner reviews like one would see of digital cameras on sites like DP Review. So far the only reviews I have seen are of older version scanners and people posting on forums their anecdotal evidence, many with suspect testing methodologies.

I use an Epson 4990 that I bought for $400 I think some 5-6 years ago. This csanner has given me decent enough scans for inkjet negs and chromogenic pints from a Lambda or Lightjet. But, I don't print anything larger than 10x10. Maybe if I needed to print larger, I would re-evaluate.

Anyway, my post is just farting out some thoughts.

Regards, Art.