The Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 5000ED is Nikon's quickest dedicated 35mm film scanner, produced in the early 2000s and 2010s. This model can achieve 4,000 DPI scans of 35mm film strips, saving them as uncompressed TIFF files with 23.5 megapixels in full 16-bit color. It takes just 20 seconds for the COOLSCAN to generate a maximum-resolution image. Despite being over 20 years old, this scanner operates without modifications on contemporary computers. I am currently using it with a 2021 MacBook Pro (running macOS Sonoma) and a straightforward USB 2.0 to 3.0 adapter.
In this review, I will compare the SUPER COOLSCAN 5000ED with the PrimeFilm XAs — a modern dedicated film scanner — the Sony a7III (a digital camera equipped with a stand and macro lens), and also with professional lab scans. In summary, this could be the ultimate scanner for anyone looking for easy setup, limited space, optimal color quality, less scanning time, high resolution from 35mm film, and exceptional sharpness in every frame. There are, however, some limitations, including the price (these units are priced at $1,000+) and a few other minor issues. This review aims to highlight all these facets and provide a guide to maximize your 35mm film's potential with Nikon's advanced digitization hardware.
This review includes: Scanner features & specifications, build quality, batch scanning, modifications & accessories, software for vintage Nikon film scanners, VueScan settings and tips for use with Nikon film scanners, inverting negatives using film Q, image quality, issues, and a comparison of top scanners: Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 5000ED vs. Pacific Image PrimeFilm XAs and Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 5000ED vs. Sony a7III vs. professional lab results. Additionally, it covers pricing for the Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN and where to find one. Support this blog and gain premium features through GOLD memberships!
**Scanner Features & Specifications:**
The Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 5000ED utilizes SCANNER NIKKOR ED high-resolution optics to produce 4,000 DPI scans in 20 seconds, resulting in images of 23.5 megapixels in full 16-bit color. The device has a DMax of 4.8, which aids in capturing fine details in highlights. It features a low-noise 2-line CCD sensor for rapid scanning, benefiting from "Exclusive LED Technology" for precise color representation. The scanner weighs around 3 kg (6.6 lb) and occupies approximately 50 cm (depth) × 11 cm (width) × 18 cm (height), or 20” × 4” × 7” on a desktop, making it suitable for smaller spaces.
This model allows for multi-pass scanning (2x, 4x, 8x, 16x) to enhance detail and reduce noise, while batch scanning is enabled by the default inclusion of the SA-21 Strip Film Adapter, SA-30 Roll Film Adapter, and SF-210 Slide Feeder. In this review, the SA-21 Strip Film Adapter is utilized. Like most dedicated film scanners, the Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN outputs four channels: R, G, B, and I (infrared), with the latter usable by software like VueScan with Digital ICE to eliminate dust and scratches on color film. However, I haven't utilized this feature in this review, as I find that Photoshop’s Spot Healing Brush tool performs better, even though it's a manual method.
The scanner’s brochure indicates it comes with the “Enhanced” Nikon Scan 4 software featuring the “all-new” Scan Image Enhancer. Nonetheless, this software is over twenty years old, so I will be employing VueScan for creating digital negatives, while using Film Q for optimal color control during inversion. The Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 5000ED uses a standard USB 2.0 cable to connect with your computer.
**Build Quality:**
Nikon COOLSCAN scanners are constructed within an aluminum chassis and have a plastic front panel. My unit arrived with a crack in the front panel but remains fully operational. Its appearance is neither cheap nor extravagant, utilizing what seems to be a standard rack-compatible case and generic accessories—reflecting its intended market of professional photographers, labs, and publishers. While highly functional, it maintains a minimalistic design.
The internal components seem well-crafted, as they have continued to function flawlessly twenty years post-manufacture. Considering the complexity of this device and its precise moving parts, it must have been engineered for durability.
**Batch Scanning:**
Scanning film is a time-consuming task that often lacks the excitement of shooting film; hence, many photographers seek out batch scanning solutions. The Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 5000ED was designed to expedite this process without compromising quality through its multi
The Nikon Super CoolScan 5000 ED is Nikon's quickest dedicated 35mm film scanner, produced in the early 2000s and 2010s. It stands out as one of the rare vintage devices that can connect to contemporary computers using USB 2.0 without any problems or need for alterations. In this extended review, I will examine the experience of digitizing film with this scanner and compare the outcomes to those from other well-known tools, including PrimeFilm XAs, a professional film lab, and the Sony a7III digital camera equipped with a macro lens.