Harry Lime
Practitioner
Has anyone heard anything about a release date for the 8000 series of scanners?
Apparently they are the same hardware as the 7000 series, but they ship with Silverfast 8.
Anyone?
Apparently they are the same hardware as the 7000 series, but they ship with Silverfast 8.
Anyone?
nekorat
Newbie
I talked to a technician from Plustek on the same matter and yes he said it is merely the same product with Silverfast 8.
The thing is that even with the current OpticFilm 7600 Ai you can upgrade the bundled silverfast 6.6 to 8 with a free of charge so there really is not point of spending extra 100 or so...
I called them specifically asking of the new "LED light source" which I thought would make somewhat of a difference in color scanning buy their said it would not affect quality of an image. well maybe longevity of it?
Anyways, hope this helps!
The thing is that even with the current OpticFilm 7600 Ai you can upgrade the bundled silverfast 6.6 to 8 with a free of charge so there really is not point of spending extra 100 or so...
I called them specifically asking of the new "LED light source" which I thought would make somewhat of a difference in color scanning buy their said it would not affect quality of an image. well maybe longevity of it?
Anyways, hope this helps!
Harry Lime
Practitioner
Thanks for the info.
The 7000 series used a fluorescent light source?
The 7000 series used a fluorescent light source?
Zonan
Well-known
At least some of the Nikon scanners use LEDs, I believe, and there was some criticism about them being harsher and resulting in higher contrast. That may have changed with the 9000. In any event, yes, they should have the advantage of longevity. I sold my wonderful Minolta MF Scan Multi because it was impossible to get replacement bulbs, even from Japan. Bulb goes, you're dead. Sad...
Harry Lime
Practitioner
I have both the 5000ED and 9000ED and both use an LED. Previously I used Minolta scanners and they were fluorescent.
I would describe the difference as the same seen between diffusion and condenser enlargers.
Personally I prefer LED. They are more stable and longer lived. There are a lot of perfectly good Minolta scanners out there with burned out bulbs that otherwise would still be functional. Really a shame, because those were good scanners.
I would describe the difference as the same seen between diffusion and condenser enlargers.
Personally I prefer LED. They are more stable and longer lived. There are a lot of perfectly good Minolta scanners out there with burned out bulbs that otherwise would still be functional. Really a shame, because those were good scanners.
Dante_Stella
Rex canum cattorumque
I have both a cold-light scanner (Sprintscan 120) and an LED one (LS-8000ED). I would not underestimate the difference between light sources - and I would worry less about a bulb burning out than I would picking the wrong tool for the film I was scanning.
First, I don't know what kind of bulbs were being used in the Minolta scanners, but in my discussions with the people who took over Polaroid's service, I learned that Sprintscan 120 bulb burnouts were very, very rare, despite the heavy use that most examples were being put to (they told me that routine service like cleaning/alignment was pretty much the only thing that they needed to address).
Second, scanners, like digital cameras, can have moiré - or something very analogous to it. You don't recognize it the same way - but you will see it when you scan a relatively grainy 400 film at maximum resolution (like old Tri-X). The accentuated grain becomes part of your data set, it looks excessive compared an optical print, and most algorithms for reducing the size of the file will preserve (if not increase) the grain because it resembles fine detail. I find this highly counterproductive, and it comes out a lot more with the LS-8000ED than with the Sprintscan (assuming you use a glassless carrier with either). The same is true of scratches on the film - which if you are lucky are localized and don't run along the path of film travel.
People will hem and haw about "resolution," but trying to get the last 10% out of a 12,000 x 8,000 scan (or even half that for 6x4.5) is already overkill for any ultimate application (especially since 240dpi is all you need for most digital printers) - and doing so at the expense of the final product can be problematic. I think it's better to do a bicubic sharper reduction from a very slightly less acute file than it is to live with the speckles (or touch out the tiniest dust and scratches).
Third, LED does have the advantage for slide film, since you can crank up the power to see through the dense parts of the transparency. This is where the LS-8000ED shines.
Finally, watch the carrier size. A couple of new 120 scanners have a film opening that might require you to re-cut your film. One of the reasons I still keep the Polaroid is that you can put a strip of 4 6x6 frames into the carrier. You can't scan all of them with Vuescan (you can with Polacolor Insight), but you don't have to hack the strips into smaller pieces. The Nikon only has a 6x20 opening, which means that for things like 6x12 (which already requires stitching), you have to scan single frames.
Dante
First, I don't know what kind of bulbs were being used in the Minolta scanners, but in my discussions with the people who took over Polaroid's service, I learned that Sprintscan 120 bulb burnouts were very, very rare, despite the heavy use that most examples were being put to (they told me that routine service like cleaning/alignment was pretty much the only thing that they needed to address).
Second, scanners, like digital cameras, can have moiré - or something very analogous to it. You don't recognize it the same way - but you will see it when you scan a relatively grainy 400 film at maximum resolution (like old Tri-X). The accentuated grain becomes part of your data set, it looks excessive compared an optical print, and most algorithms for reducing the size of the file will preserve (if not increase) the grain because it resembles fine detail. I find this highly counterproductive, and it comes out a lot more with the LS-8000ED than with the Sprintscan (assuming you use a glassless carrier with either). The same is true of scratches on the film - which if you are lucky are localized and don't run along the path of film travel.
People will hem and haw about "resolution," but trying to get the last 10% out of a 12,000 x 8,000 scan (or even half that for 6x4.5) is already overkill for any ultimate application (especially since 240dpi is all you need for most digital printers) - and doing so at the expense of the final product can be problematic. I think it's better to do a bicubic sharper reduction from a very slightly less acute file than it is to live with the speckles (or touch out the tiniest dust and scratches).
Third, LED does have the advantage for slide film, since you can crank up the power to see through the dense parts of the transparency. This is where the LS-8000ED shines.
Finally, watch the carrier size. A couple of new 120 scanners have a film opening that might require you to re-cut your film. One of the reasons I still keep the Polaroid is that you can put a strip of 4 6x6 frames into the carrier. You can't scan all of them with Vuescan (you can with Polacolor Insight), but you don't have to hack the strips into smaller pieces. The Nikon only has a 6x20 opening, which means that for things like 6x12 (which already requires stitching), you have to scan single frames.
Dante
mdruziak
Established
FYI, we introduced the the LED illumination system with the 7400 and 7600i scanners a few years ago.
The 74/7600 hardware is identical to the 8XXX hardware.
The benefits of an LED illumination system are that it uses less power, is more stable and lasts longer.
The 74/7600 hardware is identical to the 8XXX hardware.
The benefits of an LED illumination system are that it uses less power, is more stable and lasts longer.
Harry Lime
Practitioner
Harry Lime
Practitioner
Well, in this day and age of recycled scanners I would advise against purchasing one with a fluorescent bulb. There is a long running dimage scanner list over on yahoo and it's awash with desperate pleas for replacement bulbs. I hear what you are saying about the advantages / disadvantages of the different types of light sources, but in these unpredictable days I would put my money on longevity.
DNG
Film Friendly
The 8000 series has 64bit Hardware, where the 7400/7600 has 32bit hardware that you can upgrade the drivers to allow them to used with 64bit Software
Now, does upgrading the driver of 32bit hardware to run the 64bit SF Software. (it is still 32bit hardware)... make a difference in speed?
I have a Plustek 7300 (32bit hardware) with an updated 64bit driver so I can use the SF 8 SE 64bit software. I don't see that much difference.
I would guess the 8100/8200Se/8200Ai with 64bit hardware + SF 8-Se/Ai//64bit is faster than any 32bit scanner with a 64bit software driver running SF8/64bit
I am going to upgrade my 7300 to a 8200Ai, (99% sure) FOR the 64bit hardware.... But, that will be in Feb/March 2013.
(Bold words = updated specks from the Plustek website)
Now, does upgrading the driver of 32bit hardware to run the 64bit SF Software. (it is still 32bit hardware)... make a difference in speed?
I have a Plustek 7300 (32bit hardware) with an updated 64bit driver so I can use the SF 8 SE 64bit software. I don't see that much difference.
I would guess the 8100/8200Se/8200Ai with 64bit hardware + SF 8-Se/Ai//64bit is faster than any 32bit scanner with a 64bit software driver running SF8/64bit
I am going to upgrade my 7300 to a 8200Ai, (99% sure) FOR the 64bit hardware.... But, that will be in Feb/March 2013.
(Bold words = updated specks from the Plustek website)
jtm6
Well-known
I bought a 7600 based on Plustek's word (from mdruziak above). If this is true DNG, this news would be very disappointing.
DNG
Film Friendly
From my understanding it is 64bit hardware....
Here is the "Features" capture from Plustek...
The 7400/7600 don't say "64bit hardware and software support". BUT, if have a 64bit OS and Scanning Software, you can update the scanner driver to use the 64bit software on your 64bit computer..
Now, that 3rd point above could also mean that the 8000 series has the 64bit driver pre installed with scanner software, and the Hardware is the same as the 7400/7600.
Here is the "Features" capture from Plustek...
The 7400/7600 don't say "64bit hardware and software support". BUT, if have a 64bit OS and Scanning Software, you can update the scanner driver to use the 64bit software on your 64bit computer..
Now, that 3rd point above could also mean that the 8000 series has the 64bit driver pre installed with scanner software, and the Hardware is the same as the 7400/7600.
DNG
Film Friendly
I did write Plustek 8000 series about the hardware. is it native 64bit, or native 32bit with built-in drivers for 64bit OS and Software.. will post my reply when I get it.
DNG
Film Friendly
Plustek REPLY:
Plustek REPLY:
Good news jtm6
The 8000 series is compatible with 64bit/32bit hardware/software "out of the box"...
My understanding of the reply below is that it is indeed the same scanner hardware as the 7600 series.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hardware Native Bit for 8000 series
Q: Does the 8000 series of 35mm scanners have native 64bit Hardware, or 32bit Hardware with a 64bit supplied driver with the Scanner Software?
A:> All Of our 35mm Film scanners are compatible with Win 7 64bit and win 7 32bit.
Q: Your features list says, "64bit hardware and software support" What does mean?
A: > That just means scanner driver is compatible with 64bit computer and also the Software is compatible as well.
Q: 64bit Hardware, or 32bit hardware with 64bit drivers built in?
A: >Just like I stated above that just means its compatible with both,
I will attach a link so you can check out the compatibility yourself and see which system are scanners will run with , see Link:
http://plustek.com/usa/support/os-compatibility.html
------------------------------------------------------------------
Plustek REPLY:
Good news jtm6
The 8000 series is compatible with 64bit/32bit hardware/software "out of the box"...
My understanding of the reply below is that it is indeed the same scanner hardware as the 7600 series.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hardware Native Bit for 8000 series
Q: Does the 8000 series of 35mm scanners have native 64bit Hardware, or 32bit Hardware with a 64bit supplied driver with the Scanner Software?
A:> All Of our 35mm Film scanners are compatible with Win 7 64bit and win 7 32bit.
Q: Your features list says, "64bit hardware and software support" What does mean?
A: > That just means scanner driver is compatible with 64bit computer and also the Software is compatible as well.
Q: 64bit Hardware, or 32bit hardware with 64bit drivers built in?
A: >Just like I stated above that just means its compatible with both,
I will attach a link so you can check out the compatibility yourself and see which system are scanners will run with , see Link:
http://plustek.com/usa/support/os-compatibility.html
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