November 2003 - New Minolta sw v.1.1.2
Few news compared to version 1.1.1. Release notes : Supported models :
DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400/ DiMAGE Scan Multi PRO/ DiMAGE Scan Elite II/ Dimage Scan Multi/ Dimage Scan Multi II
Changes :
The minor bugs in operation are fixed. (Windows/Mac)
Update (09/2003) - new Minolta sw v.1.1.1
A new sw version, coded 1.1.1 has been released by Minolta. This new version supports several different scanners from Minolta. The sw can be used also on Mac OS X.
At first glance, the Multi Pro version of the sw presents only minor improvements over the old one, the most remarkable being the addition of small histograms on the sliders of the "Exposure" tab. For the rest, the sw looks very similar to the old version.
The new sw version can be downloaded at both www.minoltausa.com (3 files) and www.minoltaeurope.com (1 file).
New sw for the Multi Pro from Lasersoft
May 2003 - Lasersoft Imaging (www.silverfast.com) has released a dedicated version of their Silverfast scanning software for the Multi Pro. A demo version is available for download here.
Update (12/2002) - new Minolta sw v.1.0.2
A new sw version, coded 1.0.2 has been released by Minolta. It is a minor improvement of version 1.0.0.
Update (8/2002) - new Minolta sw v.1.0.0
A new Minolta sw has been made available from Minolta in August 2002. The new version has the version number 1.0.0, and replaces previous version 1.0.2. This updated version is available for download at the Minolta website.
I, as many other users of this scanner, had high hopes on this update. Rumours were circulating about it being a completely different development than the older one, hence the 1.0.0 numbering.
The new things I found in the updated sw are:
The picture below is from a Kodak negative film. The new sw is clearly improved.
For the rest, however, the new sw looks the same as the old sw. :-( So, many of the limitations of the old sw remain. In addition, I have to say that in my experience the support from Minolta is almost non-existent. I never received any reply from them on any of my (many) requests.
An additional note concerning the flare issue. I initially underestimated its impact. I would say that roughly 5% of my images suffer from this problem. Depending on the type of images you process, it may become relevant. Matthias Felsch investigated this problem with Minolta. It seems it is due to a mirror in the light path in front of the CCD that has no coating. A unit sent back to Minolta and modified showed a 95% reduction of this glare, so if you have this problem I suggest you try to contact Minolta (good luck! ;-). The detail below shows this type of problem.
