Who used both and can comment on image quality?
It seems the Plustek is the hottest thing on this part of the board right now.
It seems the Plustek is the hottest thing on this part of the board right now.
willie_901
Veteran
I just bought a Plustek 7600 and I like it. Of course, more expensive scanners will do better. But the 7600 is very cost effective.
I use VueScan. I like VueScan'a ability to save a RAW file once (well, it's not really RAW) and then you can virtually rescan the file with different settings such as spot removal and grain smoothing. The Plustek's image quality is very nice. I made a 10X15 print that looked great. Once I feel the VueScan output is optimal, I do post-processing in Lightroom.
I used SilverFast with my previous scanner. I just could not take using Silverfast anymore. Even though I used SilverFast for years, it was just too painful to optimize it for the 7600. Also, I think SiverFast's pricing structure is just plain goofy.
I use VueScan. I like VueScan'a ability to save a RAW file once (well, it's not really RAW) and then you can virtually rescan the file with different settings such as spot removal and grain smoothing. The Plustek's image quality is very nice. I made a 10X15 print that looked great. Once I feel the VueScan output is optimal, I do post-processing in Lightroom.
I used SilverFast with my previous scanner. I just could not take using Silverfast anymore. Even though I used SilverFast for years, it was just too painful to optimize it for the 7600. Also, I think SiverFast's pricing structure is just plain goofy.
hanskerensky
Well-known
You can find thorough tests of both models here :
http://www.filmscanner.info/en/FilmscannerTestberichte.html
http://www.filmscanner.info/en/FilmscannerTestberichte.html
tammons
Established
Never owned a plustek, but the contrast looks weak in comparison
to top film scanners.
I had the Pacific image 7250 pro III and it was good for a solid 3600 dpi.
I wanted it mostly to scan an entire roll. Problem is it slips as it only counts motor steps, not sprocket holes like the Nikon scanners.
It also streaked pretty bad on color especially slides but was fine with B+W.
It old cheap technology since it is just a revamped Kodak scanner.
I returned it and lucked into a Minolta 5400 on fleabay for $300.
If you dont enlarge that big I would suggest getting a Minolta scan dual II, II, or IV.
The II and III will do 2800 dpi. The IV 3200.
The II and III go for pretty cheap on fleabay.
to top film scanners.
I had the Pacific image 7250 pro III and it was good for a solid 3600 dpi.
I wanted it mostly to scan an entire roll. Problem is it slips as it only counts motor steps, not sprocket holes like the Nikon scanners.
It also streaked pretty bad on color especially slides but was fine with B+W.
It old cheap technology since it is just a revamped Kodak scanner.
I returned it and lucked into a Minolta 5400 on fleabay for $300.
If you dont enlarge that big I would suggest getting a Minolta scan dual II, II, or IV.
The II and III will do 2800 dpi. The IV 3200.
The II and III go for pretty cheap on fleabay.
Nescio
Well-known
I don't own any of them, but I'm deciding on a cheap dedicated film scanner as well. First I'd suggest you read through the scanner forum threads. There's many on the subject. And keep in mind that it all depends on your workflow and/or preferences: manual/auto feed (and that means contact sheets, archiving loads of old slides/negatives or just "the best possible result from a few frames on every roll"); internet publishing/large format copies; 35 mm/roll film & larger formats; clunky software, be it Vuescan or Silverfast; a long learning curve (in case you're new to scanning) etc...
What's bothering me though, is that there are much more complaints about the Reflecta line of scanners on the forum than on the Plusteks. And 'though the complainers allways make more noise, this is a forum with many US members, and Plustek seems to be easier available in the states as well (and no, I don't think chauvinism is to blame
).
My thoughts so far on both brands (disclaimer: just from reading):
Reflecta:
good: faster than the Plusteks, but that could well be software related.
bad: more expensive, especially when buying into Vuescan or Silverfast; many complaints about banding, light source giving up after a few months; the auto feed of the RPS seems to be problematic.
Plustek:
good: cheaper and come bundled with Silverfast, which for some is a PITA, but at least it's included (but for your newly bought scanner only...). Weighs 1,5 kg, as opposed to 1,0 kg of the similar Crystal and Proscans from Reflecta. Don't know anything about this, but it seems there's a little less plastic inside.
bad:much slower and apparently producing much larger files, that take their time to downsize in PP.
On image quality, both seem on par, same resolution more or less, same D-max.
So... Good luck with your choice, and tell us your decision.
What's bothering me though, is that there are much more complaints about the Reflecta line of scanners on the forum than on the Plusteks. And 'though the complainers allways make more noise, this is a forum with many US members, and Plustek seems to be easier available in the states as well (and no, I don't think chauvinism is to blame
).My thoughts so far on both brands (disclaimer: just from reading):
Reflecta:
good: faster than the Plusteks, but that could well be software related.
bad: more expensive, especially when buying into Vuescan or Silverfast; many complaints about banding, light source giving up after a few months; the auto feed of the RPS seems to be problematic.
Plustek:
good: cheaper and come bundled with Silverfast, which for some is a PITA, but at least it's included (but for your newly bought scanner only...). Weighs 1,5 kg, as opposed to 1,0 kg of the similar Crystal and Proscans from Reflecta. Don't know anything about this, but it seems there's a little less plastic inside.
bad:much slower and apparently producing much larger files, that take their time to downsize in PP.
On image quality, both seem on par, same resolution more or less, same D-max.
So... Good luck with your choice, and tell us your decision.