Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 Lens Test at 1.2x
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Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 Lens Test at 1.2x
When it was sold the Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 scanner lens was known to be the highest optical resolution scanner in its day. I got lucky and picked up a parts only non-working 5400 scanner around $100 to compare it against the excellent Scanner Nikkor ED 7 element lens.
Test set up
Magnification: 1.2x
Camera: Sony A6300
Sensor size: 23.5 × 15.6 mm. APS-C. 28.21 mm diagonal. 3.92 micron sensor pitch
Flash: Godox TT350s wireless flash x 2 with one Godox X1s 2.4G wireless flash transmitter
For specifics on the test set-up see the link to my website at the bottom for a link to the full test on my site.
The test area outlined in blue.
The 100% crop areas within the test area.
Center crop at 100%.
Click on an image for a full size view.
Below center crop at 100%.
Click on an image for a full size view.
Corner crop at 100%.
Click on an image for a full size view.
Test area with the Minolta lens.
Click on an image for a full size view.
Test area with the Scanner Nikkor lens.
Click on an image for a full size view.
My recommendation: Buy it.
The Minolta 5400 lens performance is impressive. It does appear to be sharper compared to the excellent Scanner Nikkor ED 7 element lens with excellent CA control.
Thanks to RAF camera, there is a professionally made adapter available:
https://www.rafcamera.com/adapter-18mm-id-to-rms-male
A detailed review of the Minolta 5400 lens and more on the comparison with the scanner nikkor 7 element lens is available here on my site:
https://www.closeuphotography.com/minol ... 5400-lens/
Questions and comments welcome.
Test set up
Magnification: 1.2x
Camera: Sony A6300
Sensor size: 23.5 × 15.6 mm. APS-C. 28.21 mm diagonal. 3.92 micron sensor pitch
Flash: Godox TT350s wireless flash x 2 with one Godox X1s 2.4G wireless flash transmitter
For specifics on the test set-up see the link to my website at the bottom for a link to the full test on my site.
The test area outlined in blue.
The 100% crop areas within the test area.
Center crop at 100%.
Click on an image for a full size view.
Below center crop at 100%.
Click on an image for a full size view.
Corner crop at 100%.
Click on an image for a full size view.
Test area with the Minolta lens.
Click on an image for a full size view.
Test area with the Scanner Nikkor lens.
Click on an image for a full size view.
My recommendation: Buy it.
The Minolta 5400 lens performance is impressive. It does appear to be sharper compared to the excellent Scanner Nikkor ED 7 element lens with excellent CA control.
Thanks to RAF camera, there is a professionally made adapter available:
https://www.rafcamera.com/adapter-18mm-id-to-rms-male
A detailed review of the Minolta 5400 lens and more on the comparison with the scanner nikkor 7 element lens is available here on my site:
https://www.closeuphotography.com/minol ... 5400-lens/
Questions and comments welcome.
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The result is really good for this lens!
Based on this I bought a 5400 scanner to try, supposedly working but missing film holder, but have not yet pulled it apart. Waiting for the Raf adapter and then I will give it a whirl. I hope it still has a lens in it...
I think the 58mm WD at m=1.2x implies focal length of ~32mm. This means that getting short enough total extension will be challenging. You use a Sony MFT so register is short. Canon or Nikon users will need to mount the lens with only ~20mm of extension. Probably just a camera-M42 + 14mm M42 extension + M42-RMS + RAF adapter may do it.
I decided to buy the scanner/lens since the optimum m=1.2 is just right for shooting Cents on FF. I don't have the FF camera yet but I figure it's inevitable.
BTW, did any of your 5400's come with a film holder? I'd like to try the scanner as a scanner before disassembling it.
Based on this I bought a 5400 scanner to try, supposedly working but missing film holder, but have not yet pulled it apart. Waiting for the Raf adapter and then I will give it a whirl. I hope it still has a lens in it...
I think the 58mm WD at m=1.2x implies focal length of ~32mm. This means that getting short enough total extension will be challenging. You use a Sony MFT so register is short. Canon or Nikon users will need to mount the lens with only ~20mm of extension. Probably just a camera-M42 + 14mm M42 extension + M42-RMS + RAF adapter may do it.
I decided to buy the scanner/lens since the optimum m=1.2 is just right for shooting Cents on FF. I don't have the FF camera yet but I figure it's inevitable.
BTW, did any of your 5400's come with a film holder? I'd like to try the scanner as a scanner before disassembling it.
Re: Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 Lens Test at 1.2x
Is this lens from Elite or Elite II ?RobertOToole wrote:...Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400...
Thanks,
Saul
μ-stuff
μ-stuff
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Re: Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 Lens Test at 1.2x
Hi Saul.Saul wrote:Is this lens from Elite or Elite II ?RobertOToole wrote:...Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400...
Thanks,
Just Elite. Minolta says the optical res is the same for both scanners so I went for the more common and cheaper Elite. The II model seems to be a lot harder to find and more expensive. I like to would try a II if a cheap unit turned up.
Robert
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Yes it was better than I hoped.ray_parkhurst wrote:The result is really good for this lens!
Its super easy to pull Ray once you get around to it. Pull off the covers and the lens is held in place by two screws under a glued-on cover. Takes 5 minutes to pull.Based on this I bought a 5400 scanner to try, supposedly working but missing film holder, but have not yet pulled it apart.
Posted removal pics here: https://www.closeuphotography.com/minol ... s-removal/
Raf was really very helpful with this one, very quick in getting the unit made. I hope he sells a few to make it worth it for him to help photographers with small projects like this.Waiting for the Raf adapter and then I will give it a whirl. I hope it still has a lens in it...
I think the 58mm WD at m=1.2x implies focal length of ~32mm. This means that getting short enough total extension will be challenging. You use a Sony MFT so register is short. Canon or Nikon users will need to mount the lens with only ~20mm of extension. Probably just a camera-M42 + 14mm M42 extension + M42-RMS + RAF adapter may do it.
Good point. I am getting spoiled working with a Sony body more and more for macro.
Excellent. CA performance is super with the little lens, but the colors are a little bit different than the Nikons. Will be interested to see what you think once you get your lens going Ray.I decided to buy the scanner/lens since the optimum m=1.2 is just right for shooting Cents on FF. I don't have the FF camera yet but I figure it's inevitable.
I shot a test series a couple of weeks ago with the Scanner Nikkor 7. That lens seemed to like more magnification, 1.3-1.5x was best, I have to look again at the results but I believe 1.35x or something like that was the sharpest on the Sony.
No holders. My unit was not working, and just sold for parts.BTW, did any of your 5400's come with a film holder? I'd like to try the scanner as a scanner before disassembling it.
Thanks
Robert
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Excellent! Thanks for putting all the detailed information together on your site too. As you know via my PM I have the Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 II that's been sitting in a drawer for 12 years or so. <g> Looks like RAF camera is out of stock adapter wise. I did email Rafael to see if he planned on making any more. I would love to give this a shot on my Canon 50D.
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Dont quote me but he usually can re-fill stock in a week or so depending on how busy they are in my experience. They are quick.Smokedaddy wrote:Excellent! Thanks for putting all the detailed information together on your site too. As you know via my PM I have the Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 II that's been sitting in a drawer for 12 years or so. <g> Looks like RAF camera is out of stock adapter wise. I did email Rafael to see if he planned on making any more. I would love to give this a shot on my Canon 50D.
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Sorry JW but I'm in Alaska now so wont be able to help only when I am back in the office in two weeks.Smokedaddy wrote:Wow, that is a small puppy! Maybe I can design something for my MM-11 nosepiece. I've done it with other lenses. What distance do I need from the sensor plane on my 50D to the back of the lens housing (or whatever)?
-JW:
There is from my site with that lens set-up, its pretty short. This set-up looks a little strange but it's rigid!
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