Plustek 8200ai Replacement?

[Tom R]

I've been using a Plustek 8200Ai for several years and it's acting badly: specifically, it'll scan once, then lock-up. Yes, I've tried this with two of the most common softwares, Silverfast and VueScan, and it's pretty consistent. The only "fix" is to shutdown the software and scanner, then re-start both ... which definitely hobbles the workflow.

I work only in 35mm, both panchromatic and color negative films. I'm willing to spend more than a few hundred dollars (American) but am not inclined to part with the cost of a drum scanner.

I did a search on this forum and hadn't found anything more recent than 2016 or so ...

Naturally, any suggestions would be extremely helpful.

Thank you, in advance.

Tom R

 

[madNbad]

Start reading the thread about scanning with a digital camera. I used a Plustek 7600i prior to moving to camera scanning, both the image quality and workflow speed are greatly improved.

 

[Ricoh]

I've been using a Plustek 8200Ai for several years and it's acting badly: specifically, it'll scan once, then lock-up. Yes, I've tried this with two of the most common softwares, Silverfast and VueScan, and it's pretty consistent. The only "fix" is to shutdown the software and scanner, then re-start both ... which definitely hobbles the workflow.

I work only in 35mm, both panchromatic and color negative films. I'm willing to spend more than a few hundred dollars (American) but am not inclined to part with the cost of a drum scanner.

I did a search on this forum and hadn't found anything more recent than 2016 or so ...

Naturally, any suggestions would be extremely helpful.

Thank you, in advance.

Tom R

I have the 8200Ai and about 12 months ago I had a lock-up problem. The issue was resolved by deleting the installed version of Silverfast 8.x, then reinstalling from DVD and running the update option to 8.y.

 

[Bolo Kukus]

I had this problem with my 7600ai - it annoyed me for a few weeks, but then the Napoleon Principle somehow kicked in - it fixed itself as if by magic, and has worked 100% well since.

I also had a minor banding problem, and resolved this by carefully dismantling the scanner, vacuuming everything, hand-cleaning all the cleanable parts, and just as carefully reassembling. Bingo! The banding disappeared, and hasn't returned in two years.

Plusteks are mechanical machines and if handled with care, rarely give problems - until they suddenly expire, which they do after a certain amount of use. Then you dispose of the carcass and buy a new one. Mine has lasted me 11 years and I live in hope, but it just goes on working. It may help that I keep it permanently on a desk top, and cover it well to guard against dust and cat fur (we have four felines at home).

Not sure I would buy an 8200ai which I'm told is just an updated 7600ai. Many older models are available on Ebay at super low prices - when mine goes to the bone orchard, I will likely just take a chance and just buy one there.

Try also reinstalling the software, as someone here has suggested. Silverfast annoys the living daylights out of me, but it's the best I've found to do what it does. I use a very old (ca 2009) version, and haven't updated.

Scanning with a digital cameras - I tried it, but had too many contrast problems and went back to my Plustek. As I see it, cameras are built to take photos, and scanners to scan. I prefer to use the best tool for the results I want - scan with a scanner.