Get the Primefilm XA

[SaveKodak]

I picked up a Pacific Image PrimeFilm XA scanner a few weeks back and have been getting acquainted with it. I have to say I can't believe this thing has not gotten it's due praise. It's fantastic. Scans are very compatible to what I was getting on a Coolscan 5000 and the scan time is fairly quick. I use Vuescan and my color, B&W and slide film have been all pretty great. Color negative is probably the most challenging to scan but it's not too bad. Mostly just nailing the color can be hard. This weekend I finally figured out how to make it batch scan a full roll and it did a bang up job. I walked away for an hour or so and when I came back I was happy with pretty much each scan. The level of detail I'm getting has been the biggest improvement over lab Frontier or home V700 scans. They just jump off the page more. And you can tell the DMAX is more than adequate to the task. I'm getting 33mp scans that have the density and sharpness that I KNOW is present in the film. Unlike a V700 scan where you always know you're missing something. Combined with Zeiss glass in my Leica you can really see the difference. It's also gotten me to really appreciate Delta 100. That film scans so clean!

Anyways, just thought I'd point out that the Plusteks get all the attention but the PrimeFilm is the sleeper hit. 🙂

 

[Jhausler]

Totally agree. I just sold my Primefilm XA here on RFF. It was pretty awesome. It also gave me a new appreciation for Ilford Delta 100 and 400.

I think it gets a bad rap because Silverfast (which comes with it) is buggy as hell and painful to use.

 

[brennanphotoguy]

Stop telling everyone.

 

[unixrevolution]

It looks nice. Unfortunately I'm married to my flatbeds because I have to scan LF and MF as well.

 

[SaveKodak]

Yeah my desk is currently hosting a V700 and the Primefilm. It's uh...cluttered. However for me the scanner made 35mm viable again. You just lose too much with the flatbeds IMO. Though with bigger formats I was generally more satisfied. Especially 4x5.