Apple Reviews

I'm quite pleased with this scanner. The scanner is fast and the digital ICE does a nice job in removing dust specs. I use it mainly to scan my 6x6 color negatives. When I use the scanner firewire connection with two different XP PCs it is not a simple "plug and play" operation. I have to go through an involved turn-on sequence to get the scanner to work with the PC. The exact sequence differs between both PCs. Others on the Yahoo Minolta Multi Pro Scanner Group have reported this same problem with firewire and XP. I now use the scanner scsi interface with a fast scsi or an ultra scsi card in both PCs and it always works as long as I power the scanner on first and wait for it to settle down before powering on the PC. The scan time is the same with firewire or scsi. 35mm scans look great, but medium format scans are somewhat grainy. It's like color prints made on a condenser enlarger instead of a diffusion enlarger.

After confirming that the Minolta Dimage Scan Multi Pro film scanner works wonderfully with color film, I thought I'd branch out. I soon discovered that the Minolta also works superbly for both my 1) black & white and 2) underwater photography.

For black & white photos, I use Kodak's black & white film for color print (C-41) processing, the film recommended for use in the Minolta film scanner (due to limitations in how the Applied Science Fiction image enhancing software works). The results, nevertheless, were fantastic.

The images were sharp -- with tremendous amounts of detail in both the highlights and the shadows. And digitizing them allowed me to use my PC to control the tonal range better than I ever could using a professional print service or my own home darkroom. Shooting -- and printing -- b&w photos has never been more satisfying. For once, I really felt like Ansel Adams!

For underwater photography, I use Canon's A-1, a very affordable autofocus camera that's good down to 11 feet -- a sufficient depth for snorkeling or taking photos of my kids swimming below-the-surface in the pool.

When I scanned some kids-playing-underwater shots into the Minolta, I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw the results. The original photos (from the photo lab) were very bluish, as would be expected. But the prints made from the Minolta-scanned images had flesh tones and bathing suits that looked as natural and as colorful as if the photos had been taken on land! It was truly amazing. It made me immediately want to go out and enroll in scuba diving lessons -- to take underwater photos of very colorful fish. Jacques Cousteau, here I come!

In both cases -- for b&w and underwater photography -- the Minolta allowed me to create the most sensational images I've ever authored in either medium.

The Minolta Dimage Scan Multi Pro film scanner continues to delightfully expand my photographic horizons. I'm sure it can easily do the same for you.

Being an avid film photographer, I wanted to make beautiful 8 x 10 enlargements -- from film -- rather than from digital. The Minolta Dimage Scan Multi Pro film scanner (along with my home PC and printer) has enabled me to do just that. I couldn't be happier!

The enlargements I've made (using the scanned images of my 35 mm negatives) are just phenomenal! Not only are they sharp and crisp -- but the Minolta brings out all of the shadow detail normally lost in the typical prints one gets back from a regular photo finisher. Pictures that I would've normally dismissed as being "too dark" now come alive with color and detail -- just as I remembered the original scene to be.

I once read that 35 mm film contains between 11 and 13 megapixels of information -- which is far in excess of the capacity available in today's most advanced digital cameras. After seeing the photos created by my Minolta film scanner -- I have no doubt that this comparison is absolutely true.

The enlargements I've made using my Minolta film scanner are vastly superior to my previous efforts:

- Using a digital camera -- where the color range and image resolution are definitely inferior.
- Making professional enlargements from my 35 mm film -- which doesn't adequately bring out the shadow detail (without dodging and burning) since the process isn't digital.

As background, I selected the Minolta Scan Multi Pro since it was the only film scanner that I found which could do all of the following:

1) Accept both 35 mm and 120/220 (medium format) size film.
2) Scan up to 4,800 dpi for higher resolution.
3) Connect via Firewire (as a faster option than USB), which I have on my Sony Vaio (desktop) computer.
4) Scan using Digital ICE, ROC and GEM (from Applied Science Fiction), which removes dust and scratches, and restores and adjusts the color automatically.
5) Is Windows XP compatible (which many film scanners, particularly the older models, aren't).

The Minolta software that came with the unit was very easy to load. And the screen interface is very intuitive.

The Minolta program is intended for scanning images only -- and opens as an import into Photoshop and Photoshop Elements (which I use), and other major photo editing programs. Since all of the retouching takes place in the host photo editing program, this allows the Minolta scanning software to be much simpler -- and much more reliable.

There is an index scanning feature (at lower resolution) which provides for fast (initial) image viewing. Photo uploads -- at the highest 4,800 dpi setting with all of the filters turned on -- takes about five minutes. (I drink coffee while I'm waiting.) And the photos, once captured, normally require only minimal retouching or color adjustment (if at all).

Since I shoot mainly with zoom lenses (and without a tripod), I was also worried that my 35 mm negatives woudn't be sufficiently sharp for making nice 8 x 10's. I was therefore pleasantly surprised to discover the following:

- That my 35 mm photos had much more resolution than I ever knew existed (particularly in the shadows and fine details).
- That I didn't need to change my equipment (to fixed focal length lenses) or use a tripod to make sharp pictures.
- And, most importantly, that I didn't need to buy an expensive higher-megapixel digital camera to make excellent 8 x 10 enlargements.

The level of detail (and drama) that I now see in my scenics and portraits is truly exceptional! I couldn't be more satisfied.

Granted, this Minolta Multi Scan Pro isn't cheap. And a less expensive film scanner can probably be had, especially if one can do without some of the options listed above (in particular, the 120/220 film capability, the faster Firewire connection, or the 4,800 dpi).

I love, however, that my photo albums are now filled with page-after-page of beautiful -- and richly detailed -- 8 x 10 blow-ups. And I'm even happier knowing that I can continue to shoot using the highest resolution photo medium yet available today. Film!

Get a Minolta Multi Scan Pro film scanner -- and discover just how good your 35 mm pictures really are! You'll be truly amazed!

Positives: Easy to connect, put in CD, reboot the CPU and plug in the scanner. Done. Speedy lil machine and very usefull since I have a lot of material that is legal sized. ...

Negatives: Scanners today have more buttons, where as this one only has 1 button

This scanner was a charm to set-up. Once the Microsoft SP1a was installed (absolutely necessary for USB 2.0), and the software was loaded, I plugged this scanner into the USB port and it instantly was operational. This is the only reasonably priced legal size scanner and it appears to be an excellent device.

My boss was looking around for a scanner that did legal sized documents and this was it. Most of the other scanners only do letter sized stuff, so if you need legal this is the way to go. Tiger Direct got it out to us pretty quickly and we are happy with it so far. I haven't ventured into the more advanced portion of the software, but the basic function is easy to use. It previews automatically and puts the box around the image so you just hit scan. Very happy so far!

I've recently upgrated from ME to XP Prp and found that this scanner is not working (not recognized) under Windows XP. Microtek doesn't seem to have specific drivers fron WIN XP, only for WIN 2000, 98, and 95. Although I did purchase this scanner about 2 years ago, I never had problems with it under Win ME.

This is my 2nd Microtek Scanner and I am relatively pleased with it this far. After I downloaded the updated driver supporting Windows ME, I could quickly install the scanner, although the "Scan Detector" does not always recognize the scanner. Since this model has no OFF/ON switch you could be wasting energy. Reflective art and negative 35mm filmstrips scan well (especially the "Descreen" and "Pre-Scan" functions sold me). The included LiquidLight 35 functions as a transparency adaptor, but it only works well with 35mm filmstrips, slides are difficult to scan due to a missing mechanism that hold them into place (Microtek suggests the use of clear tape!!!). Using the USB port, I find the scanner to be reasonably fast but noisy. For just $130.00, I think it's a good deal.

Even though some people did not like this scanner, I compared it directly with The Hewlett Packard 5300. I scanned a photograph on each scanner. The scan on the Microtek was MUCH sharper! Plus, the V6 UPL will scan legal size documents as well as 4 full size photos. This feature does come in handy from time to time. This is a reliable scanner that produces sharp results. The only thing I don't like about it is that it is alittle noisy during the scanning process. It makes a "scraping" noise that bothered me at first because it sounded like the scan was causing friction. But, once you get used to this scraping sound, the results are quite good. Plus, the price is very reasonable. I recommend this scanner very highly. I have had mine for over 6 month now with no problems.

I thought the scanner was great, but the lamp went out just after 1 year after I bought it. So now all my scans have a rainbow line from top to bottom. Microtek's extent of technical support is reinstall the drivers, if that doesn't work you have to return it so we can repair it, because there are no authorized repair people out there, but us. They will not sell me the lamp, because they need to repair it themselves (they want the labor dollars). So, after I paid $1,400 for this thing a year ago I am going to have to pay another $200-300 for repair and shipping both ways.

Microtek makes one of the only large format scanners on the market today, which concerned me as I don't like to see a monopoly as then product quality won't be job #1. I was surpised, albit pleasantly when I was received the scanner from CDW and how easy it was to use. It has SCSI, Firewire and USB connections on the back which make it easy to setup and install. Scanner quality is excellent as we scan dental xrays and then send them to insurance companies, who are always complaining about fuzziness of the scans. Needless to say we have had no difficulties with this Microtek and would probably buy another one in the future!

I have waited four years to buy a large bed scanner. I will never understand why the slight difference in scanner bed size increases the cost so greatly, (an 11 X 14 scanner is as little as $...) but that's the market as it stands. As an artist, I needed a scanner that would capture my work in one scan.

The Microtek scanner came practially ready to go right out of the box and installed into Windows XP effortlessly. It even came with a firewire card to install into the computer in the event the buyer didn't already have one. Very considerate! All necessary cables, both a Firewire OR a USB will operate it, and all the software was there and ready to go. Plugged in, it woke right up and scanned perfectly on it's first time out, as easy as downloading pics from my digital camera. No problems!

Amazon.com not only had the best price after a year of looking around, but offered free shipping and still got it to me the next day. If I had to spend this much on the scanner I at least got great service and treated well by the seller, as well as a quality product. OUTSTANDING!

I purchased this scanner about 18 months ago and paid a great deal of money for it (purchased elsewhere). I work in a professional graphic studio and needed a large flatbed. The first scanner arrived DOA, and it was returned. The second scanner died within one week. Recently, I started to notice severe color variations. This is after months of other problems, including scans that had shadows where there were none, and strange color patterns most of which I was able to correct in PhotoShop. Talking to technical support was useless, I would email them the scans that had very visible problems and they would claim it would look perfect on their monitor. I finally got hold of a supervisor who told me that the scanner was broken and would need repair, which would cost at least a few hundred dollars, plus shipping costs. Have decided to avoid further aggravation and just buy a new scanner, which will not be Microtek.

Needed a scanner that would scan A3 size papers, and would work heavy duty on a daily basis. I bought this one, and found my money's worth. The scans are pretty good. The price seemed high, but for a scanner that could scan A3 as well as do lots of scanning every day, I think its a good buy.

The product is OK, but Microtek's support options are second to, well, everyone. You can call a toll number, listen to more options than you ever thought possible, and hold for at least twenty minutes, or you can browse their shockingly inadequate website. I'm not sure that it isn't more prudent to go with a different brand that has more comprehensive support options, especially if you are a new or inexperienced user.

The scanner itself has what I value most: dependability. I need something that works everyday as I have no down time in my digital photography and design business. I can't tell a customer to hold on while I'm trying to get a product in for service. Needless to say this has not broken down on me since. It has metal rails which is nice when everything else looks like they have gone entirely plastic. With that being said I like the fact that they give you an advanced menu bar, not treating you as if you are to incompetent to know what color curves and descreening are used for. For those of you who do not know what I am talking about don't worry, they have a simple version of the software that comes with the scanner.

I'm been shooting film for quite some time and decided to give digital a try. I consider myself to be a professional and wanted a professional scanner, but not something that would put me out. After reading a bunch of reviews I came up with the 8700 Pro. Came with Silverfast which I have heard great things about and this software that lets you blow up a 35mm slide to near poster size without pixelation occuring. Scanner also comes with calibration software that allowed me to plug in my ICM profile into the software for the correct color on everything. Next step is to obtain a great printer. I recommend B&H as they were excellent on helping and the scanner shipped pretty fast.

I bought the 6800 after using a lower grade Microtek scanner for 9 months. The old one kept locking up after doiong a scan directly to the printer. The 6800 did the same. I contacted Microtec and they walked me through a down load (via e-mail and a printout) from their site. Still had same problem after taking same steps 3 times and the fourth time I tried to reload the disk that came with the scanner. Still same problem. I again contacted Microtek. This time no responce. I retured the scanner to the store. However, if don't use the direct scan buttons, and go through the program steps, it does scan well. Tired to do a few slides, and only got a black square. People at store said maybe I had a bad light in the 35mm adapter. Anyway, for a new scanner that I paid $150.00 for, I guess I expected everything to work!

I got the ScanMaker because I have lots of photos from my wedding to scan. I also have roughly 450 medium format negatives from my photographer. Scanning both has been a breeze. The scanner software can operate in advanced mode, which allows saving different areas of the scan as different images, but in one scanning pass. So for my negatives, I can scan 4 negatives into 4 separate images. Very nice.

Image resolution and color reproduction are top notch. Digital ICE is great for images and saves some post-scan touch-up time. It would be nice to have it for film, but I consider it to be a bonus even for photos.

My only complaint: The USB cable is way too short. The power cable is nice and long though. If this were fixed, it would get a 5.0.

After using ASF's software for a while I was very interested in this product. I saw that it only worked on reflective images, not slides and negatives which was disheartening at first but the actual product more than made up my initial percieved shortcomings. The scanner is very fast when you do not use the digital ice feature. When you do use it you need to give it some time to work its magic but it does work wonders. If you have old pictures that are torn up or scratched then this is what you need. It's suprising to see a product today that works as advertised. Edit: I should re-phrase that it does scan slides and negatives, just not with the digital ice function (restoring ability). I will keep everyone up to date with my progress with the 6800 but so far so good!!

Pros: USB 2.0 and Firewire connections for both my PC and Mac. Fast scanning when not using digital ice. Excellent photo reproduction capabilities!

Cons: No ice function for negatives