Plustek Optekfilm 7200 - Opinions?

[kb244]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._A11_BBM31_A_OpticFilm_7200_Film_Scanner.html

Is where it is listed on B&H photo, it's shown in Rangefinder Magazine on page 104 of the July/2007 issue a small review on it (shown as 250$ )

I've been in the market for a dedicated 35mm scanner for a while but either didn't like the quality for the lower price, or the price was too high, even looking for like an older Minolta 5400 or Canon FS4000 scanner.

At work we use a Nikon Super Coolscan 8000 ED, but I can't get to use it too often, rarely if I can so thats not always accesible to me and I use a Canon 8400F flatbed scanner at home.

I know the plustek is probably nothing like the Nikon 8000 is at 4000 dpi, but I'm hoping to give me something that'll be better than my flatbed but not suck on the dynamic range of doing B&W.

 

[foto_fool]

I have one and it is OK for my needs. The Dmax is its limitation at 3.3 - which the more expensive scanners beat - but the resolution is as good as anything but a drum scanner. Check a discount house like Newegg for a better price, because you will probably want to upgrade the Silverfast SE software that comes with it. I have Silverfast Ai and am pretty happy with it. Some users praise Vuescan but I didn't like the user interface.

Cheers! - John

 

[Fabian]

I use the plustek for b/w exclusively and I am very happy with it. I think for high speed b/W films it is maybe even better than the nikons because you don't have to deal with grain aliasing that much.
When I initially bought it i wanted to print on my inkjet but I set up my own darkroom and now I only use it for contact printing and for web purposes.
It is getting a lot of detail out of a negative.
What do you want to do with it? Do you want to print or just show the pics on the web?


Fabian

 

[amateriat]

Previously, I'd read somewhat mixed reviews of the Plustek, but between the relatively low price, and the fact that there clearly are people here who use and like it, it's probably worth taking a chance on.

Regarding other scanners, I helped a client get hold of a Minolta 5400 like mine (first version), via the 'Bay a litttle over a week back; trouble was, the thing was so badly packed that a five-year-old could've drop-kicked the box and damaged it. It had its front panel bashed in, so back it went. We quickly got hold of a 5400 II this week (also via eBay, but picked up locally this time), much better packed, set it up, and works wonderfully. They seem to be hovering around the $400-500 range at the moment, and are clearly worth it.


- Barrett

 

[kb244]

PS: I use Vuescan so hopefully that software works with the Plustek. For the most part I just want something better than my flatbed in terms of focus and clarity (I'd be happy even if it was no greater than 4000 dpi ).

 

[Peter55]

Plustek OpticFilm 7200

Plustek OpticFilm 7200

It's a great little scanner. I got mine new from Newegg.com for $179.
It has Silverfast version 6.x bundled with it and this has many, many options and controls.

My only problem was with Window XP, sometimes Win XP would not recognize the scanner and gave a report that the USB device was not recognized. I always worked around this by unpluging the power supply to the scanner , count to 10 and plug it in again. Turn on the scanner and then Windos XP would recognizt the scanner and all would be well.
The scanner does not work with Window Vista I have been told.

I scan at 8" x 10" output and 600dpi. Sometimes 13" x 19" output and 300 to 600 dpi. It's the same as 4" x 6" output at 2400dpi.

The 7200 in the name stands for 7200dpi optical scan. I don't need files that huge. Also I read a review where they wrote that the 7200dpi was not all that sharp. I don't think I have ever used more than 2400 dpi and at this resolution I am very hapy. Sharp and large files for a nice 13" x 19" print.

It's a great and inexpensive way to own a dedicated 35mm film scanner. It does film color & B&W negatives and positives (slides) as well.

 

[amateriat]

PS: I use Vuescan so hopefully that software works with the Plustek. For the most part I just want something better than my flatbed in terms of focus and clarity (I'd be happy even if it was no greater than 4000 dpi ).

Fortunately, it does, according to the info on Hamrick's site, so you're in luck if you go for the Plustek.

This scanner's 7200dpi/ppi optical resolution spec has been batted back-and-forth since the scanner was released. It appears the best performance occurs around 4000dpi, but as always, it pays to play around with the thing yourself. For the money, I suppose one can't complain much!


- Barrett