Nikon Coolscan

All About the Nikon CoolScan Scanner

In the 1980s, Nikon released the first CoolScan scanners. These early scanners were designed to capture 35mm film negatives, allowing users to enhance their film images digitally. The Nikon CoolScan product line was discontinued in the 2000s, but interested shoppers can still find these scanners for sale on eBay.

How do Nikon CoolScan devices work?

These film scanners use various technologies to enhance the quality of film negatives and film slides. To transfer an image to digital format, users first place their film or slide in the designated Nikon CoolScan slot. Once the scanning process begins, the image is digitized and enhanced by the following:

• Illuminate and scan - Inside each Nikon CoolScan device is a set of LEDs, which illuminate the film image. When the image is sufficiently illuminated, a light-sensitive sensor captures it. The scanned image is digitized and saved in the user's preferred format, like JPEG or TIFF.
• ICE Software - Nikon CoolScan devices are also equipped with ICE (Image Correction Enhancement) technology, which assesses the film image for dust particles and irregularities. It finds all particles suspended on the film emulsion thanks to carefully placed LEDs, and it digitally removes them.
• ROC Software - The CoolScan's ROC (Restoration of Color) software helps to brighten and clarify the color of the scanned image.

What is the Nikon CoolScan LS-3500?

The Coolscan LS-3500 was Nikon's first film scanner. Released in 1988, it was built to scan 35mm film and slides. Unlike all other Nikon CoolScan models, this early scanner uses a halogen light to illuminate and scan the film images. The highest possible resolution for scanned images is 4096 by 6144 pixels.

What modern Nikon CoolScan models are there?

• CoolScan LS-10 - Released in 1992, two versions were available: a scanner compatible with DOS and a scanner compatible with Apple software.
• CoolScan LS-3510 - The LS-3510 model was the first CoolScan scanner to offer a resolution of 5000 by 5000 pixels and an autofocus lens.
• CoolScan LS-4500 - This multi-format scanner can scan large film images measuring 4 by 5 inches. It is also equipped with two different scan lenses, which can produce digital images at a resolution of 5,000 by 18,000 pixels.
• CoolScan LS-4000 ED - This Super CoolScan scanner comes with a fast Firewire connector and adapters for various types of film slides, ranging from microscope glass to standard film images.
• CoolScan LS-5000 ED - This scanner can create a high-resolution scan in just 20 seconds. It's also notable for its EDplens and USB connection.
• CoolScan LS-9000 ED - The CoolScan LS-9000 has a large lens with ED elements capable of scanning all film formats, ranging from 16mm to lab glass.