Any news on the new Plustek 120 scanner?

[nanthor]

I've been reading the limited info regarding the Microtek Artixscan M2 (and M2 Pro with silverfast ai studio 8) and for $875 and $1000 it looks like a great alternative to a normal flatbed. LED lights, no glass between the scanner and film, auto-focus!, scanning up to 8x10", it all sounds pretty good. Now to just wait for the USA price on the Plustek to make a decision.

 

[cabbiinc]

I had a very used Microtek Scanmaker 5. The software that came with it was limiting (previewing was something like 25 dpi so for 35mm you couldn't even tell what the image was) but with Vuescan it was decent for a 1000 dpi scanner. It didn't have IR dust removal but the glassless carrier was far better than the flatbed I replaced it with that did have IR dust removal. It also scanned larger sizes than most flatbeds, four 4x5 negatives had room to spare. It eventually developed problems and found that Microtek doesn't do anything in the United States anymore. My wife even works at a place that does nothing but service copiers, printers, and scanners and they couldn't get parts to fix it.

 

[MSUSpartan]

Let's say it's announced at Photokina, any idea on when we can actually buy one?

 

[mdruziak]

Let's say it's announced at Photokina, any idea on when we can actually buy one?

Right now the target is the end of September.

 

[MSUSpartan]

Thanks Mark. Do you have any samples yet from the Plustek 120? I really want to know how it compares to the Nikon 9000 ED...

 

[wblynch]

I am surprised they still refuse to post samples...

 

[clayne]

I don't believe anyone said anything about refusing to post samples - perhaps they're just working on things still? Scanner manufacturers are probably not the people you have to fear for pulling shenanigans at this point.

 

[mdruziak]

I don't believe anyone said anything about refusing to post samples - perhaps they're just working on things still? Scanner manufacturers are probably not the people you have to fear for pulling shenanigans at this point.

It's not that we refuse to post samples. The samples I have seen were basically snapshots used for internal testing that wouldn't show the scanner in its best form. Camera focus and/or camera lens resolution were issues with the images. I am working with the product manager to get some images that were exposed with higher quality equipment.

There are no shenanigans. Just understand that the product team is very busy and they don't have a lot of time to generate PR samples.

 

[david.elliott]

It's not that we refuse to post samples. The samples I have seen were basically snapshots used for internal testing that wouldn't show the scanner in its best form. Camera focus and/or camera lens resolution were issues with the images. I am working with the product manager to get some images that were exposed with higher quality equipment.

There are no shenanigans. Just understand that the product team is very busy and they don't have a lot of time to generate PR samples.

If you send me a preproduction unit, I'll go out with my rolleiflex, hasselblad, m3, r8, and a tripod and take all sorts of photos and make sample scans for you! 😀

edit - by the way, the photos you posted on 8/8 and 7/30 are, in my opinion, two of your best. I really like those a lot. Have always loved fog photos.

 

[mdruziak]

If you send me a preproduction unit, I'll go out with my rolleiflex, hasselblad, m3, r8, and a tripod and take all sorts of photos and make sample scans for you! 😀

edit - by the way, the photos you posted on 8/8 and 7/30 are, in my opinion, two of your best. I really like those a lot. Have always loved fog photos.

Keep on sending the compliments and I'll send you a scanner 😉

Another thing to consider is we do not have a staff photographer. Our Product Manager for the OF120 happens to be a very creative photographer, but she is very wrapped up with launching the scanner so shooting demo shots is not on her radar screen right now. I have some negatives that will be loaned to me so as soon as my scanner gets here I will have something to post.

 

[david.elliott]

Keep on sending the compliments and I'll send you a scanner 😉

Another thing to consider is we do not have a staff photographer. Our Product Manager for the OF120 happens to be a very creative photographer, but she is very wrapped up with launching the scanner so shooting demo shots is not on our radar screen right now. I have some negatives that will be loaned to me so as soon as my scanner gets here I will have something to post.

I'm always happy to help out, both with compliments and scanning. 🙂 My offer stands. If you ever feel like taking me up on it, just send me a pm!

Looking forward to seeing the scans of the loaned negatives.

 

[bwcolor]

This idea of supplying a scanner to one of the talented members of RFF that use both 35mm and MF, color and B&W is a great idea. It is easy to see who meets these criterion. I qualify in all but the talent part, so don't send me one.

This is a real marketing stroke of brilliance.

 

[defconfunk]

Keep on sending the compliments and I'll send you a scanner 😉

Another thing to consider is we do not have a staff photographer. Our Product Manager for the OF120 happens to be a very creative photographer, but she is very wrapped up with launching the scanner so shooting demo shots is not on her radar screen right now. I have some negatives that will be loaned to me so as soon as my scanner gets here I will have something to post.

Thanks for keeping us informed on this project. Personally, seeing a company directly involved with community (not just posting a facebook page) is worth more than advertisement.

I find it odd (not unsually, simply unexpected) that a company focused on optical equipment, with a specialist line of photo specific scanners, doesn't have a staff photographer. I don't mean as a full time photographer, but I would have expected you'd have more than a few really dedicated photographers on the team who could fill the role as and when needed. I would have guessed a couple of the engineers working on the film scanners would have a handful of technically excellent images that could be used.

Edit: Looking over your photo-a-day, blog you have some awesome stuff (7/1 is fantastic). Do you work totally in digital?

 

[Glass Addict]

I didn't read through all the comments as it spans 22 pages..
I'm in need of a 120 film scanner and have been waiting on this for a long time.... 🙁
Is there a semi-firm date on this scanner? If the date is too far out, I may have no choice but to resort to a used Nikon or Epson..

 

[jtm6]

I didn't read through all the comments as it spans 22 pages..
I'm in need of a 120 film scanner and have been waiting on this for a long time.... 🙁
Is there a semi-firm date on this scanner? If the date is too far out, I may have no choice but to resort to a used Nikon or Epson..

Here is the last official word I've read:

Let's say it's announced at Photokina, any idea on when we can actually buy one?

Right now the target is the end of September.

 

[caasols]

I don't know if this was posted, but I was contacted today by Plustek regarding pricing and avalibility on the new Opticfilm..

Dear Carlos Sol,

Thank you for your inquiry of OpticFilm 120.

OpticFilm 120 will be ready around end of November and beginning of
December. MSRP: 1999 Euro

Best Regards,
Nadia LU

 

[johannielscom]

Let's hope for discounts to get that scanner moving, I'm not willing to sell gear to afford the scanner...

I've found access to an Imacon for EUR 1,75 per negative and will do initial scanning at home in 1200 dpi to assess what images I want Imaconed 😎


Looking forward to seeing first scans and assess the quality of them, maybe I'll luck into a nice paid gig in the future and can afford it after all :angel:

 

[Glass Addict]

Ah.. too far away and over my budget.. 🙁

 

[mhanc]

Not a buyer at that price... Oh well.

 

[kmallick]

Fuuggget it for that price!