The parts

With the software/drivers installed you can now connect the scanner to your computer, upon connection of the USB cable and power, your computer will automatically install the drivers. This installation was completed without any problems,

USB port and Power input	On/Off button

Film holders

The DiMage 5400 II is supplied with two holders, a slide holder which will hold four mounted slides and a 35mm film strip holder for 1 strip of six exposures. The holders are well built and rigid which should hold the film flat. The slides are held firmly in place by two springs for each slide, this holder will accommodate mounts with a thickness from 1mm to 3.2mm - glass mounted slides should not be used as the glass will interfere with the focusing. With the strip film holder the 35mm film fits under two small retaining tabs, care must be taken to ensure that the film spaces align with the frame aperture guides. Film should be loaded emulsion side down. Both holders have a securing latch to keep them firmly shut.

The two holders
Mounted slides - note springs for each slide	35mm strip film - 6 frames
Mounted slide holder	Strip film holder

You have to launch one of the Scan Utilities in order to load a film holder into the scanner. The DiMage 5400 scanner can do batch scanning, but due to the limited amount of exposures the holders can hold this scanner may not be the ideal choice for quantity batch scanning.

Scanner controls

This scanner has very few controls, starting at the top - the On/Off button - turns the power On or Off, the scan button - this launches the DiMage Scan application, the Eject button allows the removal of the film holders. Finally the Manual Focus knob - this allows you to focus the scanner, I will deal with this function later in the review. I felt that the manual focus knob could do with a better grip, it is far too smooth and I can imagine that anyone with sweaty fingers will have a problem turning it.

Only four buttons to play with	Top - Reset tool, Bottom - a slippery focus knob

The small Reset tool is used on the rare occasion when the front door doesn't close automatically, the pin shoves it closed - basic but it works.