- Holders very well made - Batch scanning - Multi sample scanning mode - Small size device if we compare to other models available on the market - Fast prescan - Digital ROC & GEM

- Horizontal slot (dust problem) - Final scanning to slow - Holder for medium formats (film between 2 glasses) - Weird lines appearing sometimes on scans (one is Red, one is Green and the other is Blue). Same as the Scan Dual II - Bad color rendition (fairly Blue/Magenta) even if I use VueScan. - No digital ICE (dust removal) - Digital ROC & GEM to long to process (average of 8 min).

Minolta Scan Multi II: Probably the most interresting model for those who need a medium format scanner. The Nikon LS-8000ED is to much expensive and is performances are fairely the same as the SM II.

Customer Service

No request needed

Similar Products Used:

CanoScan FS 2710 Dîmage Scan Dual II Dîmage Scan Speed Dîmage Scan Elite LS-4500AF

Excellent price/performance ratio. Very fine detail with print film (I did not scan chromes on it). The latest software seems to be a dramatic improvement over the original. Batch scan capability with 35mm format.

resolution restroction for medium format seems strange to me. Dust can be a real pain while scanning medium format. Swiotching between different medium format frame sizes requires both changing software settings and frame masks, which looks like 19th century technology compared to what this scaner has to offer. However, for someone who uses only one frame size this is not a problem at all.

This is a great scanner, what can I say. For someone who needs to have both 35mm and medium format capabilities without leaving kids to starve, this is a pretty decent solution. The biggest drowback was the software, but it seems to be getting better and better with every update.

Customer Service

Web site seems reasonably helpful, other than that, I do not know.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon LS2000, but nothing in medium format.

Has a good amount of info, sharpness and detail in the scans.

I find the software cumbersome and hard to manage. Having used Agfa software I am a bit spoiled. The Dimage software lack a lot of features. Someone who is a veteran scanning operator will be disappointed.

A few things I would like to have the ability to do are:

1. Import a correction curve from PhotoShop
2. retain curve data/settings for future scans
3. Have larger (live)views to actually work in for adjusting scans, not previewing the adjustments I just made.
4. Twain support, or the ability to use third party scanning software.

I am sure I could add more to the list. The physical scanner does a great job, it is just the software that sucks a bit.

For someone who is not in a production environment and needs scans from multiple formats up to 6x7cm the Dimage is an affordable scanner and does an excellent job. I have sent scans to press at full page sizes and not been disappointed in the quality.

If you are an experienced scanner operator looking for a scanner for film reconsider and find a scanner that offers better software capabilities and support.

Customer Service

Have not used.

Similar Products Used:

Polaroid Scanner
Agfa Arcus II scanner

Probably the only multi-format scanner in its price range.

Really dust prone in Medium Format. The software is among the worst in the business. Download updates are rare. No website support to speak of (FAQ's/Troubleshooting).

Another example of a product that could stand alone in the market but there is no backup. When my cheap little HP scanner messed up, I made a toll free call and had a replacement overnight. Epson, same deal. I offered to drive to Minolta's HQ and still the CSR told me 7 days! Not good enough, I cannot be down for a week. When I (briefly) owned a Dimage Scan Dual, there wasn't even mention of the product on their site! Regarding the Scan Multi, one MANAGER told me he wasn't aware the product existed!

Gimme a break.

Customer Service

Easily the worst ever. Toll call, 8-5 only. Minolta refuses to provide support for the SCSI card shipped with the product. Adaptec, the maker of the card, provides training on the card to the Minolta folks but Minolta claims otherwise(catch-22). Support consists of "you ship the scanner back to us along with a scan on a floppy, and an original (slide/neg) at your own expense for a 7 day turnaround!

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I own an HP Photosmart.
I returned a Dimage Scan Dual.

Handles medium format and 35 mm very well. Medium format produces excellent 8x 10's with 645 chromes and negatives. Medium format 645 scans, printed 8 x 10 on an Epson Photo 750, look just as good as as C prints (not including the differences inherent with an ink jet print. Easy to use.

The contrast/brightness pre-scan windows make it very easy to get this correct on the scan.

Seems to have a color problem when scanning the new Kodak Portra films (negatives).

Dust problems can be controlled by using a compressed air cannister
as part of the process, when needed.

I would rate this scaaner 5 stars if it had an optical scan resolution for medium format that was as high as for the 35 mm scans. I am very pleased with the quality of the scans. I have used it more for chromes than for negative film. It does an EXCELLENT job with chromes.

I purchased mine through the Gateway Spotshop with a promotional discount (from being a previos Gateway customer) and paid $1,785 including 2nd day air shipping.

Customer Service

Good.

Similar Products Used:

None

It's the cheapest multiformat (beyond APS, that is) film scanner that seems to be able to do justice to Kodachrome as well as negative films. The slide feeder quite satisfactorily chunks through whole boxes of slides without human intervention, too.

You must block off empty negative slots in the 6-slot negative carrier for 35mm. The 6x* carrier is a dust trap.

I'm satisfied. I still need a good photo handling program to use with it, the Photo House 2.1 that comes with it is production-unfriendly.

Customer Service

Didn't need any, yet.

Similar Products Used:

Looked at a bunch. Most had well under 3.6 OD range, and scans looked like that.

The first affordable medium format scanner

The dust in medium format is not acceptable. The low resolution in 120 format makes it unusable for anyone wishing to make large scale prints.

I would have to warn everyone to stay away from this scanner. Its quality/resolution is hobbyist quality...should sell for under $300. For $ 2000+ I expect a scanner to yield a file of 60 megs or so. I have no idea what Minolta was thinking.

Customer Service

THE WORST

Similar Products Used:

Polaroid 4000
Epson 1600
Nikon Coolscan