NIKON LS-4000ED

Nikon Film Scanner, Super CoolScan 4000 ED (LS-4000 ED) Review and Scanning Examples

Table of contents

Photo example
The images were taken with LEICA R8, FISHEYE ELMARIT 16mm, KODAK GOLD200 (negative film) and scanned with LS-4000 ED.

Review
The LS-4000ED is a high-end scanner film dedicated to 35mm film, one before the LS-V ED. This scanner is also useful because of its SA-21 adapter, which automatically swallows slip film. Scanning speed is not so flattering. Scanning 36 sheets at 4000 dpi takes about 1.5 hours, which is about the same time as the LS-V ED. The next model LS-5000ED has more sensors and scanning time is faster by about half.
The V and 5000 series, the next generation of the IV and 4000, are equipped with an Ir sensor to improve dust removal performance, but looking at the scan results, there is no significant difference between the V and 4000.
The IV and 4000 have a cover on the film loading section, but the V and 5000 omit it. The IV, V, 4000, and 5000 are all the same size.

As for software, I purchased VueScan and use it on my Macintosh. That software also has a Windows/Linux version, and I used that when my PC was running Linux/Windows. The interface is the same and there is no difference in usability between the two. The serial number is also the same.
VueScan is a long-established scanning software that supports various scanners and film color simulation.
I paid for this software online a long time ago and have not had to pay any additional fees for version upgrades.
VueScan is a well-established scanning software that supports a variety of scanners and film color simulations.
I paid for this software online a long time ago and have not had to pay any additional fees for version upgrades.
We believe this is mainly due to the fact that there have been no major changes, as the version upgrades are limited to the latest OS support, scanner profiles, and film profiles, but we are very grateful that we can continue to use the software as of 2023.
Some people say that it is not optimized for each scanner when compared to genuine scanning software, but my personal opinion is that you should scan with an emphasis on the material and use image processing software for post-processing to achieve the desired look and feel.

I also use KONICA MINOLTA’s Dimage Scan series, but it is a hassle to set the slip film into the cartridge each time I scan, and I think the CoolScan is convenient because it swallows the film slips as they are. However, Nikon IV and V require scanning one slide film at a time when scanning slide films, so I think the DiMAGE Scan series, which can scan four slides at a time, is convenient.
The Nikon 4000 and 5000NIKON can process 50 slides continuously with the optional SF-210 [Slide Feeder]. Although it is expensive at 50,000 yen (excluding tax), it seems to be an attractive option for those who scan a large number of slides.
Since I have never actually used it, I do not know how it feels to use.
Although I was not aware of it at the time, comparing the specifications, Nikon has a fixed document scanner and Konica Minolta has a fixed sensor scanner.

Although there are few people who use film scanners nowadays, it is necessary to pay attention to the connection format between PC and scanner for old film scanners.
USB connection is not a problem, but SCSI connection is very expensive because there is no SCSI-USB converter available from any manufacturer. Moreover, the scanner may not be recognized in the USB mode for connecting a common HDD, and it is considered necessary to prepare a SCSI driver for the corresponding OS. Therefore, depending on the OS used, it may not be available.
The IEEE1394 (Apple name: FireWire) used by the SUPER COOLSCAN 4000 ED can be used with Windows-based desktop PCs by adding an IEEE1394 board. If your notebook PC has only a USB port, an IEEE1394-USB conversion adapter is available at a low price on Amazon, but this is a mere addition, directly connecting the IEEE1394 port to the USB port, and does not perform any advanced signal conversion. USB1.1/2.0 and IEEE1394 are capable of different voltages, but since the terminals are directly connected, it is said that connecting them may damage the device.
In the case of Macs, the Thunderbolt terminal can be used to connect a scanner.
If your Mac has a Thunderbolt 2 port, you can use a Thunderbolt-FireWire adapter (MD464ZMA) to connect and use the scanner.
If your Macintosh has a Thunderbolt 3 port, you can use the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter (MMEL2AM/A) and Thunderbolt-FireWire adapter (MD464ZMA).

Specification

Name	SUPER COOLSCAN 4000 ED	SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 ED	Dimage Scan Elite 5400 II
Model No.	LS-4000 ED	LS-5000 ED	AF-5400-2
Resolution(dpi)	4000	4000	5400
number of pixels	3946×5959	3946×5959	5328×7920
Image sensor	1-line linear CCD image sensor	2-line linear CCD image sensor	3-line color CCD (5340 pixels per line) RGB primary color filter
Light	3 color LED(RGB)	4 color LED(RGB Ir)	White LED
Scan method	Manuscript Fixation Optics moving flatbed scanning 1-pass scanning	←	Manuscript Drive Fixed sensor 1-pass scanning method
Scan speed	Approx. 38 sec (1 sheet of 35mm film, 4000dpi)	Approx. 20 seconds (1 sheet of 35mm film, using MA-21, 4000 dpi)	Approx. 25 seconds (1 sheet of 35mm positive film, all image corrections OFF)
A/D transform	14bit	←	16bit
Output	16bit	←	16bit
Digital ICE	ICE 3	ICE 4	ICE 4
Interface	IEEE1394	USB 2.0	←
Auto feed	6	←	←
Slide scan mehtod	Yes 50 sheets can be processed with SF-210	←	Yes 4 slides can be attached to the holder
Power supply	Include	←	AC adapter
Weight(kg)	3.0	3.0	1.5
Options	Strip Film Adapter SA-21 Slide Mount Adapter MA-20(S) Strip Film Holder FH-3	Strip Film Adapter SA-21 Slide Mount Adapter MA-21 Strip Film Holder FH-3	35mm Film Holder FH-M20 Slide Mount Holder SH-M20 AC Adapter AC-U26
Price(Yen/No-tax)	¥198,000-	Open(¥130,000)	¥105,000(Elite 5400) ¥70,000(Elite 5400II)
Release date	2001.3	2003.11	2003.6(Elite 5400) 2005.2(Elite 5400II)