Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite Scanner with Digital ICE and Adaptec SCSI Adapter

Scanned images possess the fine quality of your original with tonal gradations of up to 4,096 shades for each color channel. The Elite's driver software offers conventional 8-bit up to 16-bit output. Thus you'll maintain accurate color in the final printing from prescanned images with gamma correction.

The Elite's Digital ICE (Image Correction Enhancement) technology automatically removes surface defects like scratches, dust and fingerprints, reducing the need for retouching.

The Elite scans 35mm sleeved and mounted, positive and negative films in color and black and white. (Black-and-white film isn't recommended for use with Digital ICE.) With an optional adapter, the Elite is also compatible with Advanced Photo System (APS) film. A click of the mouse yields index scans and continuous scanning of the entire APS film cassette. At speeds you'd expect from a more advanced unit, 35mm color positives are scanned in an average of 30 seconds for Macintosh and 35 seconds for PCs. Combine this scanning rate with high-speed SCSI-II interface, and your staff will scan more productively, saving time and effort.

The Elite's compact driver software features additional functions: navigation, snapshots, image correction, auto-exposure area lock, auto crop, hue/saturation/lightness correction, and job selection. User-friendly tabs and windows make all these functions convenient. This model comes with an Adaptec AVA-2906 SCSI adapter plus CD-ROM, 35mm film holder, slide-mount holder, CSI cable, power cord, and Adobe Photoshop LE. --Barbara Price

Essentially, they all promise to scan 35mm film, and with an adapter, it can also do APS. However, promises are just that - empty for most of these scanners. This one however does it all:

- Digital ICE (you absolutely need this for cleaning images after they are scanned in - do NOT get a scanner without this, you'll be sorry!). - 2,820 dpi resolution (you always want to scan as high as possible. You can always sample down and lower resolution, but you can't go the other way without quality degradation) - Fast scanning speeds (with the exception of $2,000 models, this is the fastest scanner around. On my Windows PC is takes around 30 secs. On a Mac is takes 10 or so per FINAL scan.)

The problem with the Photosmart 20 is that it doesnt have a proper ICE image cleaner and film scans poorly. The Nikon coolscan doesnt have a good dut guard, and you end up with dust on your negatives/slides, which scans in horribly! UGH!

This one has virtually no weakness. SCSI connection makes it extremely fast! Get it and you'll be happy you did.


Best Buy for Color Negative Film Scans   March 20, 2003
Jeff Faubel (Seattle, WA United States)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

Unless you are prepared to spend $2500+ for a film scanner, the Dimage Scan Elite is the ideal choice for 35mm scans of color negative film. The Scan Elite produces much better tonal range from negative films than the Nikon offerings (although Nikon does a better job on slide scans). The SCSI interface is adequate for transferring huge files up to 45Mb. And the digital ice software is convenient for occasional scratched negative.

There are some compromises to contend with: the bundled software is mediocre, but many prefer Vuescan software which offers much more functionality for film scanning. Minolta is not going to release a OS X compatible driver, and the scan speed is much slower than the manufacturer specs in multiscan mode which is essential to minimize channel noise. However these are reasonable tradeoffs for the reasonable price point of the Dimage and outstanding 8x10 to 11x14 color prints which result from a good scan.


Really Nice Scanner   January 20, 2004
William Lester (Michigan)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I'm a serious photo hobbyist, not a professional, but this scanner produces really professional results. I've had one about a year, installed it with the 2906 scsi card before Minolta supplied them. First, you CAN scan very fast, but I NEVER do-because I want those BIG image files around 30 MB from a color original. These have been taking upwards of 20 minutes on my older 400 mhz pc. The big file? You can make stunning prints on an Epson 1280 printer--say, as big as the printer will go, 13X19 inches. I spend the time to do it well, neither the scanning nor the printing are a quick process.


Professional photographer from TEXAS   August 22, 2003
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This scanner is phenomenal. While you're busy comparing the Nikon coolscan to the Canon film scanners, don't get tunnel vision and forget to consider the Minolta Scan Elite. Sometimes you do find a good deal AND a great product in the same package. Professional results for photographers needing high-res scans for stock or other commercial endeavors. GET ONE! You won't be sorry.


Disappointed   December 30, 2005
DB (San Francisco)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

It scanned two mounted slides, and then stopped working. Discontinued model.