Harry Lime
Practitioner
The last two high end film scanners in production have a just been discontinued due to the unavailability of certain parts.
That's a pretty big blow to institutions and professionals who relied on those machines to archive vast catalogs of negatives etc.
I guess that makes the Plustek 120 the new top dog.
Maybe it's time for Kodak to get a clue and step up to the plate with an entry, mid and high end scanner.
If you have the cash I guess someone could rig up a neg scanner with the new Fujifilm GFX100 or another medium format back for a super high quality alternative.
But regardless this is unfortunate news.
That's a pretty big blow to institutions and professionals who relied on those machines to archive vast catalogs of negatives etc.
I guess that makes the Plustek 120 the new top dog.
Maybe it's time for Kodak to get a clue and step up to the plate with an entry, mid and high end scanner.
If you have the cash I guess someone could rig up a neg scanner with the new Fujifilm GFX100 or another medium format back for a super high quality alternative.
But regardless this is unfortunate news.
KM-25
Well-known
It's simply time for either Nikon or Adobe to make DSLR scan conversion software or plug ins. I find scans from my D850 to be far better than even drum scans.
Dedicated film scanners are nice but with some tweaks, DSLR scanning is a much more versatile and practical platform in 2019.
Dedicated film scanners are nice but with some tweaks, DSLR scanning is a much more versatile and practical platform in 2019.
Skiff
Well-known
No, they are not the last two high end film scanners in production.
ICG is producing new real (not virtual like Hasselblad) drum scanners. They also deliver better quality compared to the Hasselblads (tested that myself).
https://www.icg.ltd.uk/
And on a lower, but still quite high quality level: Noritsu is also producing new professional scanners like the HS-1800.
Harry Lime
Practitioner
I had no idea that anyone was still making drum scanners. That's good news.
Although the X3/X5 have an edge with volume scanning given that you can get automatic feeders for slides etc.
Although the X3/X5 have an edge with volume scanning given that you can get automatic feeders for slides etc.
Harry Lime
Practitioner
I'm not so sure about that. I have an X5 and short of a well executed drum scan I have never seen better IQ from a scanner. I've seen DSLR scans and as good as they are I have yet to see one that's as good as the above. The bayer pattern interpolation alone, should not allow even a 850 to reach the same quality as the high resolution line CCD in the X5 (there aren't an equal amount of R,G,B receptors in a DSLR vs a line CCD).
Huss
Veteran
I have used the d850 and now use the z7 for scanning and while I am very happy with the results drum scanning is a whole other level.
brbo
Well-known
Apparently you can't get a new HS-1800 or LS-600 from Noritsu anymore. The word in Noritsu Scanner Users FB group is that they discontinued all their scanners.
Skiff
Well-known
Well, FB groups are not always reliable sources.......
.You remember all those "experts" in such groups who have claimed even until last week that Fujifilm "has stopped film production"
.Again and again people just repeat the rumors or conspiracy theories they have heard. But they don't do their own research.
Due to those who distribute and service it, they are not discontinued. But shipping time is currently very long.
https://www.noritsu.eu/hardware/noritsu-film-scanner.html
jzagaja
Well-known
Hiend scanners are now in cine industry. Best quality, lowest price per frame.
Skiff to the rescue!
Faintandfuzzy
Well-known
I would agree. Having the Bayer matrix stand between me and my film is a no go.
jzagaja
Well-known
If you want analog like image then drum type scanner with single pixel is a way to go. But then you have register error - jagged lines.
brbo
Well-known
Well, FB groups are not always reliable sources.......
That's why I named my source. All I know is that more people (people owning small dev/scan labs) reported there that Noritsu US told them they shipped their last scanner.
Do what you want with that information.
ian_watts
Ian Watts
They might do but a drum scanner doesn't help institutions like museums and those with libraries of material too extensive for drum scanning to be a practical proposition. The Imacon/Hasselblad scanners occupied an important niche and once support becomes difficult these institutions will transition to high end digital camera solutions like those provided by DT Cultural Heritage. These work in conjunction with Phase One cameras and are a significant step up in efficiency, quality and price (the 'scanning' rigs alone are circa £40,000 and that's without the camera).
Skiff
Well-known
I have to disagree here. Drum scanners have been state of the art in the industry for decades, and even in the printing industry when high quality was needed. As you can put lots of negative / slides on the drum and scan them at the same time (no other scanner can do that) scanning is even quite efficient.
I know people from the industry who have tested that in comparison to drum scans and the drum scans delivered much better results. The performance of PMT technology remains unsurpassed.
Ted Striker
Well-known
The Plustek OpticFilm 120 is out of production.
The announced Plustek OpticFilm 120 Pro so far is vaporware.
leicapixie
Well-known
It seems best bet is to scan with high end digital cameras..
Canon Canada has basically ended film scanners.
There is a "SURCHARGE" almost equal to cost of scanner!
Transport from Canon USA., to Canada.
Best bet check price with B+H.
Uh Oh! no more at B+H...
Canon Canada has basically ended film scanners.
There is a "SURCHARGE" almost equal to cost of scanner!
Transport from Canon USA., to Canada.
Best bet check price with B+H.
Uh Oh! no more at B+H...
Last edited:
dave lackey
Veteran
Hmmm... must have missed the Hasselblad announcement, or was that actually an official announcement?
If not, what sources confirm the discontinuation?
Ted Striker
Well-known
Google searches show no sign of any release date for the OpticFilm 120 Pro. Further, Plustek's web site shows no sign whatsoever that there has been an official announcement for this new scanner. No sign of it at all. Do they want potential customers to buy a competitive scanner or wait?
Vaporware.
Vaporware.
ptpdprinter
Veteran
Wouldn't it be ironic if a lack of scanners is what put the last nail in the film coffin.