New Plustek OpticFilm 120 Scanner Surfaces(sort of)

[StoneNYC]

I have betterscanning holders with and without ANR glass, and I have the old-style Minolta holders with bars, and I don't see an advantage for one over the other, except that ANR glass introduces extra dust.

In 35mm?

Sometimes I have to use 2 ANR glass pieces of 120size just to get the 35mm flat enough because its so curly, you must live on Arizona or someplace with low humidity...

sometimes with the OEM holders the film literally pops out mid way from the curl, it's really bad...


~Stone

Mamiya: 7 II, RZ67 Pro II / Canon: 1V, AE-1, 5DmkII / Kodak: No 1 Pocket Autographic, No 1A Pocket Autographic | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[artobest]

you must live on Arizona or someplace with low humidity...

You must be joking, I live in Wales

sometimes with the OEM holders the film literally pops out mid way from the curl, it's really bad...

Are you talking about the Epson OEM holders? Of course they don't work, but the Plustek ones are very different. If past experience is anything to go by, the bars across the film will be enough to tame the curl.

 

[StoneNYC]

You must be joking, I live in Wales




Are you talking about the Epson OEM holders? Of course they don't work, but the Plustek ones are very different. If past experience is anything to go by, the bars across the film will be enough to tame the curl.

Yes I meant the Epson lol, that's basically why I was asking if the Plustek ones were better/different. Sounds like they are, good to hear

And yes, Wales I probably wetter than here


~Stone

Mamiya: 7 II, RZ67 Pro II / Canon: 1V, AE-1, 5DmkII / Kodak: No 1 Pocket Autographic, No 1A Pocket Autographic | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CGW]

Any OpticFilm 120 reviews surfacing anywhere? Know a few appeared just after the roll-out but after that? Nada. Nothing...

Is this just a total non-newsworthy item or are sales/interest just not there?

 

[pschwart]

Any OpticFilm 120 reviews surfacing anywhere? Know a few appeared just after the roll-out but after that? Nada. Nothing...

Is this just a total non-newsworthy item or are sales/interest just not there?

I recall reading that Plustek prioritized backorders over review units. Not having reviews in the pipeline seems like a big mistake to me unless you think your product is not up to snuff. Then again I wouldn't create a $2k scanner with fixed focus and no glass carrier option.

 

[CGW]

I recall reading that Plustek prioritized backorders over review units. Not having reviews in the pipeline seems like a big mistake to me unless you think your product is not up to snuff. Then again I wouldn't create a $2k scanner with fixed focus and no glass carrier option.

Hard to interpret, isn't it? The release priority is laudable--paying customers first. Still, there appeared to be some QC issues as reported here. Doing a film scanner now was definitely ballsy but, like you, I'm still puzzled by the features/price point. Still think someone will crank out an affordable thingie for DSLR scanning that will put a huge dent in the surviving affordable film scanner business.

 

[Felinik]

The lack of reviews and the loooooong waiting made me think twice in the end. I will keep my Epson v500 for MF and prints, and have ordered a Reflecta RPS 7200 Professional (Pacific Image) for 35mm, it even takes entire rolls in a batch... The RPS 7200 has autofocus, I have not received it yet, but there's a bunch of reviews out there and loads of samples on Flickr et al.

 

[StoneNYC]

It might simply be that re pre-order was such that they aren't worried about demand and when they get the pre-orders done, they can have reviews and the kick up a new line of orders from the reviews getting more overall new orders as other people might drop off after the reviews become old in their minds...


~Stone

Mamiya: 7 II, RZ67 Pro II / Canon: 1V, AE-1, 5DmkII / Kodak: No 1 Pocket Autographic, No 1A Pocket Autographic | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jd callow]

It might simply be that re pre-order was such that they aren't worried about demand and when they get the pre-orders done, they can have reviews and the kick up a new line of orders from the reviews getting more overall new orders as other people might drop off after the reviews become old in their minds...


~Stone

Mamiya: 7 II, RZ67 Pro II / Canon: 1V, AE-1, 5DmkII / Kodak: No 1 Pocket Autographic, No 1A Pocket Autographic | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

That and the fact it is good customer service to to take care of those who have been patiently waiting.

 

[gmikol]

I can sympathize with those who have been patiently waiting...

I got my replacement scanner a couple of weeks ago, and have only had limited time to play with it. Unfortunately, it appears as if something is not right with this one, either. My situation has definitely got Plustek's attention, though. And I can't fault the responsiveness of the applications engineer that has been working with me on this issue. Based purely on my own speculation, I have to wonder whether Plustek has halted additional shipments while the various software and hardware issues that have popped up get resolved.

I'll be sure to post anything I find out on this thread.

Just curious...if anyone is still reading this thread, how many people here have a pending pre-order at B&H, Adorama, etc.?

 

[pschwart]

Good luck! There are too many warning signs for me to order one of these, but it is moot as I am still getting notifications from B&H saying it is unavailable. The best customer service is shipping a product that works, on time. And I know very few who would buy an expensive piece of hardware without reading a review.

 

[Felinik]

This was why I pulled out, no real tests and a fair deal of postings from peeps with troubles.

 

[RattyMouse]

There are 3 reviews for this scanner at B & H, all positive. This scanner is the real deal it seems.

 

[StoneNYC]

Pics or it didn't happen... Full 100% at ABOVE 3200dpi pics... Or it didn't happen lol


~Stone

Mamiya: 7 II, RZ67 Pro II / Canon: 1V, AE-1, 5DmkII / Kodak: No 1 Pocket Autographic, No 1A Pocket Autographic | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[artobest]

Still plenty of teething problems with this new scanner, it seems, but judging by the samples over at RFF, when it works, it works very, very well.

 

[CGW]

There are 3 reviews for this scanner at B & H, all positive. This scanner is the real deal it seems.

No question about the existence of the thing. It's just that I'm always a bit skeptical of vendor onsite reviews. Anyone seen any extensive reviews so far?

 

[gmikol]

This one seems to be pretty comprehensive:

mikepasini.com | Photo Corners | OpticFilm 120 Arrives For Review

Others I have found are practically nothing more than an extended press release.

--Greg

 

[jd callow]

Nice review the scanner looks very promising

 

[pschwart]

This one seems to be pretty comprehensive:

mikepasini.com | Photo Corners | OpticFilm 120 Arrives For Review

Others I have found are practically nothing more than an extended press release.

--Greg

I'd like to see a head-to-head comparison with the Nikon 9000.

 

[Les Sarile]

Seems an improvement in resolution. The USAF resolution test is compared to the Coolscan which can be found -> ScanDig Nikon Super Coolscan 5000ED

Time to scan a fame appear to be more than double that of the Coolscan. Likely to get much more when ICE is enabled. On my Coolscan, just over 50 seconds with ICE and about 30 seconds without.

In the Opticfilm scan of the Kodachrome Maserati grill scan, it looks like it suffers the same anomalies that plague all other scanners using ICE with Kodachrome - except for the Coolscan 9000. It looks like the Coolscan 9000+Nikonscan's ICE is still unequaled.

Of course there are so many other factors particularly when it comes to rendering colors of negatives that likely won't get flushed out until someone has done a few thousand samples. Also build quality.

 

[pellicle]

This one seems to be pretty comprehensive:

mikepasini.com | Photo Corners | OpticFilm 120 Arrives For Review

it does?

unless they've deleted large portions I don't see:
* sample scans
* dmax testing with a reference standard
* resolution testing with any reference standard

I just saw some specs and a phone cam shot of the device and a few of its included bits.

 

[Les Sarile]

it does?

unless they've deleted large portions I don't see:
* sample scans
* dmax testing with a reference standard
* resolution testing with any reference standard

I just saw some specs and a phone cam shot of the device and a few of its included bits.

You are missing the full content. In a highlight box to the right it is titled "OPTICFILM 120 REVIEW" with the following sections:

• Arrival
• Installation
• Update
• Holders
• Scanning
• Scans
• Resolution Test
• Reflections

 

[pellicle]

thanks Les

 

[gmikol]

Don't know if anyone is still paying attention to this thread, but given that Plustek has resumed shipping OpticFilm 120 units (see news release here: http://plustek.com/usa/news/press-releases/opticfilm-120-update-5/14/13.html ), I thought I'd ask any current owners or prospective buyers this question:

Would you feel better about purchasing this unit if Plustek included a resolution target with it, so that you could check the optical performance and have a uniform method of comparing it to other users or a reference scan?

FYI -- I own a unit that was affected by the production quality issue which caused the halt in shipping last month. Now that shipping has resumed, I working with them on getting it replaced.

Just a thought that's rolling around my head...Feel free to share what you think.

--Greg

 

[pschwart]

The announcement says: "Each scanner is assembled and tested by skilled technician to ensure the image quality exceeds that of any non-drum film scanner in production or use today." That's a bold statement