Pakon Scanner

[Harry Lime]

I got hold of the newer software (3.0), and I have just scanned 2 rolls (of uncut film), 1 Tri-x and one Tmax400. Looks stunning.

Really? This is with a 135 and the new software?
That would be amazing. Can you say which version this is and where it can be found?

thanks!

 

[wblynch]

From the release notes:

PSI/IQueue II Version 3.0 Build 3.26

May 17, 2007
Changes in this version:

...

Built with FX35 SDK 3.1 that adds black and white scanning on an F135 and F135 Plus.

PSI EasyOrder and classic view scan dialog now include options for scanning Black and White C41 when connected to either an F135 or an F135 Plus scanner.

Enabled the 16 base Gain Test for an F-135 plus. Previously this option was hidden.

 

[Harry Lime]

That is excellent news. Thanks for the info and your pm.

I'm very tempted to find one now. Being able to scan an entire roll of Tri-x in just a few moments would be terrific.

 

[Tim Gray]

Kind of wish I hadn't sold the one I had now. Then again, the whole Windows XP thing was a wrench in the works for me anyway.

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

hi,

downloaded the v.3 of the sw. it works as mentioned above.
i scanned an uncut roll in about 4 mins, took another min to save the images.

raytoei

 

[taemo]

just bought mine too, will join the fb group to get v3, can the pakon scan slide and 24x65?

 

[lam]

I just got me one of these and know a few others on here have them 🙂 I love it.

Wrote a short guide:
http://lamluce.net/2013/11/14/buyers-guide-pakon-kodak-f-135-plus-35mm-scanner/


Crude and crisp. by lamlux.net, on Flickr


Colorful. by lamlux.net, on Flickr


ObaMao. by lamlux.net, on Flickr

 

[Harry Lime]

Well, cross your fingers. I just ordered a Pakon 135+. Should be here in a few days and then I'll try to get it up and running.

I'm really excited about the new firmware, that will allow b/w scanning, since I still shoot large projects on film.

Recently I shot about 60 rolls, while covering a rock band and making picks and final scans nearly killed me. I spent more than a week scanning and it was such an unpleasant experience that I nearly went digital.

In any case it will be a pleasure to bang through a few rolls on the 135 and then make final master scans on my Nikon.

 

[Harry Lime]

What flavor of XP are you all running with the Pakon software?

Does it require a specific service pack (1,2,3?)?
Are you running XP Pro? Home? XP64?

I'm going to try and run XP on my mac in Fusion. Worst case I'll find an old PC somehwere.

thx

 

[Dave R.]

What flavor of XP are you all running with the Pakon software? Does it require a specific service pack (1,2,3?)? Are you running XP Pro? Home? XP64? I'm going to try and run XP on my mac in Fusion. Worst case I'll find an old PC somehwere. thx

I'm running XP pro service pack 3 (32bit) on a MacBook Air using VMware fusion. Also using version 3 of the Pakon Software. So far it's running good with this combination, I have mostly scanned old strips of color negs so far, but also did one uncut roll of Tmax 400 with good results, and minimal errors.

 

[Harry Lime]

I'm running XP pro service pack 3 (32bit) on a MacBook Air using VMware fusion.

thanks for that. That is similar to what my setup will be.

 

[Tijmendal]

Ok, so I just got my Pakon delivered (that is to say: my friend brought it across the pond from the US) and I'm trying to get this thing working.

I'm running OS X Mav on an MBP, and running XP (SP3) in VMWare. I installed all the drivers/software succesfully (got that from the FB page) and when I try to open PSI it gives the following errors. First this:

Followed by:

After pressing OK both times, the software closes itself.
When I plug the scanner in, I get a prompt that new hardware is connected, so that can't be the problem...
Anyone? Thanks!

 

[Tijmendal]

Follow-up post (because I know how awesome it is when someone does these):
What was wrong was that I didn't install the software through the Windows software that connects the hardware and software. What I had to do was just plug it in and then automatically that wizard pops up. i dismissed it at first because I figured I had the software installed already. All I had to do was look for the .exe setup file in the Pakon folder and voilá!

 

[wblynch]

Thanks for the follow-up Tijmendal. It will help future readers.

I run my Pakon on XP Media Center from 2003 with Service Pack 3 and all updates. I have no problems but there are many enterprising souls that have made this work on Apples and newer versions of Windows.

 

[Harry Lime]

Question. So, I got my 135 up and running on my Mac and XP etc

I don't seem to be able to export or maybe even scan images at 16bit. I can't get it to scan higher than 8bit.

I am scanning Tri-X, Arists Tri-X and TMY-2 400

I selected

Film Color: C41 B/W
Resolution: 16 base
Number of Strips: Single


When I export I select:

- Save as RAW
- Use scanned resolution
File: Tiff


But when I examine the image it is always 8bit at roughly 2000x3000.

It definitely is a 135 PLUS scanner that should be able to do 16bit scans. Or at least that is what the "About Pakon" hardware spec / status is showing
(I think the standard 135 was limited to 8bit)

Any suggestions?

thanks in advance

 

[David_Manning]

Resurrecting an old post...I just pulled the trigger on an F135 for $250. I'm not a Facebook member...can anyone point to a link for the v3 software that handles b&w?

Thanks in advance...very excited to try this machine.

 

[wndysrf]

Hi David,
here's a link to v3.0:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/o7hyo3uh3y6av4r/PakonUpdate.zip

I do highly recommend you join the facebook group as there's ample support provided there if you run into issues, and tips for getting the most out of your scans.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/PakonF135/

 

[David_Manning]

Wndysrf, thanks so much for the link!!!

There is a Flickr group for the Pakon too...

 

[froyd]

I know the Pakon has worked for some user in the XP virtual box of Win7. Does Win8 offer a similar XP emulation mode? I'm still on 7 and I'm wondering about the long term longevity of the Parkon if XP support fades away (XP is no longer supported by MS, but Win7 will presumably be supported for many more years...).

 

[Tijmendal]

Question. So, I got my 135 up and running on my Mac and XP etc

I don't seem to be able to export or maybe even scan images at 16bit. I can't get it to scan higher than 8bit.

I am scanning Tri-X, Arists Tri-X and TMY-2 400

I selected

Film Color: C41 B/W
Resolution: 16 base
Number of Strips: Single


When I export I select:

- Save as RAW
- Use scanned resolution
File: Tiff


But when I examine the image it is always 8bit at roughly 2000x3000.

It definitely is a 135 PLUS scanner that should be able to do 16bit scans. Or at least that is what the "About Pakon" hardware spec / status is showing
(I think the standard 135 was limited to 8bit)

Any suggestions?

thanks in advance

I find this interesting as well. Do you happen to have ever gotten an answer to this? I'm not concerned with resolution and all that jazz too much, but if you can, whwy not?