Comparison between Nikon CoolScan V and Nikon CoolScan 8000 scans of 35mm film.

A comparison of some Ektar 100 scanned on a CoolScan V (35mm film scanner) and CoolScan 8000 (35mm/120 film scanner). Both scanned at 4000dpi. I was surprised by how much cleaner the 8000 scans are. On looking this up the CS8000 apparently has a more diffused light which minimises the grain. I was so surprised I checked the scanning parameters for both images and they were the same. Both scans were done with VueScan. I think the CS V image seems to be relatively dusty, but I only had low IR cleaning on. I normally use SilverFast on the CS V so that might be more than low IR in VueScan.

Film is Ektar 100, shot on Nikon FE10 with 50mm Series E lens.

Nikon CoolScan V - full image

Nikon CoolScan V - 100% crop

Nikon CoolScan 8000 - full image

Nikon CoolScan 8000 - 100% crop

are both mirrors clean?

The CS V was bought serviced, I’ve had it for about a year, but it’s kept under a cover. I haven’t cleaned it though. The CS8000 I don’t know (but that’s not the noisy one). With SilverFast it’s still as grainy but there are no white blobs, which suggests that the dust removal is more keen.

I prefer the colour out of the 8000

Yes, I prefer the colours from 8000 - which is odd really, as they’re both Nikon machines and both using the same software.