Plustek OpticFilm 135 35mm Slide and Negative Film Scanner

2021-01-27T07:36:07

Depends on what you're looking for, here's my very positive experience. Yes, it's limited to a modest max resolution of 3600dpi, but then I'm scanning my way through my whole life's worth of family negs, and there's a limit as to file sizes I want to store, as well as the time it would take to scan at anything higher. 3600 is more than sufficient for loading onto a digital album and for prints for home use. For me, the simplicity of this unit is fantastic - and the build quality of it (especially noteable the neg and slide trays) is exceptional, solid and precise. Small desk top unit, scans up to 6 negs automatically saving hours of manual loading - I'm able to work and set up/organise at the same time. Most of my negs are cut into strips of 4, this takes just 3 mins to scan in total!! What lets it down is the really sketchy software included. I quickly ditched this and paid for VueScan (you need the 9x64 version for a mac running Mojave) and the difference is incredible!! You can scan all 6 or set parameters of how many in the holder you need to scan, and which frame no. Results are nice and make for clear images straight off, but with options to adjust and far more control. I'm scanning at 3600, output to A5 & A4 size and very happy. Coped really well with some very old BW negs that are now scanned, loaded, and scrolling away on an Echo Show in the kitchen. Perfect for me, just get the alt software!

PaoloM

2016-11-08T09:07:13

I had a bunch of film that my dad shot up through the 90's. Family photos, etc, all in great shape since my dad is very organized and cautious. I did my research and decided to give this one a chance, since it has batch scanning and the software is easy to use. Personally, I am happy with it! It scans them quickly and I can do simple edits, which is all I need. If you have photos with damage or that need lots of adjustments, you need to go for the 8200 series. They come bundled with Silverfast, which allows you to do all sorts of advanced editing, and the infrared dust and scratch removal picks up damage during the scan and fixes it. The only downside is that it doesn't do batch scanning, and I made sure to tell customer service that I think they need that on their next model back when they helped me pick my machine. If you have a ton of photos that are in less than perfect condition, then go for the 120. It's expensive, but it combines the best of all the different models. Well paid, Plustek, but I don't have that kind of money! ;)

Jennifer T.

2016-01-14T05:17:24

I was excited about the simplicity of the scanner but after scanning some of my older flim I was disappointed with the fact that it constantly clips the highlights. For this price, that is not acceptable.

nick p.

2016-01-13T08:21:37

Quality: very limited as highlights are clipped Dynamic Range claimed: 3.4 I have measured: 2.9 only Negative: No negative profiles - some negatives are really bad Preview: None Controls after scan: primitive: brightness, contrast - no gradation curves 48 bit format: no raw as 48bit already is processed with Gamma Dust and Scratch: None Price: way too high compared to a Canon 9000F (less than half the price) with dust and scratch removal, etc. Conclusion: This scanner is poorly designed - since the highlights are clipped I cannot use the 135 for any quality work. My old slides have a lot of scratches - so I would have to waste hours retouching in Photoshop since there is no dust and scratch removal feature that Nikon or Canon scanner have!! Software is too primitive for a slide scanner - Chinese design is no good!

John L.

2016-01-13T07:15:15

- bad results, especially in the highlights - only a kind of raw-scanning possible - no preview - no dust and scratch removal - you need to scan always the complete holder, only even there is only 1 slide in the film holder - no IT8 calibration - no professional scanner software I'm disappointed. My old 8200i makes better job at a lower price.

StefPhoto

2016-01-07T05:54:24

This scanner does an excellent job; very simple to set up and use. I am generally very picky about my photos, but I am impressed with the results. Great way to bring the old slides back to life. I use Photoshop for editing and optimizing the scans.

JAMES O.