Plustek OpticFilm 120

<p>Still no news (exact parameters, specifications, output examples) on new mf plustek scanner ?<br>

It would be nice to have any affordable and high quality replacement of Nikon's ... but I'm a bit skeptical:<br>

10660 will be number of elements (pixels) on linear CCD array, so maximum theoretical output resolution is already limited to 4200-4600 dpi (it depends on shorter side -width of the scanning area, what will be approx. 60mm)<br>

8 element lens is probably nothing special - Nikon has 14/6 lens (with 6 ED elements)<br>

So probably no drum scan killer, but there's still hope for good, nearly 4000 dpi scans :)</p>

 

<p>I'm reviewing the final product specs right now. I'll just say one thing, you better start your workout program before you buy one of these! It is HEAVY!</p>

<p>Marc:<br />If this thing can provide scans equal to or better than my Minolta Scan Multi Pro in terms of resolution, DR etc, then I'll be in</p>

<p>Cheers<br>

Tim<br>

PS any idea when Plustek will announce the final specs?</p>

<p>I know it's too late in the process to submit wishes, but as a Coolscan 8000 user, I only need the new Opticfilm 120 to provide MUCH BETTER contrast in slide film scans, and I'm buying it.<br>

Additional benefits like sharper, faster, warranty, good software that works without hacks on Windows 7 64-bit etc etc... are also welcomed.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Toni, contrast is something you add to taste in post. The higher the dynamic range the LOWER the native contrast.</p>

<p>With better contrast I mean: No flare.</p>

<p>I own the Plustek OpticFilm 7600 and if the new OpticFilm 120 can transfer the quality of the 7600 over to MF, it will already be worth buying. Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement :-) Looking forward to its release!<br>

- Chris</p>

<p>Any new info?</p>

<p>Please help a worthless old man on his "last photo legs" to make a last few images.....</p>

<p>I guess what I really hope is that between the current renaissance in "artistic" photography and the curiosity of a younger generation I'm hoping that a truly good new scanner would have the power to re-invigorate film shooting. I certainly am someone who is scanning their current output, not their historic output. I shoot film not because I don't have the choice of digital but because I choose film.</p>

<p>However, I want it to look good in its digital form since that is how images are shared and even printed these days.</p>

<p>Is there a problem? I find it curious to still hear nothing from Plustek.</p>

<p>Sam</p>

<p>I think we can be glad to have Mark from Plustek to give us updates from time to time. Usually, you do not get anything from the manufacturer before release. When Nikon delayed the release of the D800 due to the disasters, nobody was curious as Nikon did not release any info about an upcoming product before. It was just the rumor mill suggesting that delay, which was later confirmed by persons working together with Nikon.</p>

<p>Also, Mark communicates on additional platforms like Flickr where e.g. he stated that official information from Plustek USA will be released 30 days prior to sale. There are other platforms as well, just google a bit, e.g. rangefinder forum.</p>

<p>There was been a lot of information released so far, much more than usual for a manufacturer which is very kind of Plustek. It was said that the original delay was caused by the "one of the big" sensor manufacturer whose sensor devision was sold, which makes it likely that the original sensor should have been a Kodak. If you have a look at Kodaks linear CCD sensor portfolio, you'll see that they do not offer a sensor which resolution is as high as the one the new OpticFilm 120 is going to have. If there aren't sensors in Kodaks product range that are not listed in their catalog, it is likely that by switching to the new sensor, the OpticFilm 120 also gained a plus in resolution, which makes the delay really less of a worry. BTW, if I am not mistaken, the stated resolution suggests a Toshiba linear CCD sensor (TCD2957BFG) which would do the job, coupled with a respective lens. If one is interested in further technical details beyond the ones given so far, looking deeper into the sensor specs should give some info about what capabilities to expect.</p>

<p>Chris</p>

<p>@Chris Strom... You are quite the detective!</p>

<p>There are no real holdups that have been mentioned by the product manager. As was discussed previously, the sensor discontinuance was the big one. </p>

<p>Here is a little more background on what happened towards the end of last year. We were going to show the scanner at CES, but just as soon as the CES press release went out, the development team realized that they couldn't get the scanner together with the new sensor fast enough for CES. So we reissued another CES press release that didn't mention the OpticFilm 120. </p>

<p>When CeBIT came around, the re-design was far enough along to be confident that the specs and the availability were realistic enough to show the scanner at CeBIT. So under normal Plustek announcement conditions, you wouldn't have heard about the scanner until about a month ago.</p>

<p>I have to reiterate, Plustek does not want to have any false starts with this scanner. We realize that it will be under the scrutiny of many editors, users and product reviewers and we want their out of box experience to be EXCELLENT! </p>

<p>Thanks you again Mark to give us all this information !<br>

I'm sad that this is not a Kodak sensor because I scan a lot of my 16mm film with the Spirit DataCiné and the quality is amazing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_DataCine#SDC_2000_Spirit_DataCine)<br>

But like you say Mark, I suppose if there is a delay is that you "struggle" for make us a crazy scanner...I hope :)</p>

<p>The suspense is making my eyes cross. Any updates?</p>

<p>New pics ! :<br>

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.288795254540161.70751.169691449783876&type=1</p>

<p>Old pics :) :<br /> Before the CeBit, it was shown at CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show 2012 :<br />

<p>One thing that's wonderful about my Nikon 9000 is that it outputs a Nikon RAW file which makes post production fantastic. Will this unit output a RAW file?</p>

<p>The scanner will ship with Silverfast Ai Studio 8 which I think does output RAW files,</p>

<p>Mark, do you know aprox. date of its release? Thanks.</p>

<p>I emailed Plustek last week and was told it will be available in mid July.</p>

<p>Now on the plustek site<br>

http://plustek.com/mea/products/opticfilm-series/opticfilm-120/introduction.html</p>

<p>By the looks of it the lens will reduce the image to half its size on the sensor - with a 10600 ppi sensor this results in a 5300 ppi scan of the film. It is also motorized (I wonder if this might make it more difficult for Ed Hamrick to add support for this scanner to VueScan)</p>

<p>Martin:<br />Ed does that with my Scan Multi Pro so I don't see where it will be a problem.<br>

Tim</p>

<p>and no news about the price?</p>

<p>...<em>"and no news about the price?</em>"... Well into July now. Time to put up (or shut up).<br>

Anybody (at Plustek) out there..?</p>