Plustek OpticFilm 135i - Automatic Film & Slide Scanner Review
Plustek OpticFilm 135i - Automatic Film & Slide Scanner: A Comprehensive Review
Are you tired of having shoe boxes full of old negatives and slides? Do you wish there was an easy way to convert them into digital format? Look no further, because we have the perfect solution for you - the Plustek OpticFilm 135i Automatic Film & Slide Scanner.
In this in-depth and comprehensive review, we will explore all the features and benefits of this scanner, including its high-resolution capabilities, infrared technology for dust and scratch removal, support for third-party image editing software, and compatibility with both Windows and Mac operating systems. So, let's dive in and discover why the Plustek OpticFilm 135i is the ultimate tool for preserving your precious memories.
Product Description
The Plustek OpticFilm 135i is an automatic film and slide scanner that is perfect for individuals who have a collection of 35mm negatives and slides. With its batch conversion feature, you can easily convert multiple negatives and slides in one go, saving you time and effort.
This scanner boasts an impressive resolution of 7200 x 7200 dpi, which translates to 69 megapixels for 35mm negative film and mounted slides. This high resolution ensures that your scanned images are sharp, detailed, and true to life. Additionally, the scanner supports 48-bit input and 24/48-bit output, allowing for accurate color reproduction.
One of the notable features of the Plustek OpticFilm 135i is its built-in infrared channel. This feature helps detect dust and scratches on the surface of the original negatives and slides, making it easier to remove these defects without having to manually retouch the images. This saves you valuable time and ensures that your scanned images are of the highest quality.
Another great feature of this scanner is its support for 3rd party image editing software. Whether you prefer Adobe Photoshop or GIMP, you can easily export your scanned images to your preferred software for further editing and enhancement. This gives you more control over the final result and allows you to unleash your creativity.
The Plustek OpticFilm 135i is compatible with Windows 7/8/10/11 and Mac OS 10.12 ~ 13.x, making it accessible to a wide range of users. Simply download the driver from the Plustek website, and you're ready to start scanning.
With a compact design and dimensions of 9.65"D x 13.58"W x 7.48"H, this scanner won't take up much space on your desk. It also comes with a 2-year limited warranty, providing you with peace of mind and assurance in your investment.
Overall, the Plustek OpticFilm 135i is a reliable and efficient scanner that offers high-resolution scanning, infrared defect detection, and compatibility with popular image editing software. If you have a collection of 35mm negatives and slides that you want to preserve and digitize, this scanner is a fantastic choice.
Pros and Cons
When it comes to digitizing old film and slide collections, the Plustek OpticFilm 135i is a popular choice among users. However, like any product, it has its strengths and weaknesses. Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of this automatic film and slide scanner:
Pros:
High-Quality Digital Images: One of the standout features of the Plustek OpticFilm 135i is its ability to produce high-quality digital images from film. With a maximum resolution of 7200 dpi, it captures even the smallest details, resulting in sharp and vibrant images.
Easy Setup and Secure Film Holders: Setting up the scanner is a breeze, allowing users to start digitizing their film and slides quickly. The film holders provided with the scanner securely hold transparencies and negatives in place, ensuring accurate scanning without any slippage.
Batch Scanning and Third-Party Software Support: The 135i scanner is capable of batch scanning, making it ideal for users with large collections of slides or negatives. Additionally, it supports third-party editing software export, giving users the flexibility to work with their preferred editing tools.
Cons:
Long Delivery Time: Some buyers have reported waiting for a few weeks for the scanner to arrive. This delay in delivery can be frustrating, especially for those eager to start scanning their film and slides.
Faint Lines on Scanned Images: A few users have noticed faint lines appearing through their scanned images. While this issue seems to be relatively rare, it can be an annoyance for those seeking flawless digital reproductions.
Clunky Software: The software provided with the Plustek OpticFilm 135i has been criticized for being clunky and unintuitive. Users have reported that it lacks user-friendly features, requiring additional steps and making the scanning process less efficient.
In conclusion, the Plustek OpticFilm 135i offers impressive image quality, easy setup, and the convenience of batch scanning. However, potential buyers should consider the possibility of long delivery times, the occasional presence of faint lines in scanned images, and the clunky software included with the scanner. Despite these drawbacks, the 135i remains a reliable option for digitizing film and slides, particularly for those with a large collection to preserve and share.
Customer Reviews
The Plustek OpticFilm 135i has received an overall rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars from 188 customer reviews on Amazon. Let's take a closer look at what customers have to say about this film and slide scanner.
One customer mentioned that they had to wait a few weeks for the scanner to arrive, but unfortunately, each frame they scanned had a faint line through the resulting image. They contacted tech support and received assistance. However, the specific details of the support received are not mentioned.
Another customer found the scanner capable of producing high-quality digital images from film. They appreciated the ease of setup and mentioned that the film holders securely hold transparencies and negatives.
A customer who had a large collection of slides mentioned that they were in the process of looking at over 23,000 slides and planned to select around 2,500 to digitize and store. They expressed satisfaction with the scanner's performance in handling such a vast amount of work.
One user started scanning some old slides and found the scanner to be effective. However, they pointed out that the software was a bit clunky and required additional steps.
There are also a couple of reviews in different languages. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an accurate translation of these reviews.
Overall, the Plustek OpticFilm 135i has received mostly positive feedback from customers. Users have praised its ability to produce high-quality digital images and its convenience in handling large volumes of slides and negatives. However, there have been a few concerns raised about the software's usability.
Conclusion
The Plustek OpticFilm 135i is an impressive automatic film and slide scanner that offers a convenient solution for digitizing 35mm negatives and slides. With its high resolution of 7200 x 7200 dpi, it can capture stunningly detailed images, equivalent to 69 megapixels, ensuring that your memories are preserved with utmost clarity.
One of the standout features of this scanner is its built-in infrared channel, which effectively detects and removes dust and scratches from the original negatives and slides. This saves users the hassle of manually retouching the images and ensures that the final results are clean and pristine.
The scanner also offers the flexibility to export scanned images to third-party editing software such as Adobe Photoshop or GIMP, allowing users to further enhance and edit their digitized photos according to their preferences.
While there have been a few isolated reports of minor issues, such as faint lines appearing in some scanned images, these instances seem to be rare and could potentially be resolved through technical support. Additionally, the majority of customers have praised the scanner for its ease of setup and its ability to produce high-quality digital images.
Overall, the Plustek OpticFilm 135i is a reliable and efficient scanner that offers excellent value for its price. Whether you have a shoebox full of negatives or slides that you want to preserve and share in a digital format, this scanner is a solid choice. With its impressive resolution, built-in dust and scratch removal, and compatibility with third-party editing software, it provides everything you need to digitize your precious memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Plustek OpticFilm 135i compatible with Mac computers?
No, the Plustek OpticFilm 135i is not compatible with Mac computers. It has minimum system requirements of Windows 7 or higher. If you are a Mac user, you will need to look for alternative options that are compatible with your operating system.
What is the resolution of the Plustek OpticFilm 135i?
The Plustek OpticFilm 135i has a maximum resolution of 7200 dpi (dots per inch). This high resolution allows for the capture of fine details and ensures that your scanned images are sharp and clear.
Can I scan both negatives and slides with this scanner?
Yes, the Plustek OpticFilm 135i is designed to scan both 35mm film negatives and slides. It comes with film holders that securely hold your transparencies and negatives, ensuring accurate scanning and preventing any damage to your precious memories.
Does the scanner come with software for editing and organizing scanned images?
Yes, the Plustek OpticFilm 135i comes with its own software called QuickScan Plus. This software allows you to easily edit and enhance your scanned images, as well as organize them into folders. However, some users have reported that the software can be a bit clunky and may require some getting used to.
Can I use third-party editing software with the Plustek OpticFilm 135i?
Yes, you can use third-party editing software with the Plustek OpticFilm 135i. The scanner supports exporting scanned images to third-party editing software, giving you the flexibility to use your preferred editing tools for further enhancement and customization.
What are the dimensions and weight of the Plustek OpticFilm 135i?
The Plustek OpticFilm 135i has dimensions of 9.65 inches in depth, 13.58 inches in width, and 7.48 inches in height. It weighs approximately 1612 grams, making it a compact and portable scanner that you can easily move around or store when not in use.
Are there any known issues or concerns with the Plustek OpticFilm 135i?
Some users have reported a faint line appearing on the scanned images, which may require contacting technical support for assistance. Additionally, the software provided with the scanner has been described as clunky by some users. However, overall, the Plustek OpticFilm 135i has received positive reviews for its scanning capabilities and image quality.
What is the price of the Plustek OpticFilm 135i?
The Plustek OpticFilm 135i is priced at $399.00 on Amazon. While it may be a bit more expensive compared to other film scanners on the market, its high resolution and versatile scanning capabilities make it a worthwhile investment for those looking to digitize their 35mm film negatives and slides.
