Nikon CoolScan 2000 or Plustek Opticfilm 7600I Ai

oleg C · 07-31-2010

Have a chance to buy Nikon CoolScan 2000 in working condition for a $150 or should I go for a new Plustek Opticfilm 7600I Ai for a $499. Can't decide what to do...

mathomas · 07-31-2010

SCSI interface would probably knock the CoolScan out of the running for me. I have a PlusTek 7300, and it is fine for my needs (except I wish I could magically scan 120 in it).

amateriat · 07-31-2010

If it wasn't for the SCSI-interface thing, I might go for the Nikon, but Nikon also had some issues with that model. Between its checkered history and the likely mileage accrued on the one you're looking at, I'd say "pass."

I have no opinion on the current Plusteks, although their past track record hasn't been too shabby. The good thing about buying new is that if you decide it's not working for you, you have a small window of time to send it back for a refund. How it works out overall depends on your experience and standards.

- Barrett

Lilserenity · 08-01-2010

I've never had issues with my Coolscan 2000 (LS2000) but they do need some TLC with relubrication of the running gear by about now which can be done (check ebay.com there is someone who advertises a servicing service for Coolscan III/LS2000s) -- but the SCSI interface can be a stumbling block.

I use my LS2000 on Windows Vista and Vuescan, works great, and a superb scanner. Beats anything a flatbed can do despite now being 12 years old. It also has digital ICE which makes scanning quicker and a automatic strip film feeder.

The SCSI interface can be a stumbling block, oddly enough sometimes more so on a Mac due to most Macs not having any exapansion slots these days (apart from the Mac Pro) though I have heard people having success with a USB to SCSI adapter (not that cheap.)

I'm still using the basic SCSI card that came with my Coolscan III when I had one of them and Adaptec had drivers for it that work on Windows XP/Vista/7.

The biggest thing is that the NikonScan 3 software is good as useless on anything newer than Windows 7/Mac OS 9 so you will need VueScan or similar.

Vicky

oleg C · 08-01-2010

googling the SCSI-interface thing now..

oleg C · 08-01-2010

Ok I see, the SCSI-interface + my new Mac Book Pro sounds like a bit of a bad combination..

.. Looks like I will end up with Plustek. Would love to get a CoolScan 9000.. ahh.. but the $1800 difference with Plustek is a half price of 35mm lux, which I really like to get as well. Thanks heaps for your advise.

Fujitsu · 08-01-2010

The Plustek 7600 is good. I wouldnt hassle with a ten (?) year old Coolscan (or any other consumer electronic device of this age). Nikons D1 is ten years old by now and was the hottest thing back in 2000. IQ is worse than anything you can buy new today.

oleg C · 08-01-2010

One of my Mac Books lasted me for a 6 years!! Staff in the Apple store couldn't believe they eyes.. That was one of the not many happy experiences with electronic equipment I had in my life. Another reason I got MP. $150 is not that much, but will Coolscan 2000 give me a better quality scans then Plustek? I don't know..

mathomas · 08-01-2010

It may not be saying much, but I get similar or better scans from my PlusTek than I do from my local lab (probably just a matter of control, similar to when you make your own prints vs. a lab).

semilog · 08-01-2010

I'm still using a Polaroid Sprintscan 4000 with a SCSI adaptor on my Mac. It's a PITA but I put up with it because the scans are very good and I don't want to get another scanner yet. I'd get the Plustek from Amazon because of their return policy, try it out, and see what you think. Personally, I really like VueScan and if I do get another scanner I'll continue to use it as the interface. The Plusteks come with Silverfast, and some people really like that software.

amateriat · 08-01-2010

A Little update here: I was given a Nikon Coolscan III a few months back (unbeknownst to me, the companion scanner to the LS2000, unless I'm mistaken). Since my Power Mac G4 tower (MDD, FW800, 1.42GhZ DP) is ties up with two scanners already (Minolta 5400 via EireWire, UMAX PowerLook 2100XL flatbed via SCSI), the Nikon gets lashed to my PowerBook G4 via an Adaptec SCSI-USB adapter, which actually works most of the time. There exists, in fact, a SCSI-Firewire adapter as well, but that's even more pricey than the SCSI-USB option. I'm told that it works at least as well, so this helps keep otherwise-useful gear out of the landfill.

(The Nikon/PowerBook combo is used for quick-and-not-quite-dirty scan jobs, like something I'm eager to get online fast. The results are usually a good deal better than that.)

Fixed Flags, Lower Manhattan, July 2010

(Technical: Contax Tvs, Kodak BW400CN)

- Barrett

250swb · 08-01-2010

Here is a good review of the Plustek, compared with the Nikon 5000 and Epson V700, download the .pdf file for the full review

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/re.../plustek.shtml

From my reading of the examples in the .pdf the Plustek seems like a fine scanner, although neither was head and shoulders better than the Epson! Certainly with 'futurebility' in mind and new software and operating systems to blend with the Plustek seems like the safest bet to me for a dedicated film scanner.

Steve

oleg C · 08-02-2010

Thank you all for your comments. Now I have a chance to "try before I buy" Coolscan 2000, as it's a local sale, which is great. Will see if it works..

Barrett, I really like that image.. Tonality and feel of movement are just great. I wonder if Plustek can produce as much shadow detail..

semilog · 08-02-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by oleg C

... I wonder if Plustek can produce as much shadow detail..

When scanning negs, highlight detail is the usually the issue, not shadow.

oleg C · 08-17-2010

Ok, latest update. Got Coolscan home to try, googled for SCSI to USB CONVERTERS and WOW!! AUS $ 130!! I can't believe it.. Plus would need to spend about $50 on VueScan.. So after all I think I'll follow your above advise and go for the Plustek. The only thing I'm not sure about is which one is to go for, Plustek OpticFilm 7600i SE or 7600i Ai...

corot · 08-17-2010

Oleg,

According to the Silverfast website, if I've got this right, the SE software is labelled "beginner", while the Ai software is labelled "expert" (the next level is "professional").

From the specs, the 7600i Ai comes with a colour calibration slide which is not mentioned under the specs for the SE: this may make a difference for you.

I've just received the 7600i Ai, and it seems to be delivering good results even on basic scans.

oleg C · 08-17-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by corot

Oleg,

According to the Silverfast website, if I've got this right, the SE software is labelled "beginner", while the Ai software is labelled "expert" (the next level is "professional").

From the specs, the 7600i Ai comes with a colour calibration slide which is not mentioned under the specs for the SE: this may make a difference for you.

I've just received the 7600i Ai, and it seems to be delivering good results even on basic scans.

I think I'll go for a AI..