[QUOTE="ThomasH said:
No, there is a substantial hardware difference between those two. The
LS-4000 is much more like the LS-50 in performance and internal hardware
terms.
No, the LS50 succeeds LS40 and the LS5000 the LS4000 actually,
but I will gladly rest my case, as both LS50 and LS5000 have now
similar sensor, whereas the resolution of LS40 was below LS4000.[/QUOTE]
Thomas, please take a look at the specifications of the relevant
scanners. The LS-40 is *irrelevant* to this discussion and has not even
been mentioned in the thread to date!
Whilst the LS-50 did, nominally, replace the LS-40, the internal
hardware of the LS-50 is identical to Nikon's previous top range model,
the LS-4000. It scans in the same time at the same resolution and has
the same maximum density and dynamic range. In most respects the two
scanners are identical, differing only in the interface (Firewire/USB)
and some software functions which Nikon have traditionally only enabled
on their top range models, which the LS-50 is not. It is not unusual
for an enhanced product to replace the top of the range model, with the
previous top model being downgraded to second position. In this
instance, Nikon have increased the gap between the new top model and its
predecessor by disabling certain capabilities in software whilst moving
it to second place - again, standard marketing practice to jockey for
the position of each model in the marketplace. However, this does not
change the fact that the LS-4000 and the LS-50 are, essentially, the
same scanner at heart.
The LS-5000 is a significantly different beast from either LS-4000 or
the crippled capability LS-50. Its hardware includes a two line CCD
which operates in an interlaced mode to reduce the scan time by a factor
of two. In addition, it has a 16-bit ADC which results in an increased
maximum density and dynamic range. The LS-5000 nominally replaced the
LS-4000 in the product range, but it is a significantly different piece
of hardware. In sheer hardware terms, the LS-50 is virtually the same
machine as the LS-4000.
Anyway, I wish you good use of the SF200 slide feeder and SA30
roll film adapter with the LS50, if you will manage to use them,
that is... That much about similarity between these both.
Thomas, please read the thread before you criticise its comments!
When I first suggested the LS-4000 be considered it was with the words:
"(The LS-4000 is) effectively the same machine as an LS-50 with a
firewire interface and better adapter support range."
Nobody has suggested that the bulk film adapters will be accepted by the
LS-50, nor has anyone suggested that it will support multiscanning.
These are all functions which Nikon have disabled via software because
they only enable them for their current top range model.
I will
stay with a firm believe that LS4000 and LS5000 are in the
different league of its own. Its a classic case of looking at the
same specs and numbers and yet claiming drastic different conclusions.
No, it is a classic case of identifying those elements in the
specifications which are significant to the person who will use the
scanner - in this case, the major issue, multiscanning, is one that you
have not even mentioned although you continue to obfuscate the issue
with other irrelevant differences.
Yea, yea, there are some again indeed, this is eBay, this changes
all the time. My search shows now two in computers/scanners
and a few more in camera/scanners. Thse both listed in computers
are starting with $400, ending in 3 days thus 3 days old.
They are mostly in the range of $300-400, selling for around
$400-600. And this also varies dramatically from the price which
you assume... If you can get one for $100, well, its a killer!
I did NOT assume a price, I quoted a range of bids as "from $100
upwards", which was available at the time. The Nikon factory demo
model, which had a highest bid of $100 at that time now has a highest
bid of $255 - perhaps as a consequence of it being highlighted on this
thread, but still a bargain, and considerably less than the price of a
new LS-50.
Results from LS4000 are likely to inidistiguishable from the
results delivered by the LS5000 in a majority of cases, I would
be taking the LS5000 for speed mostly and the new shadow
processing module from AFS, which is disabled with LS4000.
FFS Thomas!!! The LS-5000 is not even in the running here because of its
cost! Who gives a toss what you would be taking? The question is which
is the better option for Don, who is considering the LS-50. I am sure
that if he could justify spending the cash on half a dozen LS-5000s he
would choose them instead and get even faster scanning still, but he has
set his upper limit at the price of an LS-50. A used LS-4000 price
falls well within that range, is available and is exactly the same
scanner hardware with a different interface, improved adapter support -
and that all important feature HE is looking for: multi-scanning. Since
Don has already posted extensively about certain functions being
withheld from his existing LS-30 model for the same reasons that
functions are disabled in the LS-50, market position, it would appear
that a used LS-4000 at lower cost would meet his needs better than a new
LS-50. In the end, it is a choice *he* makes though, and having now
stated some aversion to buying used devices, he will probably not take
that option up.
