Original Nikon Coolscan -- worth it?

[robert_davis7]

My newspaper cleaned out its closet with the intention of throwing

away a bunch of stuff. In the pile was an OLD Nikon Coolscan (looks

like it's a first generation). As far as our office manager knows,

it still works, so I got it for free (we use mostly D1Xs now and for

film we have a Nikon Coolscan 8000).

 

So here's my dilemna:

 

* CONNECTION. I'm running a PC with Windows XP. The scanner needs

a "scuzzy" connection, which I do not have. I have eight USB ports

and one parallel port. Is there an adapter I can use to plug a SCSI

connection into my parallel port or (in a perfect world) my USB port?

 

* SOFTWARE. I don't even know where to begin to look for original

Nikon Coolscan software or drivers. Will Win XP automatically

recognize the hardware and adapt it for use in Photoshop? I don't

really need the Nikon software if I can rig this thing to work in

Photoshop.

 

* WORTH IT? I'm having a hard time finding specs on this thing. Is

it even worth the effort of setting this device up ... or is there a

reason it was thrown in the trash pile?

 

Many thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[cross-posted in "Digital Darkroom" forum]

[robert_davis7]

Sorry, the scanner is the Nikon Coolscan LS-10. Apparently I can download some drivers from Nikon's Web site. I guess that covers the software question!

[aardvarko]

buy VueScan and get a SCSI card on eBay. and don't crosspost - they HATE that, and it specifically says on the forum index: "NOTE: Please choose the most appropriate forum for your post. Please do NOT post in multiple forums."

 

you might as well drop $100 on a Coolscan III. faster, Digital ICE, etc.

[juan_su]

Yes, I agree. Don't bother with the LS-10. Waste your time and money. Better to invest on a Coolscan III, cheaper than the LS-2000 and many people gave it just as great reviews. There are many on ebay. Good luck!

 

regards,

 

Juan Su

[mskovacs]

Viewscan + LS-30 (Coolscan III) work perfectly up to my normal maximum print size of 8.5x11. The SCSI can be a little finicky and it will take some hoops to get it working on 2KP or XP. You need a SCSI card and I would recommend a PCI adaptec. Just has to be a basic model, my LS-30 actually came with said card, unused because the first owner used a Mac.

 

<p>Best place to start for software, manuals, firmware updates etc for the LS-10 is <a href=http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?goingto=dtc_options&cat=1&grp=2&productNr=9135>HERE.</a> You actually shouldn't need Nikon scan at all if you go the Viewscan route which is what I would recommend. I haven't used the ancient LS-10 but I would expect much, especially if you are scanning transparancies. Its probably pretty decent for negs, though that's just a presumption.