The Noritsu LS-600 is a 35mm film scanner designed for use in minilabs. Today, many photographers use it as a standalone scanner.

This article reviews the LS-600 in depth and provides detailed instructions for putting it to work!

The Noritsu LS-600, a competitor to the Kodak F135+?

Noritsu is a Japanese photography equipment manufacturer. While little known by end consumers, Noritsu is a leader in photo lab processing equipment. Noritsu has historically occupied a unique position in the market since it doesn’t produce film. As a result, it often partnered with Fuji and Kodak, producing some of Fuji’s equipment or selling its own under the Kodak name.

The LS-600 is the current Noritsu mid-range film scanner model. Two other models provide additional capabilities: the HS-1100 enables faster scanning and the HS-1800 accepts medium format film.

This article focuses on the LS-600 for two reasons:

1. It can be used at home as a standalone scanner with a computer with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 7;

2. It is now regularly available on the secondary market for around $900-$1000.

At the current price point, the Noritsu LS-600 competes directly with another mini lab scanner, the popular Kodak F135+. Because many photographers already use the F135+, this review provides side-by-side comparison of the LS-600’s results with the F135+’s. For a comparison of their specifications – see here.

As a starting point, I can say: if you like quality and speed of the Kodak F135 Plus, you will love the Noritsu LS-600!

Specifications

The LS-600 scanner supports 35mm color negative, color positive, and black & white film. You can scan by full roll or by strip of 3 or more frames. The maximum definition of the scanner is 24 million pixels.

The scanner uses Digital ICE to remove dust and scratches from scanned images. (Note – Digital ICE doesn’t work with black & white film due to the nature of the substrate used on the film.)

Manufacturer Noritsu Model LS-600 Light Source LED Max Optical Resolution 24 million pixels, 6048×4011 Film Color

Black & white

Slide (unmounted in strips as small as a single negative ) Insertion Complete roll or in strips as small as a single negative Dust Removal Digital ICE Price Second Market $950 Compatibility Any computer running Windows XP, 7, 8 or 10 Software Twain Driver (Requires Adobe Photoshop to scan) Focus Adjustment YES via maintenance menu Interface USB 2.0 Weight 37 Lbs, 16.5 kg Dimensions Approximately 12″w x 17″d x 16″h, 30cm x 45cm x 40cm

Film Retainer

The LS-600 comes with a film retainer located at the entrance of the film scanner. Often, this part is missing from second-hand scanners because it has been removed by a previous owner.

The film retainer is not essential, but it does help manage the ejection of the film during the scanning process. When you scan a short strip of 5-6 photos, it keeps the film from touching the desk/table you’re working on. When you scan a full roll of 36 frames, the retainer makes the roll into a loop so that’s shorter. For a full roll, I recommend placing the scanner at the edge of a table so that the loop can hang, but not touch the floor.

Film retainer with no film Film retainer with film ejected

Documentation

This article summarizes key steps to getting started. If you want to more detail, here are some useful documents.

File Name Description Version Download Installation Manual Detailed installation of the TWAIN Driver and System Program June 2008 Download Starting Guide Basic operation and daily maintenance April 2007 Download Operator Manual Scanning and troubleshooting guide April 2007 Download Service Manual Advanced documentation for maintenance and repair April 2007 Download

Installation

The Noritsu LS-600 offers flexibility, since it can work on any computer with a USB 2.0 port and any version of Windows from Windows XP to Windows 10. Note – this is a major advantage over the Kodak F135+ Plus, which is only compatible with the older and obsolete Windows XP.

To use the scanner, you will need to:

1. Install two applications supplied with the scanner: the Twain Driver and the System Program

2. Install a photo application that has the capability to import from a TWAIN device

Applications compatible with TWAIN Drivers

List of applications

Below is a list of software that can be used to import from a TWAIN Device and work with the LS-600.

(Details as of January 2017.)

Software Version Cost Compatibility Development Status Photoshop CS2

Adobe CS2 License Windows XP

Windows 7 Discontinued Picasa

Google 3.9.141.259 Free Windows XP, 7, 8.X, 10 Discontinued as of March 2016 XnView

XnSoft 2.39 Free Windows XP, 7, 8.X, 10 Active IrFanView

Irfan Skiljan 4.4 Free All windows versions from Windows 95 to Windows 10 Active

Note: Photoshop CS2 is available for download on Adobe servers (Requires creation of an Adobe account).

This download version is a replacement CS2 for people who originally paid for CS2. So, you must have a valid CS2 license to use it.

It’s offered for download by Adobe because the original activation servers had to be shut down for technical reasons, so if these licensed users needed to reinstall, it would not activate.

Pros and Cons

Below is a snapshot of the pros and cons of using each of these programs to scan with the LS-600.

Software Pros Cons Photoshop CS2 • Powerful post-processing capabilities • Discontinued

• Not available anymore for purchase

• Heavyweight if only for scan use

• No batch processing

• Browsing function requires Adobe Bridge Picasa • Free

• User-friendly interface

• Batch processing • Discontinued development

• Only saves in jpg format at 85% quality XnView • Free

• Active development

• Batch processing

• Lightweight

• Minimal version is enough to use the scanner • No cons – probably the best option to scan with the LS-600 IrFanView • Free

• Active development

• Batch processing

• Lightweight • Two separate windows for image browsing and thumbnail view

Scanning

Adobe Photoshop: Pre-scan, Scan, Save

There are three main steps in completing a scan using the LS-600 with Adobe Photoshop:

1. Pre-scan: Insert the film (entire roll or strip of 3 or more frames). The scanner will complete a pre-scan as you load the film.

2. Scan: In the software, review the photos visible via pre-scan and select the photos you would like to scan. In this step, you can adjust the scan settings (contrast, color, balance, shadows, and highlights) on each photo to save time in post-processing. The scanner will eject the film as it scans.

3. Save: Manually save the files that the scanner has automatically opened in Photoshop.

XnView and IrFanView: Batch Setup, Pre-scan, Scan

There are three main steps in completing a scan using the LS-600 with XnView or IrFanView:

1. Batch Setup: Select Save Directory, define filename structure, select file format.

2. Pre-scan: Insert the film (entire roll or strip of 3 or more frames). The scanner will complete a pre-scan as you load the film.

3. Scan: In the software, review the photos visible via pre-scan and select the photos you would like to scan. In this step, you can adjust the scan settings (contrast, color, balance, shadows, and highlights on each photo to save time in post-processing. The scanner will eject the film as it scans.

Completing this process for a roll of 36 photos takes approximately 30 minutes. The Digital ICE function does not affect the scanning speed.

Launch Pre-Scan Screen (Adobe Photoshop)

First open Adobe Photoshop. Then, open the scanner application via the menu: File > Import > select LS-600. The scanner’s Main Screen will open.



Photoshop Menu: File > Import > LS-600

Batch Setup (XnView)

First open XnView. Then, open the batch processing setup via the menu: File > Acquire into.



XnView Menu: File > Acquire Into

Define the parameters for the batch Processing: Directory Name, Filename structure and index, and File Format.



XnView Batch Setup Screen

When done, click on “Scan” to open the scanner’s main screen.

Pre-scan (Adobe Photoshop and XnView)

Once the Main Screen is open, select the settings for your scan.



LS-600 Main Screen

There are 3 settings to define.

1. Film Carrier



The LS-600 has two film carriers: one for the standard 35mm film and another one for the now defunct APX cassette. For the 35mm carrier, you will have to select the ratio of the scans.

Selection Description Ratio Usage 135F Full Frame 1.5 Standard 35mm film full-frame photos 135H Half Frame 0.70 For 35mm half-frame photos taken with cameras such as the Olympus Pen 135FP Panoramic 2.73 For 35mm panoramic photos taken with cameras such as the Hasselblad Xpan 135FPS Panoramic Short 2.44 For 35mm short panoramic photos

2. Input Media Type

The LS-600 can scan four different types of films.

Selection Description Usage Example of film Color (Neg) Color Negative C41 Standard Color Negative Film Kodak Portra

Kodak Ektar B/W Neg. (OB) Chromogenic Black & White C41 Black & White Film

(same developing process as negative color film ) Ilford XP2 B/W (Neg) Panchromatic Black & White Negative Film Standard Black & White Film Kodak Tri-X

Kodak T-Max Color (Pos) Color Positive Film E-6 slide Fuji Fujichrome Provia

3. Resolution

The LS-600 offers three levels of resolution.

Selection Resolution (135F) File Size (TIFF Format) 1.5MP 1512 x 1002 4.33 MB 6MP 3024 x 2005 17.35 MB 24MP 6048 x 4011 69.40 MB

When you are completed selecting your settings, click Scan. At this point, insert your entire roll of strip into the scanner. The pre-scan takes about one minute for a roll of 36 photos.



Insert the film starting with the largest frame number.

Scan

Your pre-scanned photos will now appear in a new window. You’ll be able to view six photos at a time.

Review the photos to select which to scan. Right-click on the photo to select or unselect the photo.

Selected Photo Unselected photo

As you review the pre-scanned images, you have the option to adjust the settings for specific photos. Adding this step adds time to the scanning process, but can save time in post-processing.

There are four key settings to consider adjusting.

1. Framing

To reframe the scan, use the small arrows under the photo to move the image to the right or left. This adjustment is most important when you have subjects near the edges of your photos.

Reframe to the right Reframe to the left

2. Exposure

You can adjust the exposure by clicking on the button above the white rectangle. A right click will reduce the exposure. A left click will increase the exposure.

Exposure -2 Exposure -1 Exposure 0 Exposure +1 Exposure +2

3. White Balance

As with the exposure, you can modify the white balance by clicking on the buttons above each subtractive colors: yellow, magenta, and cyan. A right click will reduce the intensity of the color. A left click will increase the intensity of the color.

4. Automatic Contrast

Other adjustments, such as the automatic contrast, can be made by opening the DSA screen for each photo. Click on the DSA button to open the screen.

By default, the Automatic Contrast slider is on “0”. I strongly recommend to move the slider around “5” or even higher.

Below you can see an example of the effect on highlights by moving the slider to the maximum of “10”. As you can see, you retrieve more details in the highlight with less contrast.

Automatic Contrast Activated Automatic Contrast Deactivated

Quality of Scans

The Noritsu LS-600 produces exceptionally high quality scans.

Below are examples of various film types. All of these images can be downloaded in full resolution – feel free to take a look and share your observations in the Comments!



Kodak T-Max 400 ISO. 24MP File Download



Kodak T-Max 100 ISO. 24MP File Download



Kodak Portra Pro 160 ISO. 24MP File Download



Kodak Portra Pro 160 ISO. 24MP File Download



Kodak Portra Pro 160 ISO. 24MP File Download



Fuji Provia 100F. 24MP File Download



Fuji Provia 100F. 24MP File Download

Quick Comparison with the Kodak F135+

If you’re in the market for a scanner, you may be asking yourself: is the quality of the LS-600 really that much higher than other scanners’? How different is it really from other products on the market?

To give you a snapshot, below is a comparison of definition, framing, and dynamic range of scans from the LS-600 and its primary competitor, the Kodak F135+.

Definition

On the surface, there’s no competition here: the Noritsu LS-600 scans up to 24 million pixels, four times the Kodak F135+’s maximum definition of 6 million pixels.

More pixels mean higher quality, right?

Not always. Quality can be influenced by additional factors, such as the quality of the focusing system and the scanner’s sensor.

I tested multiple type of films such as Kodak portra pro 160 and 400, Kodak Tri-x 400 or T-Max 100 and 400

For all these films, I was able to see a clear increase of definition by using the 24 million pixels of the Noritsu compared to the 6 million pixels of the Kodak.

As you can see from the images below, the Noritsu LS-600 improves the definition of the scan.

Scan 6MP at 100% Kodak F135 Plus Scan 24MP at 100% Noritsu LS-600

Framing

The Kodak F135+ crops photos more than the Nortisu LS-600. If you have the tendency to compose your photos with subjects close to the edge, the Noritsu may be a better choice for you.

Framing Kodak F135 Plus Framing Noritsu LS-600

Dynamic Range

The dynamic range of the Nortisu LS-600 appears to be slightly better than the Kodak F135+’s. More details are visible in the shadows and highlights. In the sample scans below, you can see the difference in the details of the boat’s engine.

Dynamic Range Kodak F135 Plus Dynamic Range Noritsu LS-600

Maintenance

Cleaning

The LS-600 can be opened without tools from the front and from one side. You can easily access the inside and efficiently clean any dust.

Focus Adjustment

If your scans are not sharp, you may need to adjust the focus of the scanner.

The good news is you can do this yourself using a hidden menu that you can access with a passcode. The bad news the adjustment requires an adjustment chart available only to Noritsu technicians. Fortunately, there’s a workaround: manually changes the focus adjustment number and re-scan the same film until you see the improvement you’re aiming for. Using this method, I’ve been able to fine-tune through just a couple of tries.

While relatively simple, these focus adjustments can be intimidating.

Here are the steps to follow:

First, you need to access the Scanner Unit Adjustment Menu.

On the scanner main screen, click on “Menu”:

The following screen will appear:

Press F1 and F9 to display the password window:



Enter password 2260 and click “OK”.

Two additional menus in blue are now available on the list:

Scanner Unit Adjustment

Self-diagnostic

Click on “scanner Unit Adjustment”.

The following screen will appear:

Click on “Focus Adjustment” and the following screen will appear:

Click on “Next” and the following screen will appear for a few seconds:

Then, the Focus Adjustment screen will appear:

Now, you have to manually change the focus value and re-scan the same film until you see the improvement you’re aiming for. Using this method, I’ve been able to fine-tune through just a couple of tries.

To make the process easier, I recommend using a high-resolution film (slide film and low ISO) and a photo with details like text that you can use to differentiate between in focus and out of focus.

Here is the example of the focus adjustment I did with my scanner:

Focus Value: 120 (Out of Focus) Focus Value: 134 (In Focus) Focus Value: 160 (Out of Focus)

Repair

The LS-600 is complex, with many moving parts and sensors. Spare parts are difficult to come by. As a result, it is challenging to repair. Fortunately, the scanner is still in production, so Noritsu offers (expensive) repair services.

So far, I haven’t need to repair my LS-600. If you have experiences to share, please tell us about them in the Comments.

One note – for those of you considering the Kodak F135+ as alternative, it is much easier to repair – even though you’re on your own without manufacturer support – because its design is relatively simple. I have successfully changed the film rollers on my scanner, which required entirely dismantling the scanner.

Conclusion

The Noritsu LS-600 is an excellent scanner, and we highly recommend it.

It easily and efficiently produces high-resolution scans with very good color accuracy and strong dynamic range. Scans require minimal post-processing, especially if you take the time to make adjustments during the scanning process, such as deactivating the Automatic Contrast functionality.

Because it’s bulky, you’ll need to clear your space on your desk or, if you’re like me, find a cabinet to house it between scans!