ScanView ScanMate 5000 Instructions

[countingaces]

Hi DPUG! I have an opportunity to purchase a ScanView ScanMate 5000 for $1,200 with a Mac computer to run it on and software, and I have a few questions for the DPUG community before I buy.

First, is this an appropriate price to pay for an older scanner? I know drum scanners are the beezneez of film scanning and nothing holds a candle to their performance (not trying to incite an argument with Imacon users), but is $1,200 fair?

Secondly, I've read so many forums stating that drum scanning has a high learning curve, but nowhere do I see documentation on actually learning how to drum scan. Does anyone know of a good resource for learning to become a proficient drum scanner? Maybe a current ScanView ScanMate 5000 user could generously detail their methods? I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[L Gebhardt]

I have a ScanMate 5000. I think $1200 is a fair price for a working setup, especially if it comes with Color Quartet software. The ColorTrio is free, but only does 8bit scans.

 

[countingaces]

Gebhardt, thank you for the price info. I really appreciate it.

Any advice on use or is this a trial by fire experiment?

 

[L Gebhardt]

Gebhardt, thank you for the price info. I really appreciate it.

Any advice on use or is this a trial by fire experiment?

You need to learn to mount film to the drum. I watched a few videos, but in the end I had to develop the technique I use myself, and I'm not sure I can explain it well. I suspect I'm not nearly as efficient as others, so you probably want to hear from some experts.

As far as scanning, I think it will depend on the software you are using. I use the ColorQuartet software on a PC. It is really quirky, and every time I think I have a process down that works for every image, one comes along and makes me change. I try to capture the full range of all three color channels and then do the fine tuning work in Photoshop. That works very well for black and white, but color negatives are bit trickier. I don't know if the Mac version of CQ is any easier to use.

 

[lenny]

Try my mounting demo and see if it helps....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APSzB0nX5Vo

Lenny

 

[Kevin]

What is the software like to use? I ask as i bought a screen cezanne elite - great scanner didn't pay a fortune for it - in very good condition too .. but the crappy operating system...aww jeez an early G4 mac using a stone age OS defeated the purpose for me - good luck with it