Nikon 8000

A local store has one of these in. It's a complete package with the MF, 35mm mounted slide, and 35mm uncut film holders plus all the software.

 

I've been eyeing a 9000 as something of a pipe dream for a while, but am wondering if I can justify buying the MUCH less expensive 8000.

 

First of all, I currently use a Nikon Coolscan V and an Epson V700. I have zero complaints about the Nikon, but the Epson leaves me somewhat lacking in sharpness on medium format(and yes I've tried the upgraded film holders).

 

Software and ports are not an issue-I have what I need to make a Firewire scanner run with Nikon Scan.

 

So, what's the general opinion of this scanner?

I have an LS-8000 with all of the holders. It does a good job, and I've never felt compelled to upgrade to the 9000. The resolution (4000 ppi) is the same, but the 9000 may be 16 bit, v 14 bit for the 8000.

I believe the hardware is identical in the 8000/9000 scanners. I'm running a Polaroid SprintScan 120 under Firewire 1394 on Windows 10. Took about ten minutes to get it working, fine since then. The Nikon should be fine.

Thanks guys.

 

I'll see if they'll let me set it up and test it in the store. I'm sure it works, but I'd still rather not buy it sight-unseen. I'll drag a PowerBook G4 in, which has both FireWire and can run NikonScan just fine(hopefully it will work with the same version as works with my V, although I'll also install Vuescan).

 

One of the comments I've seen about the 9000 is that it apparently can use ICE with Kodachrome. That's not a huge deal, though, since I'm(obviously) not actively shooting Kodachrome and most of my Kodachromes that I care about have been scanned and hand-retouched. Still, if the hardware is the same, it makes me wonder if the 8000 can be "flashed" to a 9000.

Thanks guys.

 

I'll see if they'll let me set it up and test it in the store. I'm sure it works, but I'd still rather not buy it sight-unseen. I'll drag a PowerBook G4 in, which has both FireWire and can run NikonScan just fine(hopefully it will work with the same version as works with my V, although I'll also install Vuescan).

 

One of the comments I've seen about the 9000 is that it apparently can use ICE with Kodachrome. That's not a huge deal, though, since I'm(obviously) not actively shooting Kodachrome and most of my Kodachromes that I care about have been scanned and hand-retouched. Still, if the hardware is the same, it makes me wonder if the 8000 can be "flashed" to a 9000.

Just make sure you have the latest firmware (I think there was an update for the 8000). ICE + Kodachrome is, IIRC a software function.

I'm pretty certain the motherboard is different between the two scanners. Online sales of second hand components are often listed as suitable for "LS 8000 and LS 9000, but some are just listed as either 8000 or 9000. The Power Supplies are the same, but I wouldn't go swapping the Motherboard from one scanner to another

 

A good feature of the 8000 with Vuescan is the infrared cleaning. It seems to do the cleaning effortlessly and in my opinion, does an excellent job

 

The cleaned scan

Well, I've gathered up some negatives so I'm going to stop by the camera store this afternoon and give it a good test run but I'm pretty sure I'll at least be putting it on lay-a-way.

 

I have a MacBook loaded with Snow Leopard and Nikon Scan 4 ready to go, so I'll be able to take the scans home with me and look at them up close.

 

BTW, I've done side-by-side comparisons on the same negative in my V, and using real ICE in Nikon Scan vs. Infrared Cleaning in Vuescan is better in every way...

Three things to check: 1) that the scanner start-up green light on the front panel blinks for 60secs before going solid green, before slipping in a film holder. 2) that a message doesn't come up saying "Scanner not found". 3) that the green light doesn't blink at a rapid rate

 

If these are ok, do a simple "Preview" scan. To save time, set the resolution the same for both the preview and the scan, there'll be no need to click the scan button because the preview will be the scan. Just save it

 

If "Scanner not found" message comes up, but the initial start-up was the normal 60sec, the scanner is repairable. Buy the scanner at a reduced price, the repair is approx US$130 plus postage of the motherboard - gleb@shtengel.com

 

The film holders are meant to be inserted gently, just push slowly till the gears catch to pull the holder in. Wait a few seconds until the gears have finished doing what they have to do, then bring up the scanning software. It would be better if you use Vuescan for the test, it's quick and easy, and trouble free compatible

 

If you're keen on an LS 8000, don't let it out of your sight, grab it if it starts up and scans, the film holders are worth as much as the scanner. Buy it and ask question later, but don't pay the Earth for it, haggle to procure it within your budget

 

For your interest, the scan where I demonstrated the Infrared Clean was a kodachrome, just a simple scan with Infrared Clean set at "Low". Sometimes it misses a spot or two but a minute cloning in PS is less tiring than an hour spotting out dirt and lint if it's not cleaned first in the scanning software

Thanks for the tips.

 

It's right at $1K OTD, so if it checks out I'll take it(lay-a-way-can't buy it outright now).

Alright, spent about an hour testing in the store and the scanner is now on lay-a-way!