Question on Reflecta RPS-7200 Professional

[Andrea Taurisano]

Hi guys

I'm considering the purchase of a Reflecta RPS-7200 Professional scanner (not the cheaper Proscan 7200). The strong point of this scanner is the possibility of batch scanning entire rolls without having to sit there and load one or few 6 frame strips at the time, like most other film scanners require.

However, I couldn't find any info on whether this scanner enables scanning of (part of) the film sprockets or at least a thin unexposed stripe around the frames, something I'd really appreciate. Has anyone experience with this scanner and can answer this (as well as providing any other feedback you feel like)? Thanks

 

[jschrader]

I just made up my mind to buy the same machine. If you wait some time, I may be able to answer.

I understand your problem because I always prefered the "HCB" style of printing 35mm negatives in the lab uncropped with a thin black frame. It was always tricky because it was necessary to adjust the negative by 1/10mm. And it depended on the enlarger. And on the camera. 24x36 is not the same in all cameras.


By the way, I hope someone will know the answer and reply; there is not much traffic on the scanner threads

 

[jschrader]

Where will You buy it? I did not find a cheaper source than "ScanDig.de" in Munich (430.- Euro without software). In the US, the similar device is much cheaper (there is a question from me below, but I did not get much feedback ) :bang:

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

Where will You buy it? I did not find a cheaper source than "ScanDig.de" in Munich (430.- Euro without software). In the US, the similar device is much cheaper (there is a question from me below, but I did not get much feedback ) :bang:

Thanks. I'm not going to buy it before a month or two, and hope someone will share some more thoughts before that. For me it would be a major plus to be able to scan a thin black edge around the frames, so if that turns out impossible with the Reflecta, I may look at other scanners, even though they may not offer the batch scanning of the whole roll.. We'll see, but please do let me know when you get yours! Hope it satisfies you.

 

[dct]

Did you see this parallel thread? I think it is about the same scanner.
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137195

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

Did you see this parallel thread? I think it is about the same scanner.
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137195

Yes (after I posted mine). But neither me or the other OP are getting much feedback, partly because the scanenr forum has less traffic and partly because the scanner we're asking about isn't that popular, I guess. I've also seen the original review of this scanner, but they say nothing about scanning frame edges.

 

[sixpence]

Hi,

I use the Reflecta with Silverfast software for my 35mm scanning. Even as a more or less unexperienced "hybrid workflow guy" I get results I am happy with so far. I have only used it in a frame-by-frame-workflow and only with black and white so far, the whole batch scanning has not worked out for me (uneven positioning of frames). It does not take that long to scan this way, since I try to keep everything basic and rather do my adjustments in LR afterwards. I gave up fiddling with the scanner software and rather try to make a flat/ low contrast scan in highest resolution 🙂

With regards to your question about scanning sprocket holes. Never tried it, basically you center and adjust your frame in the little preview window on top of the scanner which shows you your scanning area. There might be a possibilty with the zooming-function in Silverfast so you scan parts of the sprocket holes but basically I think you get what you see in the preview window and the film is advanced through the scanner along the sprocket holes, so I doubt it. Maybe someone more experienced with the scanner and more insight into scanning than I have might have a better answer...

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

.. the whole batch scanning has not worked out for me (uneven positioning of frames). ..

Hmm.. that's exactly what I feared to read in response to my enquiry.

I suppose that, in order to batch-scan a whole film in the absence of an operator, a scanner needs to either clearly identify the first frame and then advance the film by fixed 1-frame equivalent spaces, or see where each frame's boundaries are in order to position the advancing film correctly for each new frame. The first method is probably little realistic, as the space between frames is not the same for all cameras and may even vary on the same film roll in some cases. So I guess this kind of scanners are based on the second method. Unfortunately it may be very hard for the scanner to identify frame edges in dark exposures (ex. night shots), which is probably why you experienced uneven positioning. Too bad, if that's confirmed by more users.

 

[sixpence]

...right, a series of night shots can be quite tricky to scan by centering the frames in the little window even when scanning in the frame-by-frame mode, been there...

BUT: Dont`t get me wrong, I am quite new to the whole scanning-thing and have only worked with the Reflecta so far. There might be some lack/ limitation of operator skills involved. I am sure there are more experienced users on this forum who have worked out the batch scanning function.

On the other hand I am very pleased with the quality of the scans and the prints turn out well. I am still considering a V700 though, since it would be great for getting a faster overview of the frames on a roll.

 

[jschrader]

I received the machine yesterday.
It will not be possible to scan with a margin, the window is too small. Additionally, you cannot adjust the negative precisely enough.

So far I use the Cyber View software that is included but I am sure this will not change with other software.

Sorry or the bad news.

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

Well, thanks for reporting. If you use Mac, you may want to check the availability of new drivers before you update to new operative system.. many scanners (including my Epson) are now useless until new drivers will be released..