Pakon f135 vs f235 vs f335

[2wenty]

Hey guys. Since Im going broke having my film lab developed I figured I create my own mini lab.

Just got a Jobo for c41 / e6 processing. Probably have researched at least 15 hours on scanners but no clear choice can be made yet. I have a v600, but its honestly kinda crap.

I really like the way the scans come back from the Noritsu HS1800 but they cost way too much.

I want to be able to scan black and white, e6 and c41.

The next step was something that could feed a whole role and still look decent. In comes the Pakon. While I kinda think the colors look a little weird it seems the best choice for the money as far as I can tell.

Im curious if you guys know what the difference would be between the f135 vs f235 vs f335.

Would they all be the same resolution and the scanning is faster or can I get a better scan out of the f235 or f335?

I can't seem to find very much info on the f235 and f335.

Also Im still thinking about a frontier sp3000.

Thanks

 

[2wenty]

Found it.

Okay, it seems the scan quality is the same with the 135plus (not shown here) as the f235 and f335. The f235 and f335 seem to be more about what kind of film you can scan and speed of scanning.

Still curious if you can do black and white and e6 on the f135/plus? I know there is a way to get the regular f135 to scan a full 2000x3000 resolution also.

 

[kxl]

I'm biased, but I think the Nikon Coolscan 5000 may be a better option for what you want to do.

F135 - You can get 3000x2000 resolution if you do not use the proprietary PSI software, but I don't think you get automatic color correction. No E6.

F135 Plus - $750 to $800. No E6.

F235 - use halogen light (v. others using LED's) that is reportedly prone to failure. I'd pass on this

F335 - Good luck finding one. 3000x2000, 16 bits/channel, color, E6, B&W. Probably expensive.

 

[2wenty]

I'm biased, but I think the Nikon Coolscan 5000 may be a better option for what you want to do.

F135 - You can get 3000x2000 resolution if you do not use the proprietary PSI software, but I don't think you get automatic color correction. No E6.

F135 Plus - $750 to $800. No E6.

F235 - use halogen light (v. others using LED's) that is reportedly prone to failure. I'd pass on this

F335 - Good luck finding one. 3000x2000, 16 bits/channel, color, E6, B&W. Probably expensive.

Agreed. I was looking at the Coolscan V and I guess there is a hack to feed a whole roll of film. Id like to be able to do e6 if possible.

Im really thinking about a frontier sp3000 but they are around $1800-$3000.

As cool as the f135 is Id like to be able to do 120. The v600 isn't too bad at medium format though.

Also if I had the sp3000 I could scan film for other people and just change a low amount. Like $10.

Right now scanning a roll at a lab cost around $20 which is crazy.

 

[kxl]

There is a hack for the Coolscan 4000 and 5000 to feed the entire roll, but if you want to scan 120, then you'd need the Coolscan 8000 or 9000.

Note: the hack does not work on the Coolscan V because it does not have a gate in the back for the roll to exit.

 

[splitimageview]

I'd recommend joining the facebook group, that's the go-to place for Pakon. I believe there is a hack to scan transparencies but I haven't used it.

I've had the Coolscan (all of them at one time or another) and hacked one to do the entire roll...it works, but it's very slow. The Pakon will scan a 36 exposure roll in a little over 5 min.

The Pakon also has some serious color smarts built-in, with the offset of requiring a virtual OS.

 

[splitimageview]

For 120, you'd need the 8000 or 9000 if you go Coolscan. I just sold my 8000.

 

[2wenty]

I'd recommend joining the facebook group, that's the go-to place for Pakon. I believe there is a hack to scan transparencies but I haven't used it.

I've had the Coolscan (all of them at one time or another) and hacked one to do the entire roll...it works, but it's very slow. The Pakon will scan a 36 exposure roll in a little over 5 min.

The Pakon also has some serious color smarts built-in, with the offset of requiring a virtual OS.

Thanks. Debating it. I think if I get the Pakon, Ill get the plus since it will have color correction. Thats $800 and I wont be able to scan 120.

Im trying to see what a stand alone sp3000 will cost. That way I can do everything and higher res. Not to mention it'll auto feed 35mm and 120.

 

[splitimageview]

$800 is too much. You can probably find them for less, people sell them on the fb group.

 

[2wenty]

$800 is too much. You can probably find them for less, people sell them on the fb group.

Thanks. Im just waiting to get approved into the group.

 

[edge100]

The non-Plus 135 has colour correction. No idea where that idea came from.

 

[2wenty]

The non-Plus 135 has colour correction. No idea where that idea came from.

Does color correction work with the TLX software doing full res scans (16 bit 2000x3000)?

 

[Carey M]

Does color correction work with the TLX software doing full res scans (16 bit 2000x3000)?

Yes, it does. The TLX interface is not as idiot-proof as the one on PSI, but for the most part it's easy-peasy.

 

[FujiLove]

I had a 135+. Sold it. Regretted it. Now have a non-plus and it outputs exactly the same images using TLX. Wonderful machines once set up. The Facebook group is a huge help.

 

[edge100]

I had a 135+. Sold it. Regretted it. Now have a non-plus and it outputs exactly the same images using TLX. Wonderful machines once set up. The Facebook group is a huge help.

yup. i've owned both the plus and non-plus, and the output is equivalent. the only difference is the speed (the non-plus takes about 2x the time to scan at 16base in TLX as the plus does in PSI.

 

[2wenty]

Thans for all the help guys. If I go with a 35mm scanner only Im gonna go with the Noritsu LS-600. Im trying to get a Frontier SP3000 for a decent price at the moment. Way better scans, more resolution and 120 capability.

 

[splitimageview]

I tried the 600 alongside the Pakon and kept the Pakon. Pakon had better color, better batch adjustments. higher resolution offered no real advantage due to grain. It was a lot bigger and loud. I wanted it to work out but sent it back.

 

[Jon Buffington]

join the FB pakon group. TLX can make the non plus scan 6mp, Kodak color correction included. Also, there is a plugin on the fb site to make true B&W scans in TLX (not the c-41 B&W). Slides can also be done, albeit not the quality of another scanner. However there are tutorials for you 1/2 frame, horizon, widelux and other pano shooters.

PLENTY of good info in the FB group, can't recommend joining enough.

 

[2wenty]

join the FB pakon group. TLX can make the non plus scan 6mp, Kodak color correction included. Also, there is a plugin on the fb site to make true B&W scans in TLX (not the c-41 B&W). Slides can also be done, albeit not the quality of another scanner. However there are tutorials for you 1/2 frame, horizon, widelux and other pano shooters.

PLENTY of good info in the FB group, can't recommend joining enough.

Thanks. Ive joined. Im holding out with something that has more resolution. 6mp isn't enough.

 

[Chromacomaphoto]

Following this thread with interest, only just discovered the Facebook group for Pakon peeps. Nice to know.