Pakon F135+...soft scans (!) help...

David_Manning

David_Manning

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I just bought a Pakon F135+ scanner...what a beauty. Fast fast fast. Colors are perfect. Got it running on my Retina MBPro too, under VM Fusion and WinXP.

Problem: all my scans are soft. They're too soft to sharpen properly in post.

I've run the included diagnostic software, but the only thing that deals with focus (the F135+ is focus-free) says it doesn't apply to the F135+...only the 235/335.

Anyone have experience with the Pakon? I'm not a member of Facebook, which apparently has a large Pakon group.

(BTW...joining FB isn't an option for me).

I'm hoping to get this thing up and running properly. It has me all sweaty to shoot some film again!
 
First of all: glad you like the Pakon (for the most part). I know I love mine!

I've never had a problem with soft scans. The best thing to do is probably to post some pics which you think are soft. If you've got another scanner and can scan a comparison, that would be even better.
 
Hi David

I'm researching getting one of these Pakon f135 machines for quickly previewing rolls.
My understanding is they were intended to quickly scan for small prints.
Not necessarily scan for pixel level details or big enlargements. 3000pixels on the long side is not very many in todays world.
I've seen some great results online as I'm sure you have. None of those yet have seemed "state of the art" in regards to being sharp.
Maybe what you see as soft is just about as sharp as they get??
I'll watch this thread. Thanks for posting the question.
 
like what Tijmendal has said, post some scans so that we can see how bad it is, like him I've never experienced any soft scans with the Pakon, only framing issues from rolls taken with the M3.
 
I've seen examples of Pakon scans that appear to be grain-sharp, but my scans can't resolve grain, or sharp edges.

 
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AAA Imaging, the source of the scanner I bought, has agreed that the scans are too soft. They are sending another unit.

I'm looking forward to good scans. I'm also grateful that AAA Imaging is changing out the unit.
 
David_Manning said:
AAA Imaging, the source of the scanner I bought, has agreed that the scans are too soft. They are sending another unit.

I'm looking forward to good scans. I'm also grateful that AAA Imaging is changing out the unit.
Click to expand...

That's good customer service! Glad to hear they're taking care of you.
 
I got the replacement Pakon F135+...Wow! What a difference! Grain sharp images!

I feel like I just got new cameras. Time to exercise the FE2 and Contax T3 again.

(This scanner is FAST).
 
Hi David. I seem to recall you had the Plustek 7600i before; why did you move to the Pakon? Was the Plustek not fully to your liking?
 
hi there! finally got my Pakon!

It comes with 3.0 version, is it the last for black and white negatives? Could anyoen help me getting the last software? please? :)

Thanks!
 
Bruno Gracia said:
hi there! finally got my Pakon!

It comes with 3.0 version, is it the last for black and white negatives? Could anyoen help me getting the last software? please? :)

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I believe that is the latest software. You can check the Pakon group on FB. There's a download posted in the group, but I'm pretty sure it's 3.0 as well. That's what I've been using...
 
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