Re: filmscanners: Where to buy a Minolta Scan Elite

["Al Bond" <al@greenspace.freeserve.co.uk>]

Hi Martin,

> After much research I have decided that a Minolta Scan Elite

I've got one.  It's a nice scanner.

> I was all set to go to Jessops (who had it listed at £699), however they
> now tell me it is obsolete and they no longer sell it.

> Firstly, is it really obsolete, or is it just Jessops that have stopped
> stocking it. It is still listed on Minolta's web site and they don't
> appear to have anything new with similar features, so I am guessing it is
> just Jessops.

Maybe there is some confusion at Jessops: they have been discounting the 
previous 
model, the Scan Speed, for some time and perhaps they got mixed up with that.  
But 
it certainly isn't listed on the Jessops web site now.  (Having said that, with 
the new 
Canon and Nikon scanners on the way, I'd be surprised if a replacement for the 
Elite 
wasn't too far away.)
 
> Secondly, can anyone recommend somewhere where I can go to try one before
> I buy it. I live in Cambridge, UK. I'd prefer somewhere local, but am
> prepared to travel as far as London if necessary.

Difficult.  Jessops don't seem to carry all their stock in all their branches 
and, even 
where they have a reasonable stock range, they don't always seem to have demo 
scanners.  There are some London based shops that hire scanners, which might be 
an 
option.  At least then you could try the Elite and, if you like it, buy it from 
one of the 
cheaper retailers.

The mail order company Speedgraphic (www.speedgraphic.co.uk) do the Elite for 
£629 
or £669 inc SCSI card, plus £3.90 P&P.  It might be worth checking availability 
with 
them before you go further, in case the Elite really is going to be hard to get.

Let us know what you find out!



Al Bond