Konica Minolta DiMage Scan Elite 5400

Review Date
April 3, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
sapuddy , Expert

Price Paid
$500.00 at Adorama

Photography Experience
21+ years , Outdoor

Summary
Easy to use, quality build, easy interface to CS4.

Strengths
Auto focus is spot on. Color rendition the same.

This unit it easy to use, fast, and scans 4 slides at a time. Files up to 5400 dpi.

Firewire and USB2.

Just updated to the newest software with no problems.

Weaknesses
Won't reload itself or make coffee.

Customer Service
No need.

Review Date
May 4, 2007

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
larrybollinger1951 , Professional

Price Paid
$565.00 at B & H

Photography Experience
21+ years , Other

Summary
Minolta Dimage 5400 II, when it works, delivers a beautiful image from negatives or reversal source images. I've had mine for two years, but I've spent more time waiting for it to be returned from service/repair than I have actually scanning photos. As I write, I am sending it back for repair for the third time, all for the same problem: the mechanical transport fails, sticks, jams, stutters.

Strengths
Dimage 5400 II comes with many automatic features - software such as Digital ICE and others to remove dust, enhance shadow details, etc etc. When the transport functions well, the resulting image is very pleasing. I am scanning decades old family slides (or trying to) and it is great fun to see how well the scans turn out with judicious use of the software options

Weaknesses
The mechanical transport is unreliable...mine is about to go to the shop for a third time for the same complaint: film tray gets stuck, or it stutters, or it mis-aligns and produces a scan of only half of each slide. So far, the 'repairs' have been done by Sony/Minolta under warranty...no cost to me except for frustration and wasted time. I have some special circumstances that I feel still entitle me to warranty support even though the unit is almost 1.5 years old...I am hoping to have the unit repaired or replaced free of charge as I send it away for the third time. I would like the unit declared a 'lemon' to be replaced by a new unit if possible...I will update the forum on how this works out in the next few weeks.

Similar Products Used
This is the first film scanner I've ever used. Except for the major mechanical problems, I am impressed with what it can produce.

Customer Service
So far the repairs, although ineffective, have been 'free', under warranty. The second trip to repairs took about three months to complete. Despite the unreasonably long time in the shop, the unit malfunctioned on its first use after returning from repair service.