Polaroid Sprintscan 120?

blankk · May 12, 2009

Hey guys, wondering if anyone has experience with this scanner. I'm looking for an affordable dedicated medium format scanner and it looks as if there can be good deals found on this one. However, it also looks like they're hard to find, being discontinued. Anyone know where I can find one? Thanks!

(New or used doesn't matter)

pschwart · May 12, 2009

fourside said:
Hey guys, wondering if anyone has experience with this scanner. I'm looking for an affordable dedicated medium format scanner and it looks as if there can be good deals found on this one. However, it also looks like they're hard to find, being discontinued. Anyone know where I can find one? Thanks!

(New or used doesn't matter)

The Microtek Artixscan 120TF is the same scanner and was available until recently so you might have better luck finding one of these. The Sprintscan might have SCSI only, but I think the Artixscan had a Firewire interface. If I found one of these cheap enough I would get one myself.

blankk · May 12, 2009

I heard the same thing, but I'm just thinking the Sprintscan might be better because it's cheaper... or at least that's what I've seen. Then again, I can't seem to find one still for sale for the life of me.

donbga · May 12, 2009

fourside said:
I heard the same thing, but I'm just thinking the Sprintscan might be better because it's cheaper... or at least that's what I've seen. Then again, I can't seem to find one still for sale for the life of me.

I have a Sprintscan 120 in excellent condition. It supports SCSI or Firewire connections. There seems to be a popular myth about SCSI interfaces being difficult and slow. Nothing could be further than the truth, IMO.

I purchased my unit for $400 which is about half the average price they normally sell for. My only wish is to be able to purchase a used copy of Silverfast for the scanner since the new copy is over $500. Currently I use Vuescan which I am very familiar with but I think Silverfast is a better product; some will disagree. The included Polaroid software is okay but seems quirky to me. The scanner supports 12 bit scans.

Keep an eye on eBay for these units. Do make sure you purchase one that includes the glass film strip holder. I know one sold a few weeks back on the Large Format forum for about $800 including Silverfast and the glass carrier.

Just be aware the largest image size that can be scanned is 6x9 cm. Longer negs. or trannies will have to scanned in two parts and stitched.

Don Bryant

blankk · May 13, 2009

Thanks for the reply Don. If you don't mind me asking, where did you purchase yours from? Sounds like you got an excellent deal.

By the way, is there any way to buy the film glass holder after the fact, in case the scanner I find does not have one?

Thanks, and I like your avatar

donbga · May 13, 2009

Thanks for the reply Don. If you don't mind me asking, where did you purchase yours from? Sounds like you got an excellent deal.

eBay! I got lucky.

By the way, is there any way to buy the film glass holder after the fact, in case the scanner

Not sure about that one. Seems like most of the time those come with the scanners. However, mine is labeled Microtek not Polaroid so it might be possible to source one from or through Microtek. Unfortunately, they are no longer doing business in the US and may have limited support for this scanner for US customers if at all.

I will say that it isn't the easiest holder to use. The top piece is a bit flimsy and the film strip has to be taped in place to keep the film from curling.

Thanks, and I like your avatar

Thanks,

Don

donbga · May 13, 2009

Don Bryant said:
I have a Sprintscan 120 in excellent condition. It supports SCSI or Firewire connections. There seems to be a popular myth about SCSI interfaces being difficult and slow. Nothing could be further than the truth, IMO.

Don Bryant

I forgot to mention that I use the firewire connection. I've use SCSI cards with Microtek and Acer scanners in the past and they worked fine daisey chained together.

Now I don't have a spare slot in my PC for a SCSI card but one could use an external converter for SCSI to USB or Firewire if the device only supports SCSI, those interfaces aren't cheap, but have gotten less expensive. Ratoc makes one and Adaptec may have ones as well.

Hope this helps,

Don

blankk · May 14, 2009

Thanks for all the help Don! How often do these scanners show up, about? I'm really eager to find one. Found some examples of scans done with them and boy, it'd be a big step up from the flatbed I've got at the moment.

donbga · May 15, 2009

fourside said:
How often do these scanners show up, about?

Not to often I'm afraid. Watch e-bay everyday and do a web search daily, one will pop up eventually.

You may wish to post a WTB ad on Photo.net or Fred Miranda or Photography on The Net, RangeFinder.com or other such forums. You might even try APUG.

Don

Polaroid Sprintscan 120?

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