New Plustek 7600i-Ai Film Scanner Review

[_larky]

Hardware wise it is the same scanner except that it doesn't have the IR channel for dust and scratch removal.

Software wise, the 7400 uses the same software as the 7600i SE so see my post above to see if you can live with the difference.

Wonderful.

You have secured a further purchase, which will take place tomorrow from Amazon.

I was just looking through some scans made today with my super cheap 5mp thing from Summit and even on that, they have a feeling I don't get from my X100. Really looking forward to seeing my watermarks in 70mp glory 😀

 

[mdruziak]

I was thinking the 7600, which I own, has a new light source that doesn't require warm-up and is more consistent.

That's why I bought the 7600...not for software.

David, both the 7400 and the 7600i scanners all have the new LED light source.

 

[floyd]

Mark do you now if there is any up and coming changes to the software you bundle with your scanners, we have had various problems with the latest Macs and Silverfast. I booked an appointment with a Mac genius in London recently it seems Silverfast still needs Rosetta installed to work on a mac. In Snow Leopard this is an optional install. When Lion becomes available later this year Rosetta is no longer supported.
Thank you Floyd

 

[mdruziak]

Mark do you now if there is any up and coming changes to the software you bundle with your scanners, we have had various problems with the latest Macs and Silverfast. I booked an appointment with a Mac genius in London recently it seems Silverfast still needs Rosetta installed to work on a mac. In Snow Leopard this is an optional install. When Lion becomes available later this year Rosetta is no longer supported.
Thank you Floyd

Floyd, this question is best answered by LaserSoft the developer of SilverFast. My suggestion is to drop them a note and I will send my contact the question also.

 

[_larky]

They do state they are working on a non Rosetta release. I believe it may already be out, but the site it confusing. I'd not worry though, you wont be upgrading to Lion straight away 🙂

 

[mdruziak]

I got a message back from my contact at LaserSoft that said they will support Lion when it is available.

 

[_larky]

Are there any example scans from the 7600 available to download?

 

[willie_901]

I make VueScan DNGs with my 7600. I used Silverfast for a long time and I just can't handle the SF user interface anymore.

 

[mdruziak]

Are there any example scans from the 7600 available to download?

There are example images floating around this forum and also the Leica forum. But you can also find a lot of images created with the 7600i on Flickr: http://bit.ly/k0OUwM

Just search for Plustek 7600i on Flickr.

 

[goo0h]

I posted this in another thread, but perhaps better to post in this one:

I wonder how easy it would be to install the software that comes with the 7600i Ai on another machine (Mac) if one upgraded/replaced machines at a later date? Since I understand SilverFast is node-locked (licensed to a particular machine), if one upgrades, are they going to have to fork out money for new license codes to be able to use this scanner?

 

[_larky]

If it's node locked, you'll need to contact Lasersoft I'd imagine.

 

[mdruziak]

I posted this in another thread, but perhaps better to post in this one:

I wonder how easy it would be to install the software that comes with the 7600i Ai on another machine (Mac) if one upgraded/replaced machines at a later date? Since I understand SilverFast is node-locked (licensed to a particular machine), if one upgrades, are they going to have to fork out money for new license codes to be able to use this scanner?

Your best bet is to contact LaserSoft on this, but I have the same copy of SilverFast Ai installed on my laptop and my desktop and I am using a standard retail version of the scanner/software.

BTW in case it isn't clear... I am the marketing guy for Plustek in the US.

 

[goo0h]

Your best bet is to contact LaserSoft on this, but I have the same copy of SilverFast Ai installed on my laptop and my desktop and I am using a standard retail version of the scanner/software.

BTW in case it isn't clear... I am the marketing guy for Plustek in the US.

I sent a query to LaserSoft, but will proceed to install the software tonight. Looking forward to trying out my new 7600i Ai! 🙂

 

[_larky]

If I can sort out the negative bend, I'm sure this scanner will be top notch. I have a new kit happy face. 🙂

 

[goo0h]

OK, I've been playing with my new 7600i Ai (on MacOS), using both the bundled SilverFast and Vuescan (used previously with an old Epson flatbed.) At the moment I'm scanning primarily black and white film, some Tri-X, some TMAX.

I've discovered that SilverFast can do multi-exposure OR multi-pass, but not both. Vuescan, on the other hand, can do both. So I'm experimenting with the various settings to see what works best with black and white film. If the tonality is pretty important, then I *think* I'm getting the best result by using SilverFast with the multi-pass set to 4.

Anyway, can folks please share what they've come up with as the best workflow for black and white silver negatives with this scanner?

 

[Harry Lime]

I'm really glad to hear that Plustek is aware of the need for a high quality 120 format scanner at a reasonable price. This is a really big deal. To put it politely, since the departure of the Nikon 9000ED, medium format shooters have been up the creek without a paddle. Thank you for making yourself available to the forum. It's really great when manufacturers are interested in hearing feedback from their customers.

A few suggestions

- Please offer glass negative carriers, even if they are optional.

- I really don't mind the manual film advance. It reduces manufacturing costs and keeps the unit compact. I travel a lot and it's nice to be able to fit the scanner in to a suitcase.

- a higher d-max is always desirable, but multi-exposure goes a long way to overcome the limitations of the hardware.

- The AI software is a GUI train wreck, but it works and the multi-exposure function is really helpful.

- How about a tiered product line? How about your current line up with the addition of a reasonably priced 120 capable unit? I'm pretty sure there is also demand for a really high quality 35/120 scanner, that deliver professional level scans. Basically a Nikon 9000ED replacement.

I currently own both the Nikon 5000ED and 9000ED, but live in constant dread of the day they break down. I plan on buying a Plustek unit to take some of the load off the Nikons for day to day scanning. Hopefully your 120 capable scanner will ship soon. I'm waiting with my credit card at the ready hand...

 

[gavinlg]

For what it's worth - Count me in as another buyer with cash in hand if Plustek makes a dedicated 35/120 scanner... Especially if it's significantly cheaper than the horrendously expensive nikon 9000..

 

[mdruziak]

Ok here is a question for you guys looking for a "reasonably priced" 120 film scanner: What is a reasonable price? What do you think street price for a 120 scanner that gives similar image quality to the current OpticFilm scanners should be?

Lets play the game this way: You list what features you want and then say what you would pay for that scanner.

If you prefer, send me a PM or an email markdruziak at plustek.com. But just remember that I can't talk specifics about products that may or may not be released.

BTW if any of your are going to be at the F295 conference in Pittsburgh this weekend, stop by to say hi.

 

[Harry Lime]

Ok here is a question for you guys looking for a "reasonably priced" 120 film scanner: What is a reasonable price? What do you think street price for a 120 scanner that gives similar image quality to the current OpticFilm scanners should be?

Lets play the game this way: You list what features you want and then say what you would pay for that scanner.

- How about a scaled up version of the 7600?
- 135/120 scanning
- Glass carrier for 135/120, even if they are optional.
- The ability to focus the lens? This may be superfluous, if we had glass carriers.
- Maybe a higher quality lens for sharper scans?
- Bump the scan res for 120 to 4000dpi?
- A higher in dmax would be desirable, but as I posted earlier, multi-exposure goes a long way...
- LED lightsource (is the 7600 LED?)

Is $1000 unreasonable? That would put it at the cost of the 5000ED, which had a motorized feed system, but only did 135 and smaller.

While we are on the subject I would also be interested in a direct replacement for the Nikon 9000ED. A truly high end unit that delivers professional scans. I think I paid about $1999 (new) for my 9000ED, plus $300 for the the glass carrier. So, $2000-3000 is not totally unreasonable for something that produced results that were equally good. Even at that price it would be a bargain, in light of what a 9000ED is going for on the used market and the next option being a imacon/Hasselblad, which is priced in a whole different league.

 

[Zonan]

I only shoot medium format now but I have a load of 35mm negs from the 80's and 90's. I want to get a decent scanner to make good scans of the best of my 35mm images. Once I have done the scans I'd sell the scanner as I wouldn't need it anymore.
I'm looking at getting the Plustek 7600i Ai - is there any reason why I wouldn't be able to sell it (such as: do I have to register the SilverFast software before I use it, which could mean that someone else would be unable to use the software)?

Cheers
Simon

PS. I would DEFINITELY be interested in a decent 120 scanner!!

Don't know if this was answered, but Silverfast allows you to transfer the software when you sell your scanner- I did that with my Nikon 5000, no problem or charge. You can call them to arrange.