I wrote a review of the Pacific Image XA for 35mmC

[Huss]

... There is simply not enough R&D going into this space. That's why the lab-scanners like Noritsu and Frontiers do so well with color neg, the companies invested a lot of time into getting them done quick.
... Not everything in photography is going to be simple and automated. People have been a little spoiled and they need to adjust their mindset. The more you put into your scan, the more you get out of it.

You admit there is not enough R&D done by the makers of these consumer scanners, while Noritsu and Frontier got it right. But then when some of us complain about this, we are spoiled?

Yes, by using Noritsu and Frontier machines! No wonder Pacific Image and the others don't make a decent product. They rely on customers with low expectations.

Let me know your thoughts!

Really? It hasn't played out that way seeing how anyone who voiced a differing opinion has been treated.

Anyway, nice blog article. Thanks for confirming the quality of the product.
I'm out.

 

[Kamph]

http://gifrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Shocked-Troy-Walks-Into-Fire-With-Pizza-Community.gif

What happened?

 

[SaveKodak]

http://gifrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Shocked-Troy-Walks-Into-Fire-With-Pizza-Community.gif

What happened?

This is quite typical for an RFF discussion. Some people just see the world a little cockeye'd. Those folks also tend to frequent online forums.

 

[SaveKodak]

You admit there is not enough R&D done by the makers of these consumer scanners, while Noritsu and Frontier got it right. But then when some of us complain about this, we are spoiled?

Yes, by using Noritsu and Frontier machines! No wonder Pacific Image and the others don't make a decent product. They rely on customers with low expectations.



Really? It hasn't played out that way seeing how anyone who voiced a differing opinion has been treated.

Anyway, nice blog article. Thanks for confirming the quality of the product.
I'm out.

It's quite clear man. It takes a little more work but the PIXA outputs a higher resolution scan, with lower noise. So yes, a lab scanner makes a file with decent color and decent resolution quickly, but the PIXA outputs a higher quality file after do you the requist work. So for making prints up to 10x12, or posting online, you may be well served with lab scans. However if you're making fine art prints with a 13x19 and up printer...well you might ultimately want a better file. The lab scanners aren't even capable of multi-exposure/sample. I see a need for both personally, but were I doing a gallery show, the PIXA would be my choice.

 

[Kamph]

It's quite clear man. It takes a little more work but the PIXA outputs a higher resolution scan, with lower noise. So yes, a lab scanner makes a file with decent color and decent resolution quickly, but the PIXA outputs a higher quality file after do you the requist work. So for making prints up to 10x12, or posting online, you may be well served with lab scans. However if you're making fine art prints with a 13x19 and up printer...well you might ultimately want a better file. The lab scanners aren't even capable of multi-exposure/sample. I see a need for both personally, but were I doing a gallery show, the PIXA would be my choice.

Not too sure about that claim. I've worked with the top model from Noritsu and can tell you that it's a damn impressive scanner. These scanners are serious money, and I would be very, very surprised if a budget film scanner such as the PIXA could deliver a higher quality file. It beats a coolscan 9000. Now, the operator plays a big role as always, but you can't fault the scanners for that.
I operate a drum scanner on a daily basis but was still impressed by the Noritsu.

The PIXA looks like a really good buy for the money though!

 

[SaveKodak]

Not too sure about that claim. I've worked with the top model from Noritsu and can tell you that it's a damn impressive scanner. These scanners are serious money, and I would be very, very surprised if a budget film scanner such as the PIXA could deliver a higher quality file. It beats a coolscan 9000. Now, the operator plays a big role as always, but you can't fault the scanners for that.
I operate a drum scanner on a daily basis but was still impressed by the Noritsu.

The PIXA looks like a really good buy for the money though!

Haha well we're at a standoff I would say then. I'm not aware of a Noritsu that out-resolves the Coolscan 9000 at 4000ppi. I think even it's measured optical resolution is 3900 or something like that. From my experience with the Coolscans and other tests I've seen online the Nikon's often come pretty close to Imacons, so much so that for many images an Imacon is not a worthwhile improvement. The Nortisu's are great, they make great files in their class and for workflow they can't be beat. But I'd be shocked if they could beat a well done Coolscan file. As this relates to the PIXA my point is that for it's price, yes it's coming very close to that level of quality. 33mp scans, and I personally think I'm getting great color, other RFF members notwithstanding.

 

[patsesson]

After saving up some money i did get here in Europe the Reflecta RPS 10M scanner, which is the same but under different branding.

The user feedback of this is all over the place, positive and negative.
I just recently started to shoot film in general, 35mm and would like the "best scans" possible in my budget. Got VueScan Pro also, shall see what comes out of this.. 🙂

Got some C-41 and B&W waiting for scanning and also home developement.

Will have to try out different workflows with VueScan, this one seems interesting also http://benneh.net/tech****/vuescan-colorperfect-a-guide/?goal=yes
Got the PS subscription, not really used it ever, only LR before.

BTW big thank you for the original guest review article! 🙂

 

[teddy]

My life is busy, two kids, work, house work, photography - it took me two years to get a decent scan from an Epson 3170. Kids made life too difficult so I took my photos to a pro lab. The Fuji Frontier is an amazing scanner, the colour... But this PIXA is also amazing and with patience and a good setup I could probably get this scanner to output 95% of what the Frontier does... Colour in C41 negs is a matter of taste. Black and white even more so - but E6 does not leave any room for correction, but I'm confident a good setup and workflow would be fantastic on this scanner.

I would buy one, it could do a lot of good out of my hobby. It certainly outputs some quality negs.