bence8810
Well-known
Once you get access which should be quick, you'll see the new SW as the very top post on the page. Download / install and you should be good to go!
Congrats on the purchase!
Ben
Pakon Scanner
- Thread starter Tim Gray
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Once you get access which should be quick, you'll see the new SW as the very top post on the page. Download / install and you should be good to go!
Congrats on the purchase!
Ben
xavoy
Established
Thanks Ben,
Was finally approved and posted an SOS. Got some great help! It's bad news 🙁 but hopefully after a bit of cleaning and a new bulb things will work out. Fingers crossed.
Was finally approved and posted an SOS. Got some great help! It's bad news 🙁 but hopefully after a bit of cleaning and a new bulb things will work out. Fingers crossed.
bence8810
Well-known
Sorry to hear your trouble with the scanner. Weird you have a bulb issue, I thought a bulb is either lit or dead, not like yours - producing not good enough results.
I have the F135+ and I also thought mine was a lemon as it makes a sort of wining noise when the motor is turning but after 10+ rolls it didn't get worse and the quality I get from it is amazing. Thinking about buying another one in case this dies. I think I couldn't go back to scanning with a normal scanner after this.
Ben
xavoy
Established
It's very strange, looks like it could be the filter motor at this stage. Will get in touch with some people who might service it (or at least offer advice) on Monday.
And can totally understand wanting a spare. I shoot so much film atm (just took delivery of another 50 rolls today, won't last too long) that this device could potentially save me days every month. I'm already looking for a reasonably priced dead one.
wblynch
Well-known
The F-235 should scan black and white even with the older software. But the newer version is better anyway. Mostly because the packages and burning to Pakon CD works better.
By the way, PSI saves even 'black and white' as color files. You can convert them later in post processing for true grayscale.
By the way, PSI saves even 'black and white' as color files. You can convert them later in post processing for true grayscale.
bhop73
Well-known
I've been thinking about getting one of these, but curious, does it crop the frames? How close to the edges does it scan? I haven't seen anyone mention that.
That's one thing I do like about the v700 i'm using, I can get right up to the edge, or even include the frame border if I want, but it's just so slow..
That's one thing I do like about the v700 i'm using, I can get right up to the edge, or even include the frame border if I want, but it's just so slow..
jackbaty
Established
Have you seen prices on the F135 lately? I definitely got on board too late. For example, eBay seller "usedphotolab" listed them "as-is" at $330 10 days ago and now they're over $800. I bought one at $330 and 2 hours into it the power on it failed and I smelled something burning. Not good. Looking around, most folks who had them are out of stock and those that do have them (and stand by them) are selling at $800-$1000. I'm still buying another one but it's painful.
bhop73
Well-known
After my previous post I looked around the web and noticed the same thing. I guess the boat has sailed.. oh well, i'm happy with the quality of my V700, just not the time it takes to scan a roll.
David_Manning
Well-known
I can't believe I actually caught something on the ground floor!!! Usually I end up buying after the trend catches fire and I pay full retail.
A scan today from some film I exposed Sunday, Contax T3...
A scan today from some film I exposed Sunday, Contax T3...
bence8810
Well-known
Yes it does crop a bit. There is a registry patch you can pass on the Windows XP host machine that extends the edges a little but there's still a little crop. As we know, negatives aren't perfect rectangles and with a flatbed we adjust the crop factor ourselves with the Marque. However, in the Pakon everything goes automated so it'll crop a little more just to be sure. I haven't found this to be troubling and besides I have a V750 which I can use for scans where I really need perfection. (this has yet to happen!)
I love the pakon and feel like a fool for not buying two while I could. Wonder what I'll do when this goes belly up....
Ben
wblynch
Well-known
Those Pakon F-135's were dirt cheap because a flood of them hit from all the CVS stores that dumped them.
Sooner or later they had to get absorbed. Looks like now is the 'sooner'...
Sooner or later they had to get absorbed. Looks like now is the 'sooner'...
nikku
Well-known
Yep, looks like it. Wish I would have heard about these before this week. I love my Coolscan but do not love the scanning times. But at least my Coolscan does B+W and E6 with no issues.
Of course what I'd really like is a Kodak HR 500....😀
GarageBoy
Well-known
Dammit... missed the boat...
Why can't someone clone one of these and call it day?
Why can't someone clone one of these and call it day?
froyd
Veteran
These went for thousands of dollars when new, so I would not expect a new one to cost any less than the current jacked-up prices.
Of course, when you get used to something costing $250 it's hard to see it go up to #350 and the current $1000 insanity.
For me speed is not paramount, but automation is. I don't mind feeding one roll and then go do something else for one hour. It's still faster than a trip to the minilab and I can do other things. Plus, depending on the scanner, results tend to exceed the minilab auto settings, especially on challenging negs.
For $1000 there are better full automation alternatives to the Pakon, but for $350 it was hard to beat despite its quirks.
WJJ3
Well-known
Pakon 135s are selling for a grand now? Maybe I should sell mine and use the money to build a darkroom 😉
It looks like AAA has them listed for $350...
It looks like AAA has them listed for $350...
WJJ3
Well-known
xavoy
Established
What alternatives would you suggest for $1000?
nikku
Well-known
Yes, please enlighten us...the roll film adapter alone for the Coolscan 4000/5000 currently sells for $1000+. I don't know of any dedicated film scanners that can scan an entire roll at a time as fast as the Pakon (and still fit on a desktop).
Tijmendal
Young photog
Glad I bought mine a little over a year ago for 250$... 🙂
froyd
Veteran
I don't know of any scanner faster than the Pakon nor to have better profiles for the most common emulsions. The sub $1000 alternative provides better IQ, more ability to have the scanner do the least processing (via Vuescan), and full automation. Please PM.
Xavoy, not sure if a sub-$1000 is available in AU.
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