Konica Minolta Dimage Scan Multi Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: bobticoune
(Expert)

Review Date
January 16, 2002

Overall Rating
3 of 5

Value Rating
3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 1 of 7

Price Paid: $1800.00

Summary:

Minolta Scan Multi II: Probably the most interresting model for those who need a medium format scanner. The Nikon LS-8000ED is to much expensive and is performances are fairely the same as the SM II.

Strengths:

- Holders very well made - Batch scanning - Multi sample scanning mode - Small size device if we compare to other models available on the market - Fast prescan - Digital ROC & GEM

Weaknesses:

- Horizontal slot (dust problem) - Final scanning to slow - Holder for medium formats (film between 2 glasses) - Weird lines appearing sometimes on scans (one is Red, one is Green and the other is Blue). Same as the Scan Dual II - Bad color rendition (fairly Blue/Magenta) even if I use VueScan. - No digital ICE (dust removal) - Digital ROC & GEM to long to process (average of 8 min).

Similar Products Used:

CanoScan FS 2710 Dîmage Scan Dual II Dîmage Scan Speed Dîmage Scan Elite LS-4500AF

Customer Service:

No request needed

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Rating
Reviewed by: J. Tomas Lopez
(Professional)

Review Date
May 18, 2001

Overall Rating
1 of 5

Value Rating
1 of 5

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 2 of 7

Price Paid: $2300.00

Summary:

I would have to warn everyone to stay away from this scanner. Its quality/resolution is hobbyist quality...should sell for under $300. For $ 2000+ I expect a scanner to yield a file of 60 megs or so. I have no idea what Minolta was thinking.

Strengths:

The first affordable medium format scanner

Weaknesses:

The dust in medium format is not acceptable. The low resolution in 120 format makes it unusable for anyone wishing to make large scale prints.

Similar Products Used:

Polaroid 4000
Epson 1600
Nikon Coolscan

Customer Service:

THE WORST

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Rating
Reviewed by: Irakly Shandize
(Intermediate)

Review Date
August 10, 2000

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 3 of 7

Summary:

This is a great scanner, what can I say. For someone who needs to have both 35mm and medium format capabilities without leaving kids to starve, this is a pretty decent solution. The biggest drowback was the software, but it seems to be getting better and better with every update.

Strengths:

Excellent price/performance ratio. Very fine detail with print film (I did not scan chromes on it). The latest software seems to be a dramatic improvement over the original. Batch scan capability with 35mm format.

Weaknesses:

resolution restroction for medium format seems strange to me. Dust can be a real pain while scanning medium format. Swiotching between different medium format frame sizes requires both changing software settings and frame masks, which looks like 19th century technology compared to what this scaner has to offer. However, for someone who uses only one frame size this is not a problem at all.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon LS2000, but nothing in medium format.

Customer Service:

Web site seems reasonably helpful, other than that, I do not know.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Robert F
(Professional)

Review Date
March 9, 2000

Overall Rating
3 of 5

Value Rating
3 of 5

Review 4 of 7

Model Reviewed:
Dimâge Scan Multi

Summary:

For someone who is not in a production environment and needs scans from multiple formats up to 6x7cm the Dimage is an affordable scanner and does an excellent job. I have sent scans to press at full page sizes and not been disappointed in the quality.

If you are an experienced scanner operator looking for a scanner for film reconsider and find a scanner that offers better software capabilities and support.

Strengths:

Has a good amount of info, sharpness and detail in the scans.

Weaknesses:

I find the software cumbersome and hard to manage. Having used Agfa software I am a bit spoiled. The Dimage software lack a lot of features. Someone who is a veteran scanning operator will be disappointed.

A few things I would like to have the ability to do are:

1. Import a correction curve from PhotoShop
2. retain curve data/settings for future scans
3. Have larger (live)views to actually work in for adjusting scans, not previewing the adjustments I just made.
4. Twain support, or the ability to use third party scanning software.

I am sure I could add more to the list. The physical scanner does a great job, it is just the software that sucks a bit.

Similar Products Used:

Polaroid Scanner
Agfa Arcus II scanner

Customer Service:

Have not used.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Paul Taylor
(Professional)

Review Date
February 15, 2000

Overall Rating
1 of 5

Value Rating
3 of 5

Review 5 of 7

Model Reviewed:
Dimâge Scan Multi

Summary:

Another example of a product that could stand alone in the market but there is no backup. When my cheap little HP scanner messed up, I made a toll free call and had a replacement overnight. Epson, same deal. I offered to drive to Minolta's HQ and still the CSR told me 7 days! Not good enough, I cannot be down for a week. When I (briefly) owned a Dimage Scan Dual, there wasn't even mention of the product on their site! Regarding the Scan Multi, one MANAGER told me he wasn't aware the product existed!

Gimme a break.

Strengths:

Probably the only multi-format scanner in its price range.

Weaknesses:

Really dust prone in Medium Format. The software is among the worst in the business. Download updates are rare. No website support to speak of (FAQ's/Troubleshooting).

Similar Products Used:

I own an HP Photosmart.
I returned a Dimage Scan Dual.

Customer Service:

Easily the worst ever. Toll call, 8-5 only. Minolta refuses to provide support for the SCSI card shipped with the product. Adaptec, the maker of the card, provides training on the card to the Minolta folks but Minolta claims otherwise(catch-22). Support consists of "you ship the scanner back to us along with a scan on a floppy, and an original (slide/neg) at your own expense for a 7 day turnaround!

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