Any news on the new Plustek 120 scanner?

[Keith]

Guys, lets be civil about this. I realize that people are disappointed that the scanner isn't available right now. No one is trying to deceive anyone. What would the benefit of that be?

Those of you that are or have been involved with manufacturing understand that there can be things as simple as the wrong color paint that cause delays. So launch timing isn't an exact science.

Regarding the images. We have a lot of good engineers on staff but not so many good photographers. The product manager for the OpticFiilm scanners is a good photographer, but she is busy getting this thing out the door. So what good would it be to post an out of focus photo of a wall or an unexposed photo of a lamp?

I do have decent negatives that I can scan but I was trying to get some involvement from you guys here if you were interested.

Apologies for the angst Mark ... but I think people are definitely chomping at the bit for a decent scanner. 😱

I've been battling along with my V700 for several years hoping like hell that something would surface that would be cheaper than a Nikon Coolscan and of current manufacture. The Epson's fairly good for MF but lacking for 135 when you look closely.

Cheers. 🙂

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Hang in there Mark. Apart from the content, I am hoping that the depth of emotion evident in these posts indicates the level of anticipation folks have for a new film based product. Let's face it, it is not a community whose needs are top-of-mind for most of the photography industry right now. But the film is out there and film users are too -- I am reminded every time I scan a negative how much I like the look of film, notwithstanding the current (very exciting) developments on the digital side of things.

Ben Marks

 

[Jamie123]

So what good would it be to post an out of focus photo of a wall or an unexposed photo of a lamp?

I do have decent negatives that I can scan but I was trying to get some involvement from you guys here if you were interested.

I think whatever your engineers used to determine whether or not the scanner delivers high quality scans will be enough to convince potential customers of its quality.

Also, I think you're overestimating the desire of customer involvement here. I'm sure everybody who's been following this thread would be more than happy to see some scans of your decent negs.

Lastly, I think everybody here appreciates your involvement in the thread and any kind of frustration that is voiced is surely directed at Plustek as a company and not you as an individual.

 

[rodt16s]

I would hope that the initial performance of the scanner against the design criteria would not rely on snapshots of an out of focus wall.. or whatever. But be judged against some standard test chart, so to suggest in the previous mentioned www it outperforms scanners A,B + C there must be some scans as opposed to oscilograms to back this statement up. Sorry but that's the R&D, manufacturing and design I'm used to...
We are all looking fwd to a viable scanner for MF, as can be assumed by this thread and your presence here is greatly appreciated but I'm not sure asking to borrow negs at this late stage is actually inspiring confidence.

 

[shimokita]

I realize that people are disappointed that the scanner isn't available right now.

On a personal note, I am not "disappointed that the scanner isn't available", this is business. It was the glint of interest that slipped 'twixt cup and lip that left an unpalatable taste. Somewhat like a poor gewurztraminer...

Casey

 

[Glass Addict]

I simply do not understand how a manufacturer of a film scanner do not have samples to show during its launch. As an engineer and a business man, I can understand the complexities of a new product launch but these complexities should only be superficial and cosmetic at this point and technical issues should have been resolved by now which would also mean that there is a representative scan available.
I can only conclude one of two things and neither is good for the company:

- Product was not tested enough. If product had gone through extensive testing, there should have been hundreds/thousands of scans available to show its capabilities.
- Product is not complete. There is no representative scan because the technical aspect of the product is still finalizing and is not ready for mass production.

 

[I Love Film]

The thing is, you'd better go back to school and take some marketing classes. You're turning a good thing into a PR disaster.

Have you ever read "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"?

For a year, you've been posting on an enthusiast forum about this remarkable new scanner that you've been "working on". You solicit all sorts of advice from your potential customers, and keep lifting your skirt to show them some cheap peeks at the thing.

Now, at Photokina, you only have a non-working model (presumably).

Your excuse is that you "don't have a decent negative to scan", so you can't post samples??

If that doesn't trumpet incompetence, I don't know what does. How can you develop a scanner without scanning negatives??

The excuse that you don't have any photos to scan is SO silly that you seem like a liar. (whether you are or not, I'm not making a judgement on your character, I'm just telling you truthfully how you come across to an observer.)

So you're coming across as evasive, incompetent, and someone who doesn't mind hoodwinking all your potential customers.

Nobody is going to die from lack of a scanner, but you keep teasing, making claims, and you still don't have the goods. No wonder your potential customers are turning on you.

If you want to salvage this PR mess, post an honest reply.

1) The scanner is ready to go to production, or not? Yes or no?

2) Your engineers MUST be scanning something to test the scanner if, in fact, there is actually a working prototype. Post a sample or say you don't have one. If there is a major problem with the scanner that needs a lot more time to fix, say so.

3) Don't keep posting dates and predictions. When and if it is ready, it will be ready. If the sample at Photokina is just a non-working model, say so.

4) If there is no imminent date of delivery, return the money to those who have paid or made deposits.

What you have done so far is a textbook case of alienating your customers. You are not helping your case by making ludicrous statements.

Guys, lets be civil about this. I realize that people are disappointed that the scanner isn't available right now. No one is trying to deceive anyone. What would the benefit of that be?

Those of you that are or have been involved with manufacturing understand that there can be things as simple as the wrong color paint that cause delays. So launch timing isn't an exact science.

Regarding the images. We have a lot of good engineers on staff but not so many good photographers. The product manager for the OpticFiilm scanners is a good photographer, but she is busy getting this thing out the door. So what good would it be to post an out of focus photo of a wall or an unexposed photo of a lamp?

I do have decent negatives that I can scan but I was trying to get some involvement from you guys here if you were interested.

 

[johannielscom]

Dear Mark,

I hereby publicly again offer my services to review the scanner for several English-written and Dutch-written forums, magazines or what have you.

I've got the negatives at hand to thoroughly review the scanner on IQ, handling, etc.
I've got the option to review software and use on Windows, Mac Snow Leopard and even Linux Ubuntu.
I'm a native Dutch speaker and a Cambridge-certified near-native English speaker.

My offer still stands, a PM is welcome!

 

[useless generation]

I think this scanners output will be excellent. I have a 7600 and if that could do medium format it would be awesome. The 35mm scans from it are far better than I expected

 

[Jamie123]

The thing is, you'd better go back to school and take some marketing classes. You're turning a good thing into a PR disaster.

Have you ever read "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"?

For a year, you've been posting on an enthusiast forum about this remarkable new scanner that you've been "working on". You solicit all sorts of advice from your potential customers, and keep lifting your skirt to show them some cheap peeks at the thing.

Now, at Photokina, you only have a non-working model (presumably).

Your excuse is that you "don't have a decent negative to scan", so you can't post samples??

If that doesn't trumpet incompetence, I don't know what does. How can you develop a scanner without scanning negatives??

The excuse that you don't have any photos to scan is SO silly that you seem like a liar. (whether you are or not, I'm not making a judgement on your character, I'm just telling you truthfully how you come across to an observer.)

So you're coming across as evasive, incompetent, and someone who doesn't mind hoodwinking all your potential customers.

Nobody is going to die from lack of a scanner, but you keep teasing, making claims, and you still don't have the goods. No wonder your potential customers are turning on you.

If you want to salvage this PR mess, post an honest reply.

1) The scanner is ready to go to production, or not? Yes or no?

2) Your engineers MUST be scanning something to test the scanner if, in fact, there is actually a working prototype. Post a sample or say you don't have one. If there is a major problem with the scanner that needs a lot more time to fix, say so.

3) Don't keep posting dates and predictions. When and if it is ready, it will be ready. If the sample at Photokina is just a non-working model, say so.

4) If there is no imminent date of delivery, return the money to those who have paid or made deposits.

What you have done so far is a textbook case of alienating your customers. You are not helping your case by making ludicrous statements.

Wow. While you raise some valid points, the way you bring them across deserves a hearty 'Go f-ck yourself' from all of us. Mark did not start this thread, he merely offered information to be helpful. We might all like some more information and me might not like the way Plustek is going about the product launch but there is no excuse for attacking Mark as an individual and calling him incompetent and deceitful.
He's not hoodwinking anyone. The scanner is available for pre-order on a number of online stores, not by Plustek. If those stores take pre-orders that's their decision. And nobody is being fooled into ordering this scanner on false pretenses. It's not like there are any fake samples around. If someone's going to order this thing sight unseen with no samples that's their problem. At no point did Mark or Plustek imply that there will be any shortage of devices at launch that would make it necessary to pre-order it.

 

[steveyork]

The thing is, you'd better go back to school and take some marketing classes. You're turning a good thing into a PR disaster.

Have you ever read "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"?

For a year, you've been posting on an enthusiast forum about this remarkable new scanner that you've been "working on". You solicit all sorts of advice from your potential customers, and keep lifting your skirt to show them some cheap peeks at the thing.

Now, at Photokina, you only have a non-working model (presumably).

Your excuse is that you "don't have a decent negative to scan", so you can't post samples??

If that doesn't trumpet incompetence, I don't know what does. How can you develop a scanner without scanning negatives??

The excuse that you don't have any photos to scan is SO silly that you seem like a liar. (whether you are or not, I'm not making a judgement on your character, I'm just telling you truthfully how you come across to an observer.)

So you're coming across as evasive, incompetent, and someone who doesn't mind hoodwinking all your potential customers.

Nobody is going to die from lack of a scanner, but you keep teasing, making claims, and you still don't have the goods. No wonder your potential customers are turning on you.

If you want to salvage this PR mess, post an honest reply.

1) The scanner is ready to go to production, or not? Yes or no?

2) Your engineers MUST be scanning something to test the scanner if, in fact, there is actually a working prototype. Post a sample or say you don't have one. If there is a major problem with the scanner that needs a lot more time to fix, say so.

3) Don't keep posting dates and predictions. When and if it is ready, it will be ready. If the sample at Photokina is just a non-working model, say so.

4) If there is no imminent date of delivery, return the money to those who have paid or made deposits.

What you have done so far is a textbook case of alienating your customers. You are not helping your case by making ludicrous statements.

Chill dude. If anyone needs to go back to school, then you do; to learn some manners.

 

[I Love Film]

I did not attack him personally. If you read carefully, I made a point of not blaming him.

I merely pointed out how he is being perceived by an outside observer.

Look at all the negative posts starting to appear. Do you think I'm wrong?

How is it possible that there are NO negatives available to scan? One staff member is supposed to be a good photographer, but she is too busy to supply a negative???? How can this device be developed without testing with negatives?

At that point, the story becomes absurd.

The excuse that you don't have any photos to scan is SO silly that you seem like a liar. (whether you are or not, I'm not making a judgement on your character, I'm just telling you truthfully how you come across to an observer.)

So you're coming across as evasive, incompetent, and someone who doesn't mind hoodwinking all your potential customers.

Someone needs to learn how to deal with the public, I'm doing him a favor.

 

[Jamie123]

I did not attack him personally. If you read carefully, I made a point of not blaming him.

I merely pointed out how he is being perceived by an outside observer.

Look at all the negative posts starting to appear. Do you think I'm wrong?

Fair enough. By an outside observer you're being perceived as a little sh*thead with no manners.

 

[I Love Film]

Fair enough. By an outside observer you're being perceived as a little sh*thead with no manners.

That's MR. Sh*thead to you.

 

[fventura]

Wow. While you raise some valid points, the way you bring them across deserves a hearty 'Go f-ck yourself' from all of us. Mark did not start this thread, he merely offered information to be helpful. We might all like some more information and me might not like the way Plustek is going about the product launch but there is no excuse for attacking Mark as an individual and calling him incompetent and deceitful.
He's not hoodwinking anyone. The scanner is available for pre-order on a number of online stores, not by Plustek. If those stores take pre-orders that's their decision. And nobody is being fooled into ordering this scanner on false pretenses. It's not like there are any fake samples around. If someone's going to order this thing sight unseen with no samples that's their problem. At no point did Mark or Plustek imply that there will be any shortage of devices at launch that would make it necessary to pre-order it.

I don't think he was attacking Mark in any way. But to many, the last few responses from Plustek (Mark) may lead people feeling the way "I love Film" pointed out. He was merely saying how this looks like from the potential customer's perspective.

And no, I can't believe they are developing a scanner like this, and at the point where pre orders are available, there aren't any samples !!

But anyway, I pre ordered one, like you said it's my problem. I think of this whole thing more of a PR snafu and missed opportunities with Photokina than an actual intention to mislead us.

 

[thegman]

I'm sure Mark knows this, but on the internet, the most vocal are always the aggressive minority, but that's exactly what they are, the minority. I think most of us accept that product development does not always go exactly to plan, and are happy to wait for the right product, than get a rushed out the door half-finished product.

 

[I Love Film]

I hope you get one. When the thing appears, I might be interested too.

Meanwhile, My Minolta 5400 II is perfect for all my 35mm scanning needs. The build is a little flimsy, but there is nothing better unless you go to very expensive commercial machines.

I don't think he was attacking Mark in any way. But to many, the last few responses from Plustek (Mark) may lead people feeling the way Jamie pointed out. He was merely saying how this looks like from the potential customer's perspective.

And no, I can't believe they are developing a scanner like this, and at the point where pre orders are available, there aren't any samples !!

But anyway, I pre ordered one, like you said it's my problem. I think of this whole thing more of a PR snafu and missed opportunities with Photokina than an actual intention to mislead us.

 

[fventura]

I hope you get one. When the thing appears, I might be interested too.

Meanwhile, My Minolta 5400 II is perfect for all my 35mm scanning needs. The build is a little flimsy, but there is nothing better unless you go to very expensive commercial machines.

Yep, I hope so too ! Because what I have is a V600, and I simply refuse to scan 35mm with it. B&W MF works ok, so that's what I do for now.

I'm crossing the days on my calendar to September 30th...
I do have faith that it will blow the V700/750 out of the water. PLustek 35mm scanners do get decent reviews, and the 120 seems on paper at least, a much better unit on all areas.

In short, I'm very excited and hopeful, however, I'm also prepared to be disappointed if that's the case.

Heck, I did pre-order, I must be optimistic...

 

[Jamie123]

I don't think he was attacking Mark in any way. But to many, the last few responses from Plustek (Mark) may lead people feeling the way "I love Film" pointed out. He was merely saying how this looks like from the potential customer's perspective.

And no, I can't believe they are developing a scanner like this, and at the point where pre orders are available, there aren't any samples !!

But anyway, I pre ordered one, like you said it's my problem. I think of this whole thing more of a PR snafu and missed opportunities with Photokina than an actual intention to mislead us.

Like I said, the points he raised are valid but that doesn't warrant directing any insults at Mark.

I completely agree that at this point the lack of samples is getting ridiculous. It's hard to believe (i.e. you'd be a fool to believe) that neither Plustek nor Lasersoft had any decent negs or slides at their disposal at any point during the development process since we're talking about companies whose primary business is film scanners and scanning software.

May I ask why you pre-ordered one instead of just waiting for it to become available for you to order? This is a high priced film scanner, not the newest iPhone so I doubt it will be sold out on day 1.

 

[MSUSpartan]

It's not like you need new negatives. This is film right?

If the product manager is such a good film photographer I'm sure he has a few negatives lying around somewhere?