The OFFICIAL Plustek 120 post your scans

[1joel1]

Okay, so in the first set, the right looks better, but in the second set, the left does. Perhaps the 120 was on the right for the first set?

Thanks,

Joel

Hi,

This is my first post here but I looked around this thread for a while...
I have my Plustek Opticfilm 120 since 2-3 weeks now and I must say that I'm really impressed with the results of scanning medium-format film compared to my Epson V750.
I tried various options to improve image quality with my Epson V750 by buying height adjusters and tried even wet-mounting with Epson's Fluid Mount Accessory and also with shims....but neither gave me really big IQ improvements in terms of sharpness or dynamic range...Maybe other users have better experience with that ?


Before ordering, I was of course dubious about the focussing issue which some first owners had with their Opticfilm 120, but couldn't resist and ordered one Opticfilm in Germany....until now no focussing issue (well I think ;-)

The only issue so far is Silverfast 8 which has some issues:
it never saves the user's preferences resolution, or some GUI related issues, like sliders are not working after scanning a lot of films,
and other stability problems (like crashes):
Lasersoft should IMHO update their QT framework with more updated, stable releases both on Windows and Mac, my iMac27 runs on Mac OS X 10.8.3.
On the plus side is that Lasersoft is quite responsive when posting at their forums...updates are made every once a month...well I hope so...

Well here are some scans I made of medium-format 6x6 film (left Opticfilm 120 @2650dpi and right Epson V750@2400dpi).
Both were scanned with Silverfast 8.0.1r22 on OS X 10.8.3 with no iSRD, no GANE, no Multi-Exposure etc. in TIFF

Removed the link to my dropbox PNG file since it doesn't work so please take a look here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1b7jv3eb7jz6gqt/V5yfSIcm1O
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lcq6hr9lx9ld42f/5xIM9ZCNIQ

Yes for me the Opticfilm 120 is really sharper and has better dynamic range than the Epson V750...

Cheers,

Gilles

 

[gilcel]

Oh yes, sorry for that!!!

For the scans with the cows, on the left is the Epson and right the Opticfilm 120....
And for the bag the Opticfilm 120 is right and on the left the Epson....

Ok I corrected it by adding notes in my initial post....
Enjoy and sorry for the inconvenience :-(

 

[bwcolor]

It sure looks like with the addition of Vuescan support and an adjustable wet mount option, this scanner will be on my radar again.

 

[fventura]

Velvia 35mm

Velvia 35mm

Got some velvia 100 & 100F scanned,
well, I need to improve my exposures, too afraid to overexpose, and end up with some slides a bit under exposed.

EOS 3 + 70-200 f2.8is
adjustemnts in LR4

crop

Links:
http://www.fabioventura.com/plustek120/e5b198d68
http://www.fabioventura.com/plustek120/e5b19895a
http://www.flickr.com/photos/josies/8638063552/

 

[BOD]

Hi,

This is my first post here but I looked around this thread for a while...
I have my Plustek Opticfilm 120 since 2-3 weeks now and I must say that I'm really impressed with the results of scanning medium-format film compared to my Epson V750.
I tried various options to improve image quality with my Epson V750 by buying height adjusters and tried even wet-mounting with Epson's Fluid Mount Accessory and also with shims....but neither gave me really big IQ improvements in terms of sharpness or dynamic range...Maybe other users have better experience with that ?


Before ordering, I was of course dubious about the focussing issue which some first owners had with their Opticfilm 120, but couldn't resist and ordered one Opticfilm in Germany....until now no focussing issue (well I think ;-)

The only issue so far is Silverfast 8 which has some issues:
it never saves the user's preferences resolution, or some GUI related issues, like sliders are not working after scanning a lot of films,
and other stability problems (like crashes):
Lasersoft should IMHO update their QT framework with more updated, stable releases both on Windows and Mac, my iMac27 runs on Mac OS X 10.8.3.
On the plus side is that Lasersoft is quite responsive when posting at their forums...updates are made every once a month...well I hope so...

Well here are some scans I made of medium-format 6x6 film
Both were scanned with Silverfast 8.0.1r22 on OS X 10.8.3 with no iSRD, no GANE, no Multi-Exposure etc. in TIFF

Removed the link to my dropbox PNG file since it doesn't work so please take a look here:

Opticfilm 120 @2650dpi and Epson V750@2400dpi:
Here a scan of a lunch bag: on the left the dryscan with the Epson V750 holder and on the right the Opticfilm 120:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1b7jv3eb7jz6gqt/V5yfSIcm1O

For the cows here, on the left is the Opticfilm 120 and on the right the scan of the Epson
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lcq6hr9lx9ld42f/5xIM9ZCNIQ

Yes for me the Opticfilm 120 is really sharper and has better dynamic range than the Epson V750...

Cheers,

Gilles

Wow... very encouraging! 🙂 I have a V700, and while I get what I consider to be really good results from it, it seems the PLustek is streets ahead here in these examples, thanks for sharing.

 

[clayne]

Digital full frame body or Plustek and keep the HB kit? Hmmmm.

Using film isn't strictly about resolution. Beautiful, dynamic range, natural response to light, workflow, process, mentality, etc. are all reasons to stick with your HB.

OK, so what is the verdict now on this scanner? I only shoot 120 MF film and currently scan with a V700.

Some of the early problems seemed to be an issue. Has Plustek solved these?

Or would I be safer just to stick with my tried and trusted V700.

Any dedicated film scanner that can scan 120 format is always going to out-resolve a flatbed. There is a *ton* of detail in medium format and a flatbed will always be lacking. It isn't until 4x5 and 8x10 that it starts to become less of an issue - but I'd argue it's always an issue.

 

[Toni Nikkanen]

I've been interested in this scanner for a really long time and I'm getting sort of convinced that I will eventually upgrade to this from my Coolscan 8000. I can easily wait over the initial problems that have been reported (focus issues, and some software problems) before purchasing.

One thing that would still speed-up my purchase decision would be to see a bunch of scans of Velvia or Velvia 50 shot in a high-contrast situation preferably with a Mamiya7, because in my use this would be the biggest challenge the scanner would have.

(I can supply some slides if anyone wants to test 🙂

 

[kanzlr]

Toni, where are you located?

 

[stormy_weather]

Trying to get familiar with my new Plustek 120...

The silverfast software will need much getting-used-to, the scanner itself is impressive (even more so since I am coming from an old Canon 8600 flatbed).

Back to scanning...

Regards,

Sven

 

[bwcolor]

Any rumblings from Hamrick and Vuescan?

 

[hanskerensky]

One thing that would still speed-up my purchase decision would be to see a bunch of scans of Velvia or Velvia 50 shot in a high-contrast situation preferably with a Mamiya7, because in my use this would be the biggest challenge the scanner would have.

(I can supply some slides if anyone wants to test 🙂

Just made a scan of a Velvia 50 image. Made that photo some years ago to test my Agfa Isolette III. The lens is a Solinar lens, which is the best lens that you could get on the Isolette.

Different sizes can be seen here :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29504544@N08/8660622681/sizes/l/in/photostream/

 

[angelog]

I Just received this email from B&H:

"Dear Customer

Thank you for your interest in the following item:

Plustek OpticFilm 120 Film Scanner
(B&H # PLOF120)

You are receiving this message because you asked to be notified when this item becomes available. We regret to inform you that this item has unfortunately been discontinued. Please check back on our website for similar or possible replacement items.

We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding."

 

[edge100]

Yep, it's not on the B&H site anymore.

 

[clayne]

I'd be surprised if it's actually discontinued. Discontinued within B&H doesn't necessarily mean really discontinued. They've done this before.

 

[Ebertoni]

God, did you see this?
http://plustek.com/usa/news/press-releases/opticfilm-120-update-4/19/13.html

 

[fventura]

some explanation,
but I would like to know how to identify such issue....


http://plustek.com/usa/news/press-releases/opticfilm-120-update-4/19/13.html

 

[Ebertoni]

some explanation,
but I would like to know how to identify such issue....

same here Fabio, mine was repaired 3 weeks ago in germany, at this point i truly hope it's a stable repair. This message is not so encouraging.
Anyway i'm going to stress it a bit on the next week...i've my fingers crossed already 😉

 

[fventura]

same here Fabio, mine was repaired 3 weeks ago in germany, at this point i truly hope it's a stable repair. This message is not so encouraging.
Anyway i'm going to stress it a bit on the next week...i've my fingers crossed already 😉

The only issue I have, ( I think! ) is with frame alignment, using MF film. It seems to me more of a software issue than anything else, but who knows...

But until the dust settles, and there's plenty of units on the market, I am not sending mine in!

Fabio

 

[kanzlr]

neither will I, as it works well and the scans look great.
The frame alignment issue is a Silverfast issue I am sure as resetting it always works.

 

[hanskerensky]

The same over here ! That scanner will only go back when Plustek offers a free Autofocus Upgrade 😀