Nikon Coolscan LS-20E

BornToRide · 27th August 2003

Need urgent advice on this scanner.
What is the price for a second hand one?
Is it value for money?

jasphotography · 27th August 2003

LS 20 is two generations old, born before the LS 30 and LS 40 with no ICE dust removal feature...

I believe the resolution is 2700 dpi (same as the LS 10/30) which is still comparable to today's scanner resolution of 2800/2900 dpi. But, I am sure the dynamic range of LS 20 is much lower (D3.2 or D3.4 ???) and scan out of the box is not as accurate as the modern scanner can deliver.

So, idea is you will spend ton of time cloning the dust and post-processing with PhotoShop. Considering how much a new Minolta Scanner costs now ($500 ?), I won't part more than $300 for a LS 20.

I have used LS 10, 20 (tested briefly), 30 and 40. By far, LS 40 gave the best out of the box result. I could post sample scans (PS edited) of LS 10, 30 and 40 if you want to see their scan quality.

BornToRide · 27th August 2003

would appreciate that very much...
someone offered me $420 for it. dunno whether shld take it

jasphotography · 27th August 2003

Originally Posted by BornToRide

would appreciate that very much...
someone offered me $420 for it. dunno whether shld take it

$420 for Nikon LS 20? Personally, I don't think this is a good buy, far from it!

Top up another $100, you can get a new scanner (Minolta, Acer etc) with warranty, better and advanced technology.

If you still want to see my LS10, 30 & 40 sample scans, do let me know...

MikaMatin · 11th September 2003

Hey me interested to see ya scanned pix too!

Muchas gracias!

jasphotography · 11th September 2003

Nikon LS 10 Scan:

Nikon LS 30 Scan:

[/IMG]

Nikon LS 40 Scan

cd. · 15th September 2003

hi, jasphotography, thanks for all the informations. I am considering to get a film scanner also. And I am intereted in Minolta scanner. Do you have any photoes scanned by Minolta scanner? Or, do you have any recommendations for beginner like me? Thanks.

jasphotography · 17th September 2003

hey guys, sorry for the late reply. Have been very busy... and since I've received quite a number of queries regarding the minolta scanners, I may as well post my PERSONAL opinions here.

Well, I did use the Minolta Scan Dual, Scan Dual 2 and Scan Speed before. All 3 gave me problem with the CCD, more apparent when scanning dark slide (i.e., shadow or at night).

The problem looks something like that:

Hot Pixel in Scan Dual 2

I don't know if this was just my bad luck, one after another... why this happened, I asked the shop salesperson in UK and he was shocked as no other customers had got back to him with "my problem" before. Well, they probably haven't noticed...

Somehow I was told that the problems were inherent with Minolta's "lower end" slide scanners. blind me... Since then I have switched to Nikon's!

Below are some reviews of the Minolta Scanners. I have not seen them myself, so please help yourself.

Scan Dual Review

Scan Dual 2 Review

Scan Speed Review

Scan Dual 3 Review

27th August 2003	#1
BornToRide Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: WEST Posts: 662	Nikon Coolscan LS-20E Need urgent advice on this scanner. What is the price for a second hand one? Is it value for money?

27th August 2003	#3
BornToRide Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: WEST Posts: 662	yes sir would appreciate that very much... someone offered me $420 for it. dunno whether shld take it

11th September 2003	#6
jasphotography Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,362	Hope these help Nikon LS 10 Scan: Nikon LS 30 Scan: [/IMG] Nikon LS 40 Scan

17th September 2003	#8
jasphotography Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,362	hey guys, sorry for the late reply. Have been very busy... and since I've received quite a number of queries regarding the minolta scanners, I may as well post my PERSONAL opinions here. Well, I did use the Minolta Scan Dual, Scan Dual 2 and Scan Speed before. All 3 gave me problem with the CCD, more apparent when scanning dark slide (i.e., shadow or at night). The problem looks something like that: Hot Pixel in Scan Dual 2 I don't know if this was just my bad luck, one after another... why this happened, I asked the shop salesperson in UK and he was shocked as no other customers had got back to him with "my problem" before. Well, they probably haven't noticed... Somehow I was told that the problems were inherent with Minolta's "lower end" slide scanners. blind me... Since then I have switched to Nikon's! Below are some reviews of the Minolta Scanners. I have not seen them myself, so please help yourself. Scan Dual Review Scan Dual 2 Review Scan Speed Review Scan Dual 3 Review Last edited by jasphotography; 17th September 2003 at 01:45 PM.

11th September 2003	#5
MikaMatin Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Greenary East Posts: 114	Hey me interested to see ya scanned pix too! Muchas gracias!

15th September 2003	#7
cd. Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 250	hi, jasphotography, thanks for all the informations. I am considering to get a film scanner also. And I am intereted in Minolta scanner. Do you have any photoes scanned by Minolta scanner? Or, do you have any recommendations for beginner like me? Thanks.