Minolta SE 5400....

[Addenuff]

Hi,
My second Minolta Scan Elite 5400 has just died. Refraining from focusing
it simply sits there growling and whirring at me. It's predecessor, bought
June 2004 came up with Error 50(?) last December and did nothing but was
(eventually) replaced FOC earlier this year. This morning I phoned my
supplier who have said that they'll replace it as soon as they get one in
stock, about 5 days. After the hassle of the last exchange I'm wondering
whether their willingness to sort this soon (apparent, not yet actual....!)
indicates a known reliability problem with this model scanner.
Any one else had any problems?
In fairness, my first one scanned in excess of 3000 slides over six months
before expiring but this one was just about to begin its marathon having
previously only scanned a few dozen slides since new.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the results, usually at 2700, occasionally at
full resolution with all the tricks that this machine can offer I have been
delighted with the results so I'd probably buy a Mk2 if push came to shove
but I'd rather the Mk1 would simply function properly for more than six
months, and yes it has been looked after, covered when not used etc, etc.
Originally I was goimg to buy a Nikon but being able to scan in batches of 4
slides won me over, and I know that if I spent three times the money I could
have a Nikon with a 50 tranparency holder but the difference has bought me a
20D so it's no longer an option anyway!
I've reinstalled the software, checked or changed all the cables to no
avail. Opposite it sits a Scanjet3c still functioning after all these years
so I assume that the problem isn't me!
Thanks,
DP
In the UK.......

 

[Hecate]

Hi,
My second Minolta Scan Elite 5400 has just died. Refraining from focusing
it simply sits there growling and whirring at me. It's predecessor, bought
June 2004 came up with Error 50(?) last December and did nothing but was
(eventually) replaced FOC earlier this year. This morning I phoned my
supplier who have said that they'll replace it as soon as they get one in
stock, about 5 days. After the hassle of the last exchange I'm wondering
whether their willingness to sort this soon (apparent, not yet actual....!)
indicates a known reliability problem with this model scanner.
Any one else had any problems?
In fairness, my first one scanned in excess of 3000 slides over six months
before expiring but this one was just about to begin its marathon having
previously only scanned a few dozen slides since new.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the results, usually at 2700, occasionally at
full resolution with all the tricks that this machine can offer I have been
delighted with the results so I'd probably buy a Mk2 if push came to shove
but I'd rather the Mk1 would simply function properly for more than six
months, and yes it has been looked after, covered when not used etc, etc.
Originally I was goimg to buy a Nikon but being able to scan in batches of 4
slides won me over, and I know that if I spent three times the money I could
have a Nikon with a 50 tranparency holder but the difference has bought me a
20D so it's no longer an option anyway!
I've reinstalled the software, checked or changed all the cables to no
avail. Opposite it sits a Scanjet3c still functioning after all these years
so I assume that the problem isn't me!
Thanks,
DP
In the UK.......

Hi, There have been a small number of people who have reported
problems so I don't think it's you, more likely it's quality control.
OTOH, there have been a larger number of people who are very satisfied
with the scanner (like me <g>). I think it's just one of those
thi9ngs, and you've had the bad luck to be one of the people thats had
the worst of it. That doesn't make it right of course, but it doesn't
seem to happen to the majority of people using this scanner.

--

Hecate - The Real One
(e-mail address removed)
Fashion: Buying things you don't need, with money
you don't have, to impress people you don't like...

 

[SuperPop]

Sorry to hear of your trouble with the Minolta SE5400.
My SE5400 is now just a little over one year old and about (500) 35mm slides
scanned, most of them at 5400 ppi.
The unit has run very well with no mechanical troubles. I use the Minolta
software (in XP, Firewire connected) after having trouble with Vuescan
(trial version).
Good luck with your replacement unit.
Matt D

 

[Alex]

Hi,
My second Minolta Scan Elite 5400 has just died. Refraining from
focusing
it simply sits there growling and whirring at me. It's predecessor,
bought
June 2004 came up with Error 50(?) last December and did nothing but
was
(eventually) replaced FOC earlier this year. This morning I phoned my
supplier who have said that they'll replace it as soon as they get one
in
stock, about 5 days. After the hassle of the last exchange I'm
wondering
whether their willingness to sort this soon (apparent, not yet
actual....!)
indicates a known reliability problem with this model scanner.
Any one else had any problems?
In fairness, my first one scanned in excess of 3000 slides over six
months
before expiring but this one was just about to begin its marathon
having
previously only scanned a few dozen slides since new.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the results, usually at 2700,
occasionally at
full resolution with all the tricks that this machine can offer I have
been
delighted with the results so I'd probably buy a Mk2 if push came to
shove
but I'd rather the Mk1 would simply function properly for more than
six
months, and yes it has been looked after, covered when not used etc,
etc.
Originally I was goimg to buy a Nikon but being able to scan in
batches of 4
slides won me over, and I know that if I spent three times the money I
could
have a Nikon with a 50 tranparency holder but the difference has
bought me a
20D so it's no longer an option anyway!
I've reinstalled the software, checked or changed all the cables to no
avail. Opposite it sits a Scanjet3c still functioning after all these
years
so I assume that the problem isn't me!
Thanks,
DP
In the UK.......

Hello,

Maybe you are just unlucky:

I have mine since Dec last and I have scanned so far 1950 color
negatives and 320 B&W negatives. All at 5400 dpi using the K-M
software. I hope to finish the rest of the B&Ws in about a month or two.
The scanner behaves strangely every now and then, like in the middle of
a batch procedure suddenly giving off a high pitched sound. I then have
to abort the batch and start it over again. It seems to be out of sync
in that case. But this has happened only about 10 times in total.

So all in all I am very happy, especially the ICE cleaning of my old
negatives, and the good color rendering as subjectively judged
Greetings, Alex