200MP Film Scan? YES! I've Been Scanning Film for OVER 10 years! Here's What I've Learned
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- čas přidán 25. 11. 2019
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In this video, I cover the basic functions of the Epson V850 flatbed scanner and the Pacific Image Primefilm XA dedicated 35mm (only) film scanner. I use them both with Silverfast Ai scanning software. I show off a 198MP Film Scan taken with an 60-year-old camera and offer tips and shortcuts to make scanning film easy and fun!
Get Your own Primefilm XA Scanner: amzn.to/3cySqXJ
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Get an Epson V600: amzn.to/2XMF8zV
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I have a Reflecta RPS 10M, which I think is a repackaged version of the one you have for the European market. I think it is the best. As you say, very few people know about it.
That’s true. I saw this scanner sold under a different name when I was doing my research but couldn’t remember what it was.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel
A great video and very clear to follow.
I've bought a Reflecta RPS 10M as well, and after a 2 months I've started to noticing something. I figured the film area covered by the Reflecta/Primefilm was limited horizonatally and ends up cutting off at least a 0,5mm on the sides. Comparing my scans with the same negatives scanned with other scanners (mostly flatbeds) I noticed that the aspect ration was still the same, resulting in stretched images on the Reflecta/Primefilm. It didn't bother me so much until I've seen the effect of faces, especially in close up. Did you experience anything similar with your scanners? I'm using silverfast and I tried Vuescan as well to be sure it wasn't a SW problem.
@@alessandroveridiani2313 have you managed to sort this out or had any info from reflecta on this?
@@alexfox9414 I returned my unit and the new one had no problem so far.
That scanner looks amazing! I have a ton of old slides from my Grandparents that I want to eventually get around to scanning, and this looks like the best way to go about it, by far.
I really enjoyed watching this video. I have the Epson V850 and it came with SilverFast SE 9. I've been using Epson Scan but now I'm determined to learn SilverFast.
Definitely! Silverfast is great for getting the most out of your V850. Check out my wetscan video also. It shows another dimension of the scanning process with your Epson. 😀
Excellent presentation. You gave me lots of paths to pursue. I appreciate all you advice and experience. Thanks!
Thanks so much.
Thanks for your great explanation of scanning films. My photography life owes you!
Enjoy shooting film!
Hey man, I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this video. I was looking for more reviews on the Pacific Image PrimeFilm scanner before I get one - I am so glad that your video. You are one of the few people doing an in-depth review and comparison. Thanks again!
Your welcome! I’m glad you found it helpful. At the time that I made this video there were zero video reviews about this scanner. It’s like a best kept secret. I’ve had it for a few years (maybe 4) and have had no failures or problems from it. Its been an extremely reliable workhorse! I can only assume that the newer model that came out after mine is just as reliable. Cheers!
Loved watching it. I’m tempted to start scanning my film after watching this. Thanks 👍
You really should try it. I enjoy it immensely!
I am very surprised. I had not heard of this model. Excellent overview, very useful information. Thank you!
As I said before , really love your videos and I hope you make more soon. Thanks for your efforts.
Thanks, I'm definitely picking up the pace now. I have lots of ideas.
Big thanks for all these videos Eric. I recently sold my digital gear and bought a Minolta Hi-matic 7s so your videos have been a great help in re-learning the hobby
Great to hear that you found them useful! I’m at the point that virtually all of my still photos are on film.
Thanks so much to whoever used my affiliate link (in the description) to buy a Pacific Image Primefilm XA Scanner! I really appreciate it.
Very informative videos covering a nice variety of photographic topics.
Excellent tutorial Eric, thank you. I'm so glad I found this clip. I have a V850 and I just bought a PrimeFilmXA, so the timing is perfect. Thank you again!
You’re very welcome. It looks like great minds think alike since we have the same gear, lol.
If you haven’t seen it yet, check out my wet scanning tutorial video. Fluid mount or wet mount scanning really brings out the last bit of capability from the Epson V850 in terms of added tonality and sharpness (especially for curly films) and reduced noise in the shadows.
Thanks for the well done video, concise and to the point while covering a lot of useful information.
You’re very welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Eric, thank you so much for this video! I was looking to switch to a Plustek scanner from Epson, and I'm very glad to have learned about the PrimeFilm XA for it's speed and ease of use. After much research, I hadn't read *anything* about this baby. Might just give that a shot!
Yep, like I said the Primefilm XA is almost a secret! They have a new model that came out last year thats supposed to be a bit faster. Same specs from what I saw. Here's a link: amzn.to/3cySqXJ
I bought the dust cover and it works wonderfully!
Thank you very informative on the Pacific/Relecta. There isn't a lot out there on this little secret scanner. I own the Reflecta RPS 10M - same as the Pacific for the european market - and an Epson V800. I fully agree on your thoughts. You run one of the best channels on photography. I enjoy every video you make - even if I'm not really interested beforehand in all the subjects. There is allways something to learn!
Thanks so much. I’m glad you find them useful.
Thanks! Very informative video. I didn't even know the pacific image scanner was an option when I was looking for something that would batch scan a whole roll. I ended up with a Coolscan 5000ed which is roughly on par with the Primefilm XA I guess but 20 years old. From my experience, I get the best color from Nikon scan software or negative lab pro. I could never go back to vuescan or silverfast for color.
Upvote for the theme music! (Yes, I'm a bass player lol). Plus another for the tip about the Pacific Image scanner - great vid!
Hah! Thanks so much.
Absolutely loving this channel! Thanks for this video
Glad to hear it. Thanks!
I have been really enjoying your channel as it has been eye opening. Thank you!
That’s good to hear. Thank you.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel thank you for the work you put on your channel. I started using a Fuji xt3 as my first camera but wanted to learn control and improve my composition. So I got a Pentax k1000 with a 50mm 2.8f and have been watching videos and reading to not be so afraid of it.
A VERY informative video, Eric!! A 40 year old enlarger with a Dichroic head I acquired years ago still works. So I’m finally going to set up a darkroom. Like you, I’ll scan after processing and print any ones I really like. Going to start out with the V600 though. I just have to select a developer or two.
Thank you for the tips in the video. And have a very happy and safe New Year!!
Hah, thanks so much Donald. It sounds like your theme for 2020 will include a re-ignited love of film photography. I wish you a safe & Happy New Year my friend.
Also, if you haven’t already watched it, check out my fluid-scanning instructional video so you can get the very most from your Epson V600.
Eric, it sure will! Prior to 2019, I had an EOS 620 and an EOS-1n. I also was given a Minolta X-370 (that sadly is not fully reliable due to the weak capacitor issue). What got me back into film photography was getting my EOS 6D DSLR and a 16-35 f/4 L. I'm mostly digital for color as, save for Ektar 100, no color films, negative or slide, really interest me anymore. And my digital results are so much like Ektachrome 100 slides. But I will ALWAYS love film for black and white. So I also got a used Canon T80 for quick grab shots as it gave me more flexibility than a compact like the Olympus 35DC or the Yashica Electro 35. I also recently got a Canon all mechanical FTb with just a nifty 50 (and have no plans to add any lenses for it) for going back to old school basics.
I've been in the hobby for just over 30 years and yes, my film photography enjoyment is back with a bang! :)
Eric, I've watched it but will do it again to go into more detail since I've decided on the V600 in a couple months.
Great video. Very informative and detailed. Thank for the information
Thanks so much for stopping by. I love hearing from my viewers.
Why dislike this video? I mean, super useful information here. Keep up the good work man! Subbed.
Much appreciated!
I use this scanner at school. Its so fast I love it
Just watched your excellent presentation, and it gave me the necessary information to go and buy a v850. Thank you.👍
Great to hear. Please use my affiliate link in the description when you purchase. Thanks so much!
Darn. I have a V700 and the Plustek, but now that I've seen the Pacific scanner I wish I had that - for the same reason. Oh well, I'll keep scanning with the Plustek. Thanks for the video. I definitely learned stuff.
One thing thats true about the Plustek is that they are really, really sharp film scanners that give great results and it's awesome that they come bundled with Silverfast. To me the only downside is the lack of autofeed.
I was thinking about buying the Epson Perfection V850 just today. And after seeing this, I think I will go with it. Just need to save up a bit. Thank you!
Please use my affiliate link in the description when you do buy one. I honestly probably wouldn’t have bought the V850 were it not for the sudden $200 price drop. I was prepared to get a V800 but I figured at that price, it was a steal! I’m very happy with the Epson scanners that I have now and the V700 that I had previously.
I am puzzled as to why you would buy the V850 unless you only have medium format negatives. The Pacific Image is far superior for 35mm. See the scanner tests at filmscanner.info They found the Epson achieved a resolution of only 2600 ppi. The Pacific Image scanner which is sold in Europe under the name Reflecta RPS 10M resolves 4300ppi.
Great show and tell !
Thank you
Thanks!
Thank you Sir, your videos are very educative 👍🏾👌🏾
Thanks so much.
Eric, I got a scanner based on your recommendation! I was thinking of the V600 but they were out of stock for so long. I just delayed it while putting my money aside. Well now, I opened up the box for my V850!! This was based on your video and your experiences with the V850 that drove my choice! So now, I CAN do fluid mount scanning in the future!!
Thank you again for the video and the honest review of the V850!
You're very welcome! I'm glad you found it useful.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I hope you got the credit since I used the link. However I had some issues. When I linked it said my password was wrong and I went to my main browser where it worked. But I did not do anything more than put it I in my cart. Then when I got the issues corrected , I did link from this video and completed the order from there. I just hope it used the correct shopping cart and you get credit for it.
Yes I did and thanks so much. I really appreciate the help especially during this time. Take care!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel glad I could help the channel!
Thank you so much! You deserve more likes! Subscribed
Thank you very much!
Great demo !!! Thanks !!!
Glad you like it. Thanks!
Just wanted to say Love your channel this stuff is really cool!!!👍👍👍
Thanks so much. I really enjoy it.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel is it possible to do photographic service or work using photo scanners doing model photography? Photography in general as a proffession.
Of course. In the past, Film photography was the only type of photography that existed. For hundreds of years photographers provided their services strictly on film.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel alright. Ive been wanting to do traditional photography and turning it into a proffesion.
Thanks for all the helpful info
You’re welcome!
Men, thanks you toke a lot of time to put this toguether, is long but one don't feels it because is pack with useful information.
Thanks so much.
... Best scan info... Thank you so much for...
Thanks so much!
Great job. Thanks.
See now this is a proper review. Thank for your sharing the info. Would you recommend this for people who don’t need to scan film but want to scan their printed film photos to digitise them?
Somewhat. I think some of what I cover in the video applies to general scanning.
Cool, I have a slightly similar setup, just cheapened out a bit and got the "bang for the buck models" since I'm usually not scanning bulk loads of film but more selective. For medium format only I decided that the much more affordable Canon 9000F was more than adequate (at least when it still came with Silverfast), and my film scanner would be the... (googling)... I think PrimeFilm 7200 in the US - just a little addendum for non-US viewers who have never heard of Pacific Image, they're the same as Reflecta and his Model is the "Reflecta RPS 10M". :)
I used to work for a photog on Flextight scanners and with drum scans, so I know top of the line quality, but for personal use this is absolutely fine. If I won a few thousand dollars maybe I'd opt for a PI/Reflecta120 scanner today since I'm mostly shooting 6x6 and the scan time on flatbed takes ages, but quality-wise I'm happy.
I’m working on a video now about fluid mount or scanning on the V850. I think the fluid mount process closes the gap a little between a dedicated scanner versus a flatbed. BTW, I got the V850 for “only” $799. Last year the price dropped by $200 unexpectedly. I was just about to order the V800 for the same price when the drop happened. Perfect timing. I also replaced the scanner unit on my V700 and sold it for $500!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel my canon was still $500 cheaper! And believe me, I would've opted for Epson too (I'd never buy Canon printers!) if not every test I read showed that for my purposes (6x6) the Canon delivers almost the same. If I was using it for 35mm or large quantities, I think the Epson is the best choice still.
As for the wet scanning, I'm looking forward to that video, it's nothing I dared thinking too much about yet - the liquid alone seems to be super expensive and I'm scared of creating a mess. But my main gripe is really scan time, not sure if the Epson is faster there, but a 4800 dpi film scan on the Canon takes aaaaaages, and I've read you need that resolution to get the optimal optical output of the scanner (they all interpolate a lot and you need to downsize later).
I agree that for the larger film frames a "normal" film scanner is just fine. Will the big Epson V850 be better? Probably. Does it matter? Probably not. The differences won't be major on larger film formats.
On wet scanning: I also put it off for years and years. I finally took the plunge after my research led me to a MUCH cheaper way to do wet scanning. The kits are a complete ripoff. I bought the same materials for about half the price. It's not a messy process either (I was surprised) since once you take everything apart, the fluid evaporates quickly and the film comes out clean like it was never touched! I'm going to cover everything in my video.
I have a lot of negatives and large prints needed to be scanned. Guess a flatbed photo scanner like the Epson V600 might be a good choice for my budget. But they are selling for $150 anymore.
I had a V600 briefly when my V700 died but ended up returning it. I didn’t like the holders and the small scanning surface. I know the big Epson’s are really pricey but you might want to consider a used one from eBay. If they’re still too much (I haven’t checked prices lately) don’t rule out the Canon scanners. They’re also pretty good.
Excellent information.
Thanks Flavio.
good content! Love it!
Glad you enjoy it!
Great Video as always, Brother. I'm gonna probably get a V850 as I only really only shoot 120 film. I've been looking for a scanner for my film and this video was right on time. Looking forward to your next video. Peace!
Thanks man, I appreciate you stopping by. Please use the affiliate link for the V850 that I’ve provided in the description. It’ll help my channel. Thanks!
ahhhh, when you show up in search result, I know I'm in for something exhaustive, technical and very useful.
Hahah guilty. I know my videos are long but I want them to be a useful reference. Thanks for watching!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel They are, definitely. I remember watching the one you did about the RZ67 i think...
Maybe the M645 1000s. It was like 45 min!
Thank you eric! Most informative and thorough review about scanning workflow… been wondering to get the primefilm over my plustek due to its batch scanning, has it been reliable? No hardware issue?
I have the v600 too bcoz it was cheap
The Primefilm XA has been incredibly reliable. I bought the extended warranty because I hadn’t heard of the company before but as it turns out it’s been great.
Great video as always! I do have a quite similar setup here with a reflecta and an V800. Just one question: what camera were the 35mm pictures shown on the flatbed part (sailing boats, lake etc.) shot with? They say M6 in the filenames but I never saw my M6 printing the aperture and shutter speed in the space between ne negatives. So I am curious to know what camera does this (it's a quite useful feature I think)
Thanks so much! I wasn’t paying attention to that stuff because of trying to put together the video. That was the Nikon F6 with the 70-300mm 4.5-5.6 Nikkor VR ED, etc. great combo.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Thanks a lot. OK F6 explains this advanced technology ;-) But nevertheless it's a great feature ;-) would wish more cameras would be able to do this. I try to keep track of my analog "EXIF" data with a little voice recorder that can be mounted to the hot shoe - although i must admit I forget to use it most of the time, which makes reconstructing the exposure data after the scan a tough job. BTW Thanks for showing the dust cover. I checked their site and I hink these things are a great value for the money. Have not seen something similar here in Europe (variety and price wise). Looking forward to see your wet scan experience (something I shied away from until now)
A very informative video. I do not shoot film any longer, but I am currently preparing two 45 year retrospective books of my work in the music biz. So, it is either pay a lab, or buy a scanner. I see a lot of photographers on CZcams digitizing their film with their DSLR cameras. That's cool, but a scanner can yield larger image, right? The books will be around 9x12. Do you have any advise for me? I do have an Epson V500, but I am willing to upgrade if I continue scanning. Once the books are done, I will not likely use the scanner. Thank you, again!
Thanks so much for stopping by! There’s lots of tips and techniques that I’ve picked up over the past decade. I could give you advice but it would equate to telling someone how to hit a major league fastball-it doesn’t mean it would happen. I will gladly do the scans for you on my V850 or dedicated film scanner if it you have 35mm negatives. Pls contact me here. Thanks! greauxe@gmail.com.
I also have both Silverfast and Vuescan with the Pacific Image scanner. I have never, not once, been able to scan with Vuescan on the Pacific Image. It is supposedly supported, but not on my Mac Pro for some reason...
Hmm, I've read before that your scanner should be plugged directly to the computer and not to a hub, etc. Also, I paid for the pro version of Vuescan years ago which comes with free updates for life. I don't know if you have that version or if the normal version has the same database as the pro version. In my experience, Vuescan works with even non-film All-in-One scanners and literally every scanner I've ever used. I would guess it's a hardware issue but can't be sure without looking at it first hand.
Thank you!
You're welcome! Thanks for watching1
Oh man I need that prime film ax, I only have the Espon v800
The Epson is an epic scanner-probably the best you can buy (except for the v850 I guess). I had the v700 for over a decade and it provided great scans. The Primefilm XA comes into its own when scanning less than flat film. As I said in the video, when the film dries nice and flat, ie Kodak Portra or Ektar, then there’s less difference between the scans of an Epson vs the Primefilm. That being said, the Primefilm will squeeze out a little more sharpness than the V800/850 at the end. It’s also convenient that you can run an entire roll at once in the PFXA.
thank you!!!
No, thank you for stopping by my channel. Pls share on your social media. Thanks!
Actually the 850 is rated with an effective resolution of around 2300 dpi (established by scanning a calibrated target). The higher resolutions are just marketing gaga.
Scanner resolution is always vastly overstated. When using Silverfast Ai instead of Epson scanning software you can eek out 2600 dpi. Every little bit helps I guess lol.
Hi Eric! Thanks for awesome review/tutorial. I'm not sure, maybe you already mentioned it - what is an approximate time for XAs to prescan and scan full 36 frames roll (color + IR cleaning)? Thanks again!
I scan at 2400dpi with IR cleaning, multi exposure turned on and it takes about 1.5 hrs. As I say this please understand that besides those settings (especially the resolution), the level of detail in your photos can affect the individual scan times also. A photo of a blank wall will scan very quickly vs a detailed landscape photo.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Thank you for such a detailed answer, Eric! That's very helpful!
Thanks for such an informative video. Would you happen to know of any differences between the XA and XAs Scanners? I'm deciding whether it's worth purchasing the XAs over the XA
Hi, I think the XA is out of production. From what I read the XAs scans a little faster than the XA and is the replacement.
You have the most undderated film chanel on youtube
Thanks so much. Good to be appreciated!
Thanks for sharing. I have this same scanner sitting in a box (I don't have much room for it since I moved to NYC a couple years ago). It is a nice scanner but after much trial and error I decided that as much as I like scanning I can't get anything as good as a pro photo lab scan give me (color wise). Black and white this scanner can get me great results. The reason I think this scanner does not get as much love is because it targets such a niche market. Less and less people are shooting film and from those that do I would bet most are (like myself) sending it all off to the lab or using a flat bed that can scan multiple images / multiple formats.
Thanks again for sharing the info though. I feel there is not enough good info out there on scanning.
One questions though.... any recommendations on getting batch scanning to work properly? I never been able to get batch scanning to work properly. There is always some sort of miss feed issue. I just figured a bad design but it sound like you don't have much of a problem.
I'm assuming you're talking about the Primefilm XA since you mentioned a feeding issue. Two very important things for successful batch scanning: The first negative has to be perfectly framed so the subsequent shots line up properly. Once you insert the film, look through the top window and tap either the forward or reverse buttons to align it properly. Don't press and hold the button-just give it a firm 1/4 sec (or so) tap and you will see the film move by one millimeter each time you press either button. After that, I do a prescan of the first photo, set color, ppi, and resolution, etc and I hit Batch scan to scan the entire roll. It works for me every time. It's important that the camera you're using gives a consistent (same size) gap between each frame otherwise the photos towards the end of the roll will be improperly aligned. Leicas, Nikons, Canons and any auto winding camera will give a very consistent gap so it's not an issue for me generally but I've had some compacts, i.e., Olympus 35DC comes to mind (might just be my copy) that have an erratic gap between each frame. Oh, btw I get much better scans than any lab I've used in the past. They also charge an arm and a leg for even moderately large scans.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Yes I have the XA. It may be the gap issue as I do align the frames properly. I have scanned film from a few different cameras but my Nikon F100 is my main 35mm film camera. I would have to test. Also, I usually pre cut my film for archives sleeves and scan in frames of 6 (not sure how that would affect it all). I'm a bit biased on lab scans since I did work at a high end pro photo lab about ten years ago. Not all labs are that great. These days I send it over to Indie Film Lab and they have given me amazing results. Yup the prices are a pain but the $10 is worth the time I save. If I find myself shooting more film than digital I will have to start developing and scanning on my own. Also, I don't mind supporting film labs. They business has shrunk and it would be a shame if they became a relic of the past.
That’s a great point you make about supporting the photo labs. I never looked at it from that perspective. Thanks!
Great review. How does the Primefilm 1800 AFL scanner compare to the Primefilm XA, do you know? I have the Plustek 8200i which works great except for the reason you stated. I have tons of negative strips from the days of using motion picture film (8224 I think it was) sold for still cameras and had it printed to slides. So I am looking for a file strip scanner. The 1800 are a lot cheaper than the XA on eBay. BTW, you answered a question that SilverFast never adequately answered about artifacts with B&W.
Good to know about the B&W question. I try to provide as much information as possible. The 1800 AFL (Auto Film Loading) is an older model with much lower Dmax (3.2 vs 4.2) and resolution 1800x1800 vs 5000x5000 (I know these ratings are inflated). This may not be a show-stopper since you have the Plustek. More importantly, I would check to ensure compatibility with your computer system. Scanners are especially finicky about USB connections and in some cases, won't work with modern Mac or Windows OS without creating a virtual machine just for the scanner to operate in. Also, after reading the description, I saw no mention of dust and scratch removal which they call Magic Touch. Otherwise, for the price, it sounds like a lot of scanner.
Hello brother , I been shooting film since the 90s and I was wondering if you could become my mentor. I do have 2 Rb67 wish I love them. On my early years I did weedings. I just got me a Fujifilm xt3 but film still my passion. This new Technology drives me crazy. I am getting a Epson V600 and the reality is that photoshop is my biggest fear. I believe that you probably can help me. Your understanding on electronics is outstanding… thanks for sharing your passion. Luish
14:44 before / after. The image is stretched after scratch removal.
These scanners cannot scan at 200mp. (The maximum equivalent megapixel of film is in the 12-24 range. Kodachrome can be higher depending on the year is was produced & if a good lens was used & if good technique was practiced). They have been tested and the XA is around 3600--3800dpi, not 10,000. The Epson 850 is less. The stepper motor can advance in small increments. This does not mean the sensor can resolve detail however. In order to get a higher resolution scan, you need a drum.
Great video, I shoot a lot of medium format and have been looking for a scanner, thank you for you review. What do you recommend for a medium format film scanner?
Of course it depends on budget but I would recommend an Epson Perfection V700/750/800/850 series if at all possible. I say this because they have a larger (usable) glass surface, great color and super-sharp lenses and sensors. I’ve seen scans from these scanners that are just a “tick” less sharp than those from a full blown drum scanner! Since these things last forever, it’s ok to buy a used one if you don’t want to pay $1000+ for a new one. As always make sure the seller has a return policy. I had my V700 for 12 years before it broke and then I had it repaired (by Epson) and sold it for $600 on eBay. Even after the cost of the repair, it cost me $200 (net) for 12 years of use! If your only scanning medium format then the strengths of the V7/8xx series are less important and the V600 would do just fine for significantly less money. FYI, the holders in the V600 hold only a single strip of medium format vs the V7/8xx series holding two. Also if you plan on scanning any 35mm film at all the V7/8xx series has a dedicated lens for super sharp scans smaller format films. I’ve used Canon scanners before (a very long time ago) so I wouldn’t rule them out but as you can see I’m an Epson guy!
Great in-depth video. I have an Epson V700, still works perfectly. I'm in the process of getting new computers, long story. Anyway I just bought the new Macbook Air, and am considering getting a Mac mini as a desktop. I see you use Mac OS. I want to purchase Silverfast, but my dilemma is I still have mostly Windows computers? Love the idea of the PrimeFilm scanner. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
The Epson V700 is a great scanner. I used one for about 12 years before it failed. If you envision buying the Primefilm XA anytime in the near future, you should know that it comes with Silverfast SE. Silverfast licenses by the scanner so if you have a PFXA & a V700 you'll need a serial number for each scanner. If you call their tech support people, they may give you a license for each scanner (no guarantee). There's a windows version although I've never used it. The Mac mini is a great machine (I've had two over the years). Just be sure to plug your scanner directly to the computer and not a USB hub. Hope this helps!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Thanks for the reply. I have been in contact with Silverfast tech support, I do qualify for an upgrade deal with Silverfast, the V700 came with an earlier version of SE. Hopefully the V700 keeps working for a few more years. The mac mini looks interesting, but so expensive here in Canada for what you get? Lots to consider since this is not my main business.
Check Apple refurbished for a deal on a mini. They last forever. My current mini died a hero last year. I bought it in 2006!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel cool, but the lifespan of apple products doesn't seem very long, esp since they stop doing updates for their devices usually after about 5 years of use? I have 15 yr PC's running XP that I still use for video capture and transfer, I need firewire for my capture device. I'm tempted, I do the stability of apple, Love my iPad pro.
This went completely over my head
Ask me anything.
Great video! One question though: what camera was that roll shot with? Curious about the metadata imprinted on the end of the frame at 24:25.
That’s the Nikon F6.
At 24:30 your negative has the camera settings used printed in the film border. What camera or date back was used to make that. I’ve never seen anything like it and am very curious
Hi that photo was taken with my Nikon F6. It allows data between or on the frame.
Hi Eric - I am very, very new to photo scanning; doing research before I purchase a scanner to digitalize photos and negatives. I learned so much from your video. My question is, if I scan with the latest SilverFast software, do I really need PhotoShop? I have a 2021 MacBook M1 and looking to buy an Epson 850 pro.
The V850 is a great choice as a scanner. It’s probably the best flatbed scanner in the world! Photoshop has never been necessary as a part of a scanning workflow; I use Lightroom for final adjustments and to organize my photo library. Silverfast as you know is for scanning and color correction as well but doesnt provide a way to organize your library. That being said Photoshop is much more powerful for making corrections than both SF and LR. Both are included in Adobe’s basic photo package. Silverfast should come with the V850 but not the Ai suite which allows you to capture “REALRAW” from your film negatives. Just an upgrade away if you decide you want that capability.
Eric, a quick question. With the film holders for the V850, does the clear “anti-Newton plastic” on them seem to develop a bit of a static charge? I have a couple cats and it seems as if cat hair clings to it not unlike how cellophane wrap can cling to our fingers after removing it.
If you do find it susceptible to static, would you recommend any anti static wipes for them? Thank you again.
I haven’t had that issue ever but I’m pretty sure that the static charge is generated from your cats fir.
Another great video, Eric. For 35mm I use a Pakon 135, and like it a lot. I can scan color positive, color negative, C41 B&W, and regular B&W on it. I'll hang on to it as long as possible. I got it long before the prices went up. Good to know about the Pacific Image . . . for 120 I use an Epson V600, and it does a good job. I use the VueScan software and edit with Negative Lab Pro and have been so pleased with the results. If you haven't seen NLB, do check it out. Looking forward to more videos - and also really liked seeing what Silverfast can do. Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Naomi, thanks so much for checking in. I missed my chance with the Pakon! It’s been a while, but I’m pretty sure I was looking at one for under $300! How sweet is it that you have a scanner that is worth more than you paid for it. That’s unheard of especially with electronics. Happy Thanksgiving!🦃
Do you have to upgrade to silver fast ai to enable batch scan for an entire film roll? Amazing content btw!
Thanks. Silverfast will batch scan in accordance with the scanners capabilities regardless of SF version. Even the least expensive SF will batch scan if your scanner can. If you have a Plustek 35mm scanner then you can’t batch since Plusteks need to be fed a frame at a time. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the informative video! I'm trying to find something that will allow me to scan Kodachrome slides myself. There are so many options out there and it's a little overwhelming. I want to be able to produce high-quality scans that preserve the sharpness of the slides when I put them on my Mac computer. I see a lot of conflicting reviews but I'm thinking of possibly choosing between the Epson V850 or the Pacific Image PowerSlide X. Would you recommend one over the other?
My initial questions would be to ask how many slides, are they all Kodachrome and would you be scanning unmounted 35mm film strips? The reason I ask is that the PF is a single purpose scanner only for mounted slides. If you have 5-10,000 slides that you want to scan, I would advise the PF hands down. It can scan 50 mounted slides at a time. Also, Silverfast is engineered for scratch and dust removal on Kodachrome. You can’t use conventional infrared S&D removal on Kodachrome due to it being a very dense emulsion with a high silver halide content. Silverfast uses SRD for Kodachrome which isn’t quite as good as iSRD. The Nikon Coolscan LS9000 has an advanced ICE infrared channel that works for MOST Kodachrome emulsions. It is an old and expensive scanner so you may have issues of compatibility with your Mac. Based on the incredible performance from my Primefilm XA, I would guess that the Powerslide X a great performer in terms of very sharp scans and excellent scratch and dust removal assuming a compatible Kodachrome emulsion. Also consider picking up an IT8 target for color correction of your Kodachrome slides, it will ensure proper color balance. The Epson is much more flexible for different film sizes of course to include mounted slides. Hope this helps.
Film Photography Channel thanks so much, this was very helpful. To answer your question, I have a little over 100 slides at the moment, with more on the way. Most of the slides are Kodachrome but some say Ansochrome on them. Since I posted my first comment I’ve also found a lot of 35mm strips from the 1950s that I want to scan in addition to the slides. Getting something that can scan both would be ideal for me. I’m going to look more into the Epson and the Pacific Image XA, but I’ve seen a lot of conflicting reviews about the Epson not working with Mac computers. Have you had any issues with your scanner and your Mac?
Hi, I’ve never had an issue with my Epson scanners on my Mac computers. I’ve had an Epson V550, V600, V700 (for about 12 years) and currently have the V850 and Primefilm XA. ALL have worked perfectly with every Mac system I’ve ever connected them to since the early 2000’s. Make sure that you plug the scanners USB cable directly to the computer and not to a hub. Silverfast has problems detecting and controlling scanners that aren’t plugged in directly. The slide film holders that come with the V850 holds 12 mounted slides at a time so it won’t take too long to scan the 100+ mounted slides that you anticipate having. The Primefilm XA takes only one mounted slide at a time so that may become cumbersome. That being said, the PFXA has the best dust and scratch removal that I’ve ever seen. The Epson is also very good but the PFXA is just better. One thing that I didn’t mention before is that since slides are held perfectly flat in their sleeve, it’s likely that there won’t be any difference in sharpness between the two scanners. The Primefilm does better flattening out curly film strips. I’ve also noticed that scanner prices have gone through the roof! I paid $799 for my V850 and I see now that they’re selling for $1149! Just last week I saw them selling for $1400 so I’d watch the prices before buying and maybe confirm that whoever you buy from has price protection. I’ve been very happy with my Epson and if I only had one scanner it would be the V850 since it can handle more formats than 35mm. The Primefilm is great for 35mm film, is usually sharper than the Epson and like I mentioned has near perfect scratch and dust removal.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Hi thanks so much for your help. I ended up purchasing the Primefilm XA Super Edition which came with a free installation of silverfast. Everything is loaded and seems fine except it won't let me prescan or scan. Every time I click the button it says that I need to "load the holder" but my scanner already has a slide in it. I'm using a cord that goes directly into my computer...I thought I followed all of the steps, but obviously, I must be doing something wrong. I just tried Vuescan and I'm having the same problem, so I'm assuming it's an issue with the unit itself. Do you have any troubleshooting suggestions? I couldn't find anything online addressing this problem. Perhaps I'll just see if I can swap this out for a replacement.
Just make sure that you set Silverfast for slide scanning, insert the slide and Silverfast should restart and be ready for scanning.
hey! thanks for this video and i subbed!
silverfast se comes with the pacific image scanner. i was wondering if i would have to upgrade, or if Silverfast SE is good enough?
thanks again for the channel!
Silverfast SE has the same image quality as any other Silverfast product when it comes to scanning color or B&W negatives. In other words you won't get a better scan by upgrading to another Silverfast product if all you're scanning are negatives. SE can also scan slide film but the higher-up versions are IT8-profile capable. An IT8 target is either a card (for flatbeds) or a mounted slide (for the Primefilm) that you scan to calibrate your scanner for slide film.This capability is used to assign a numerical value for each color on the IT8 target. That way the scanner can be color calibrated. I have Silverfast Ai Studio which has this capability but I never used it because I've never bought the IT8 target from the Silverfast people. I bought the Ai Suite because it allows for 64 bit color or 32 bit B&W HDRi scans. These scans are in essence a "container" that holds all of the information from a film scan to include dust & scratches as detected by the scanners infrared channel. I call it "RealRaw" because you're capturing ALL of the data straight from the film frame including defects; you can literally throw away the film afterward.
I would check to see if upgrading from SE to SE Plus which (per the LSI website) adds WorkflowPilot - a step-by-step assistant for every workflow, Preview Concept - immediate control of any image adjustment, Multi-Tasking - concurrent scanning and optimizing, Multi-Exposure - increases Dynamic Range for maximum details and Auto Frame - automatic frame detection and alignment. I don't know the upgrade price but the purchase price is from $100-$200 if you don't already own Silverfast. Oh, Thanks for the sub!!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel thank you so much for the detailed response. im so green to scanning, but i know the pacific image is what i want.
i also know theres a learning curve to silverfast, but im a dedicated hobbyist at best. spending a ton of money isnt my goal, but i have an affinity to anything somewhat automated and saving me money in the long run.
thanks again for making this video. really appreciate it. theres not alot of information on this scanner.
Do you do any wet mount scanning with the v850? I have seen some great results from the wet scan process and wonder how it compares to the Prime Film XA.
Hi, yes I've done wet-mount scanning on my V850 with great (and interesting) results. Here's the vid: czcams.com/video/wEZO_EepVbA/video.html
Hey Eric, thanks for the tutorial. I think flatbed scanners are best for all kind of prints but not for film, drum scanners are better. In all your carreer Have you worked with drums scanners ?, first, and second, Wich professional film scanners are in production in 2020 ? Thanks again.
Hello Ivan, I have never worked with a drum scanner as they cost as much as $15k to $30k! I have seen drum scans compared to Epson V800/850 scans and was surprised just how close the two scans were. Remember, the key to a sharp scan with good tonal and dynamic range starts with the film being perfectly flat and perfectly in focus. This is where drum scans have a distinct advantage. You can make up some of the difference by fluid mounting on the Epson V850. It drastically improved my scans with pretty pronounced enhancements in tonal range, sharpness and significantly less noise/artifacts. I made a tutorial video on fluid mount scanning if you haven’t seen it yet. There are lots of scanners still in production; I like my Epson V850 and Primefilm XA. I bought them after tons of research and I honestly can’t name a better scanner in either category of flatbed and dedicated 35mm scanners respectively. Hope this helps!
Eric, I appreciated your in-depth presentation of Silverfast. I do have a question for you. You mentioned Silverfast has various presets for negatives like Portra, Ektar 100, etc. Does it have presets for black and white films like Tri-X, PanF, etc? Also, does it have presets for older “extinct” films like Fuji Reala, Kodak Gold 1600, Agfa Ultra 50, etc?
Anyway, thanks again my friend! Keep up the great work!
Negafix is only available for color or B&W negative films, not slide film. For color correction when scanning slide film, Lasersoft Imaging (Silverfast folks) make IT8 targets that you insert in your scanner to assign a numerical value to each color in the scanning spectrum (check the link below to see an example). I also listed below the many film stocks supported by Negafix.
Silverfast is very powerful and I didn't begin to touch the capabilities, I just covered the basics. For example, not only can you adjust the overall color with the global color selection tool, you can select a single color and change it to another color completely, ie pink trees and grass, green skies, etc.
Sample Silverfast IT8 Target: tinyurl.com/y94jpkb8
Available NegaFix profiles:
Agfa HDC Plus 100
Agfa HDC Plus 200
Agfa HDC Plus 400
Agfa Optima II 100 6x6
Agfa Optima II 400 6x6
Agfa Optima II Prestige 400
Agfa Optima 200 6x6
Agfa Optima 200
Agfa Optima Prestige 100
Agfa Optima II Prestige 100
Agfa Portrait 160 6x6
Agfa Portrait 160
Agfa Ultra 50
Agfa Ultra 50 6x6
Agfa Ultra 100
Agfa Futura 200 APS
Agfa Futura 400 APS
Fuji 100 HQ
Fuji 200 HQ
Fuji Nexia A200 APS
Fuji Nexia H400 APS
Fuji Nexia D100 APS
Fuji NHG II 800 6x6
Fuji NHG II 800
Fuji NPC 160 6x6
Fuji NPC 160
Fuji NPH 400 6x6
Fuji NPH 400
Fuji NPS 160
Fuji NPS 160 6x6
Fuji Pro 160S
Fuji Super HG 1600
Fuji Super HQ 100
Fuji Super HQ 200
Fuji Super HG 1600 Ex
Fuji Superia 100
Fuji Superia 100 6x6
Fuji Superia 200
Fuji Superia 400
Fuji Superia 800
Fuji Superia 8000
Fuji Superia 800 N
Fuji Superia Reala 100
Kodak Advantix 100 APS
Kodak Advantix 200 APS
Kodak Advantix 400 APS
Kodak Advantix B&W+ 400 APS
Kodak 100 UC
Kodak B&W+ 400
Kodak Gold 100-6
Kodak Gold 200-6
Kodak Gold 200-126
Kodak Gold Max 400
Kodak Gold 400-110
Kodak Max Zoom 800
Kodak Max Zoom 800 N
Kodak Monochrome VX 400
Kodak Plus-X 125 6x6
Kodak Plus-X 125
Kodak Portra 160 NC
Kodak Portra 160 NC 6x6
Kodak Portra 160 VC
Kodak Portra 160 VC 6x6
Kodak Portra 400 NC
Kodak Portra 400 NC 6x6
Kodak Portra 400 VC
Kodak Portra 400 VC 6x6
Kodak Portra 800
Kodak Portra 800 6x6
Kodak Pro Image 100
Kodak Professional 400 6x6
Kodak Professional Ektar 100
Kodak Royal Gold 100
Kodak Royal Gold 200
Kodak Royal Gold 400
Kodak Royal Gold 1000
Kodak Supra 100
Kodak Supra 400
Kodak Supra 800
Kodak T-Max 100
Kodak T-Max 100 6x6
Kodak T-Max 400
Kodak T400 CN
Kodak Tri-X 400 6x6
Kodak Tri-X 400
Kodak VR 100
Kodak VR 200
Konica Centuria 100
Konica Centuria 200
Konica Centuria 400
Konica Centuria 100 6x6
Konica Centuria 800
Konica Centuria 200 APS
Konica Centuria 400 APS
Konica Impresa 50
Konica Impresa 50 6x6
Konica VX 100
Konica Professional 160
Konica Professional 160 6x6
Polaroid OneFilm 200
Ilford HP5 Plus 400
Ilford FP4 Plus 125
Ilford Delta 100
Ilford FP4 Plus 125 6x6
Ilford HP5 Plus 400 6x6
Ilford XP2 Super 400
Ilford SFX 200
Ilford Pan-F Plus 50
Ilford Delta 400
Ilford XP2 Super 400 6x6
Ilford Pan-F Plus 50 6x6
Ilford Delta 400 6x6
Ferrania HP 100
Ferrania HP 200
Ferrania HP 200 APS
Ferrania FG 800
Mitsubishi MX-II 200
Mitsubishi MX-II 100
Mitsubishi MX-II 400
Boots 100
Lucky GBR Plus 100
Tudor TPX 100
Monochrome
Standard (SilverFast)
A big THANK YOU for that!!!! I had intended to get the V600 a couple months ago but I waited for the chance to get a factory refurb for a good discount. But they never got back in stock so...here I am waiting.
I’ve got my chemistry and my bottles. Going with the classic D76 for the heck of it. Will probably consider XTOL in the future. Still got my reels and tanks from 30 years ago when I did E6. I’m getting ready to do it myself.
Do you have the link to your Flickr page handy? I missed it from the videos or maybe didn’t read the descriptions well enough.
You’re very welcome! It sounds like you’re about to go on a great photographic journey! One tip, keep an eye out for a used or refurbished Epson V700. It will cost more than the V600, but will allow fluid mount scanning down the road and is just such a superb machine. I had one for over a decade before it failed. I had Epson replace the scanner unit on it for $250 and sold it for $600. I originally paid $450. It was well worth it to me.
Great video. I Learned alot. Do you pre-scan an image, make some edits and then do a batch scan? Does the batch scan remember what edits you made during and in the pre-scan? The trouble I'm having is that whatever edits I make on the last pre-scan before I do the batch scan, every scan has the changes on the last pre-scan I edited. So if the last image was way overexposed and I corrected it in the pre-scan, every photo in the batch scan (assuming it was correctly exposed) will now be UNDEREXPOSED. Is there a way to fix this issue? What am I doing wrong? I have the XAs scanner with Silverfast 8 SE. Do you think the added cost of Silverfast Ai Studio is required to make the PIE XAx work properly?
Your right about the quality of the scanned images they are exceptional - especially considering the price of this unit.
Thank for the work you've done.
Hi I’m glad you found the video useful. You can do individual settings for each frame only for flatbed scanners (unless you don’t mind scanning one frame at a time on your Primefilm). On a flatbed, Silverfast allows you to adjust each frame after a prescan even after you started your final scan. For example, you prescan the entire batch and then while SF is scanning frame one (which you’ve already adjusted), you make exposure and color adjustments on frame two etc. for your PFXA scanner which scans sequentially, I either make the adjustments after prescanning the first frame or do an HDRi scan on the entire roll and then make color adjustments in the SF HDR app which requires the Ai suite. That being said, I’ve never had individual frames that are so vastly different in their exposure that I couldn’t fix it in Lightroom even when scanning sequentially. Consider scanning tiffs or dng for max adjustability after initial scan.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Thanks for your help. It's unfortunate that SF doesn't allow adjustments on the PFXA like it does on a flatbed scanner. Maybe the next version.
I've started scanning tiffs. Do you think .dng would give more latitude in a photo editor like Photoshop or Lightroom?
As far as I know, they’re the same when it comes to adjustment latitude. The .dng file is a universal raw file that Adobe developed in 2004 to offer an alternative to the proprietary raw files which were different from each camera manufacturer. It’s especially useful for scanning since it allows for a smaller file size that is widely adjustable.
"If you're in a hurry, don't shoot film"..... HA! I needed a good chuckle today. :>D Wanted to let you know, the sound sync is way off in spots on your picture in picture. Not a complaint, just letting you know. As a matter of fact, I don't really have any complaints with your videos. You put out good content. I do have a couple questions. You mention in the description for this segment that you used an 80 year old camera. What camera is it? If you mentioned it in the vid & I missed/spaced it, my apologies. My memory is not the best anymore. My other question is, have you a Zeiss camera to review? I'm always all ears for anything Zeiss.... even if it's been reviewed elsewhere.
Keep up the good content!
Happy Thanksgiving & enjoy the Holidays!
Hi and thanks for the kind feedback. I thought I had all of the audio synced properly. I must’ve missed some parts. I had the worst time with that! I included the camera information at the bottom of the frame at around 2:43. It was my trusty Agfa super Isolette. The photo was of a memorabilia shop window in Old Towne Alexandria, Va and was taken in 2013 if memory serves. I use Zeiss lenses in Leica mount but unfortunately I don’t have any Zeiss cameras at the moment. I’m sure I will one day. Their folding cameras are quite beautiful.
Happy thanksgiving to you and yours!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I do have an extra Zeiss Icarex 35 in M42 mount. It works good. There's a few specks in the viewfinder. Not sure about the accuracy of the light meter, but the needle moves. Certainly not looking to retire from it's sale, either. If you're interested, let me know. I can always post my email as a comment if you wouldn't mind deleting it after you copy it.
Wow, I've never seen this one. A beautiful camera for sure but a little expensive for me right now . Also, if I get a Zeiss, I've been wanting a medium format.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I don't blame you for holding out for a medium format Zeiss. I have a Super Ikonta 531/2 6x9 that I just love. I just got a "fresh" roll of 1443 Aerochrome that I plan on using at the local conservatory, in Milwaukee, sometime after the first of the year. Should you change your mind about the Icarex, I'm only looking to get $45 for it. Seems to be the average auction price for one on eBay. Can send pictures.
Hello Eric.
Hey, I have a quick question. Have you upgraded to Silverfast 9 yet and if so, is it a worthy upgrade over version 8? I'm specifically running 8.8 SE Plus for the V850.
Hope all is well with you! :)
Hi Donald, I just upgraded a couple of days ago. I haven’t had a chance to use it in depth but I can report that the interface has undergone a much needed modernization with light and dark modes. They actually sent it to me for a review. I’ll be posting after I have gotten well familiar.
thanks for sharing the information! Do you have any recommendations on scanning 120 films? thanks!
Hi Yu Yu, I've been using the Epson V700 (and now I have a V850) for medium format. I get great results. If you haven't already seen it, pls check out my video on wet-mount scanning. This process adds greater tonal range and sharpness to my scans. czcams.com/video/wEZO_EepVbA/video.html
@@FilmPhotographyChannel thank you! I bought v850 recently, when I scanned my film and compared the photos I took by nikon d810, the clarity and noise control is not as good as d810. Do you have a similar experience or it's just me not using the machine right? I may need to go watch your videos and learn more skills. :)
Film photos are very different than digital in many ways. Some films like Portra, Ektar Fuji Pro 400H can get as sharp as digital. When you pixel peep, full frame digital will be sharper but that’s not really the point. Film has a unique look which is more organic than what a digital sensor can make. Digital is technically perfect but the unique character is what makes film so much fun.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel That's so true. Thank you! I'm also thinking about getting into 4x5 large format, which may get me both film tone and great photo details lol.
I don't know the plustek. seems cool ... can it do wider frames rather that 24x35? I do use some lomo cameras that do it!!!
There’s no mention on their website of wide format scanning with Plustek scanners. Same for the Primefilm XA. As I look at the Plustek’s specifications, the PFXA seems to be significantly better. Especially when you look at the DMax (dynamic range) on the PFXA and of course the automated film transport and autofocus.
In your opinion, do you think having an Epson v800 or v850 for medium format and the primefilm xas for 35mm would be a better set up than purchasing a nikon coolscan 8000 or 9000? Not sure if you've had experiences with any nikon coolscan scanners before but wondering if the difference in image quality would be worth it.
Thanks for all you do for the film photography community Eric! Loving the videos
I’m glad you found it useful. I haven’t used the Nikon Coolscans but I’m aware of their reputations. The Epson V800/850 is an excellent and modern film scanner. The Nikons are about 30 years old but are dedicated scanners so would probably outperform the Epson due to being able to hold the film perfectly flat. I would have concerns about software and hardware compatibility with such old equipment but I don’t know if there are any issues (you should check). I’ve found that if you can flatten the film on the Epson it will give you as good a scan as any dedicated scanner but it can be tricky since some emulsions can be very curly and hard to flatten. The Primefilm does great in this regard and will probably be as good as the Nikons but I haven’t seen a direct comparison. Kodak color negative films (and some Fujifilm) give great scans because they dry very flat. If the prices that I’ve seen for the Nikons up in the $7000 range are accurate, I would say no way to the Nikon. The Epson V850 has gone way up in price from when I bought mine in 2017 for “only” $799. They’re selling for $1149 and a couple of months ago I saw them selling for $1400! In summary, I would buy a dedicated but modern dedicated 35mm scanner and and Either a refurbished V750 or new V800/850. The V7xx series are basically the same as the V8xx with the biggest difference being LED light source which requires no warm up time on the V8xx. I’ve had my Primefilm for almost three years without any issues so I recommend it.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel thanks for the detailed response Eric! Are you aware of any differences in scanning times between the V7xx series and the V8xx?
I am thinking of buying a Plustek 8100/8200 or a Reflecta/Pacific Image scanner; would there be any important difference in image quality between the two? Plustek scanners are about half the price in Europe.
I’ve had a Plustek in the past and it is a fine scanner. Very sharp scans, etc. I would check the DMax rating between the Plustek and Primefilm. The Primefilm has a 4.2 DMax which is the best rating that I’ve ever seen on a scanner. IMPORTANT: the Plustek scanners require that you manually feed the film frame by frame as you scan. This means that your stuck sitting next to the scanner until it’s finished. You also have to cut the film and load it onto the holder for Plustek. The Primefilm can feed a single roll of up to 40-ish 35mm frames without holders or cutting. It’s not perfect however. Sometimes the scanner doesn’t evenly feed the film which ends with only the first few frames being spaced properly. This happened to me the other day and I had to start over and got perfect results. It’s not an everyday problem and it could be a software issue vs a scanner issue. Both scanners make great scans so I would check the specs to compare (the Primefilm has autofocus and “10,000” dpi resolution). In my opinion, I can’t get past the Plustek not having auto feeding.
Do you have any experience with your scanner scratching your negatives? I ordered the primefilm xas and it has scratched my test strips pretty badly.
I have not. I do get what looks like a fiber that shows up on the top of every frame sometimes. I'd send it back and get it replaced. It's a good scanner but without the quality control of an epson or canon. If you get a good copy, it should last quite a while. I've used my pretty intensively for almost three years.
Hi Eric, I am finally getting into medium format film. I am in the DMV area and wondered if there was a store you would recommend to get film and have the wetlab done. I have purchased a v600 so I will be doing the scanning at home.
There really aren’t any labs anymore since CVS and Walgreens stopped their one-hour developing service. If you want to develop C-41 color negative film for scanning I would gladly walk you though it. We can meet briefly for a training session since you live in the are. Let me know.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel tht is unfortunate. I would be very grateful if you could give me a brief training! is there any place you recommend to get film from locally or online?
I get my film from Adorama.com, sometimes Amazon and sometimes B&H photo. The prices fluctuate so I always compare before purchasing. Locally I’ve bought film from Dominion Camera. They have a store in DC and Burke, Va. they usually price match and have some very nice film cameras. I bought the Minolta Maxxum that I reviewed in another video from them. Also I have a video in developing C-41 color negative, slide and B&W film on my channel.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel thank you for the recommendation. I know it is a bad time for any kind of meet up due to what is going on. I referred to my email to introduce myself further. but understand the concerns, I will look the video up. Gov. Hogan is giving a press conference at 11 so we will see what come up from that. Be safe and thank you again for the counsel.
You’re so right. I don’t know what I was thinking, lol. Hope my tips and videos help. Thanks again.
do you know how to scan in 48b raw and remove dust wihtout buying this silverfast hdr software?
The software that comes with your scanner is capable of enabling the dust removal feature of your scanner since it’s a hardware feature and not software. The 48 bit scan depth is for color but some scanners actually can scan at 64 bit which includes the infrared channel. This is referred to as HDRi in Silverfast and something similar in Vuescan. What a 64 bit scan does is encapsulate the entire negative to include dust and scratch information detected by the infrared channel which creates a permanent Fully correctable file that you can archive and technically allows you to dump the original negative. If you don’t want to spend $400 for Silverfast (which is understandable), Vuescan is a great option for significantly less. Vuescan is a very powerful 3rd party scanning app that is very comparable to Silverfast. Both Vuescan and Silverfast have lifetime upgrades. Hope this helps.
Hi,
I have a cool scan 8000 but haven’t used it to scan 35mm film yet. I generally shoot 120. Would getting the XA for batch scanning worth it or should I stick to using the cool scan and not waste my money on a new one? What would be your take?
Thanks
The Coolscan 8000 is a versatile scanner since it can handle 35mm and 120 film formats. The distinct advantage that the Primefilm XA offers is the ability to scan an entire roll of 35mm film uninterrupted. The specs between the 8000 and PFXA seem pretty similar otherwise. If you shoot LOTS of 35mm film, the PFXA is well worth it. But if you’re primarily a 120 shooter and shoot significantly less 35mm, I wouldn’t spend the money. I would also mention if you aren’t already using it, I would look very closely at Silverfast Ai or even SE. I can’t overstate how much better the quality of the scans are when using Silverfast.
Film Photography Channel Thanks for the quick reply Eric. I guess I’ll stick to my cool scan than. 😊
I did look into silver fast but I like the Nikon scan software as is since I don’t do much post or scratch removal stuff in general and I learnt the hard way that you don’t need 4000dpi scans always. 😜
It worked on windows 7 for me. I think it should be ok to work with windows 10 as well.
what did you mean by x8 prescan , is that a way to preview the photos ahead of the scan ?
Yes the x8 is a higher resolution prescan that lets you see better detail in your photo before scanning. Go into the app settings to change it from default. The x8 prescan also allows you to see real time preview of dust and scratch removal and other adjustments. You also use prescans (at any resolution) to crop and align your photos.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel perfect thankyou , ive done some scans so far and been happy but im tryig to refine the workflow and after watching some of your videos I'm considering getting the HDR studio to start scanning real raw , Many thanks
I'm considering getting into developing and scanning my own film. Is the epson v600 good? It's about $900 less than the v850, but I wouldn't know the difference between the two scanners.
The V600 is a good scanner. It scans less 35mm frames at a time because of the smaller film holder and has a much lower resolution than the V850. I would recommend using Silverfast scanning software with the V600 as it will make your scans much better. Also consider the V700 refurbished or used ($250-$350). I had my V700 for about 12 years before it failed. If you buy a used v700, make sure the seller has a return policy and a good reputation. It’s a great scanner and pretty much the same as the V800 just without the LED light source. The V600 will get the job done but I much prefer the bigger V7xx/8xx series especially for 35mm film.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Thanks! I really appreciate your in depth feedback and the time it took.
Hi. Will this scanner work with xpan negatives?
The Primefilm doesn’t work with wide-format negatives. The Epson will scan Xpan negatives with no problem. Consider wet scanning them also.
Hey There , Great video.. I'm a pro photographer. I have Epson 2450 scanner.. which is extremely good but I bought the epson v750 pro about eight years ago... love it!.. I don't use my scanners as much as I would like too.. I was just given an assignment of scanning over 50 slides.. the epson software for scanning slides is great I just wanted to know how much better is the silverfast software and where can I get it for not so much (silverfast 8)? ...B&H has it for $99.. I will check ebay to see if I can get it for less.. for me the investment is base on how high the ROI is. Is this the current version of SF8?
Hi thanks. Silverfast is up to version 8 but check their website very carefully to see which version is appropriate for scanning slides. The $99 offer sounds great but you should be sure it’s the correct version. The process differs from negatives and may even require that you also purchase an it8 slide to calibrate your scanner. Good luck!
Seems the Pacific Image scanner is pretty hard to find these days. Any recommendations?
You can get it here. czcams.com/users/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmpMSEVpVWFiMzU5WDBRN2RCdU5qczh4M05uZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsekJmbUpjWmNrd19XVXYtelNJeXFtRzlhNlgwdDB3cXMwVjFCajE4RV9zOVlzdmhfandJWTVBX2RwNS1JMDk2SmRTNEpJVmN6anZZYzFIVzFpMkVrZzRoSXRNbnczT0JvYjZON2RiN3hvWGNubzZyYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F3cySqXJ
This is the newer version of the scanner that I featured in this video. It’s supposed to do everything a little faster than my version but I haven’t used it yet.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel i've done a little research the real issue where I live is that the company doesn't seem to distribute their products in Europe, and also they have a lot of flawed units and a very crappy customer service.
i have to admit , i tried self scanning , but i never really got any good results so i usually send my rolls to my favorite lab.
I really enjoy doing my own scans. It’s certainly cheaper than sending to a lab. You can also make bigger scans and control the color to your taste.
I have this scanner. It is a nice scanner but I for color photography I can never get scans as good (or close) to what the lab has. The lab have great harware and people that scan all day and know what good color is. Black and white on the other hand I can match or even beat lab results using this scanner. I can get good scans but paying the extra $10 to get great scanning results and the time saved is worth it. If I start shooting more film I will maybe revisit. Scanning your own film can be fun though.
does it batch several strips at a time?
The Primefilm XA takes one strip of 35mm film up to 44 frames. It scans normal sized frames, not panoramic.
Can you provide an update on how your dedicated 35mm scanner is still doing in 2022? I've read LOTS of reviews on that hardware that says it degrades in quality over time BADLY, and am trying to find a reliable scanner as a novice photographer. Seems there is no such thing as a "good" quality scanner for less than $3k
They don’t degrade one iota, lol. I’m not sure who made that claim. I had an Epson V700 for about 12 years and it worked perfectly until it died. I actually had it repaired when I saw how much they were selling for on eBay. I have the v850 now which I bought new for only $799. I’ve seen the same model increase to as much as $1400! The big Epson Perfection V7/8xx scanners are very durable workhorses that yield great color and sharpness that’s within a hair of a drum scanner. Just remember to make sure the negative is flat you won’t find a better result.
My dedicated film scanner has proven itself to be very durable. I’ve had no issues with it whatsoever other than the occasional misalignment when feeding. Otherwise very durable. It’s also easier to get a sharp scan since the scanner flattens out the negative as it’s fed through. Sorry I answered the wrong question earlier since you didn’t ask about the Epson.
I notice the Pacific Image scanner on top of the Mac Pro. What are your thoughts? I have it and am considering selling it to get the V850...Or should I keep it?
The Pacific image is a gem. I wouldn’t get rid of it ever. It’s really convenient and sharper than the Epson for 35mm. The Epson V850 is a phenomenal scanner that also yields great results on 35mm and larger formats. It would depend on money I guess. If it’s affordable to have both, I would definitely keep both. Also I assume you shoot larger format films than 35mm?
So, I hadn't watched all the way to the end :)
Film Photography Channel Thanks for your reply! I recently got myself a Pentax 645 Nii so am starting to get into medium format (but have lots of old film and slides). Hence the interest in the V850. I could potentially keep the Pacific Image scanner but not sure if it would be worth it, having the V850. Maybe you could do a video on a side by side comparison ;)
@@saltinbanquis Check out my Fluid Mount Scanning video. It compares scans from the Epson V850 (wet and dry scans) vs the Primefilm XA. I learned a lot while making and researching the vid. czcams.com/video/wEZO_EepVbA/video.html
Don't you have to buy another version of Silverfast if you have an Epson V600 and a V800? Silverfast software is scanner specific, which defeats the purpose of buying a cheaper V600 in addition to having a V800.
Technically that’s true but I called the good folks at LaserSoft Imaging and they gave me a serial number for my scanner. I originally bought Silverfast Ai for my V700. After it died I picked up a V550 and a later a V600, both of which I returned and ended up buying the V850 and Primefilm XA. The Silverfast folks gave a a serial for each one until I settled on the scanners that I have now. They were incredibly helpful.
Do you know the difference and how the PI Primefilm XA compares to the XEs?
They’re pretty similar except for the XEs has a slightly lower DMAX and uses a mount to feed it the film. It doesn’t auto feed where the XA automatically feeds a long strip of film. The XA costs more also.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Thanks, so the XEs is pretty much the same as my Plustek 8200 and has the same drawback, won't scan full neg. strips. Again, thanks.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I just noticed there is a XA and an XAs, do you know the difference in those two? Was ready to buy the XE but it's not what I want and Yeah, like you said regretfully the XA is out of my budget at $750 used. Guess I will just have to make due with the PF1800 and Vuescan I have.
The Primefilm XAs sells for $499 on Adorama. I think they stopped production on the XA. The XAs is supposed to operate a little faster than the XA. I don’t think the specs are any better. Please use the link in the description if you decide to get one. Thanks!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I would have used your link but B&H had the AXs on sale for $470. I'll be sure to use your link next time I buy film or supplies.
For the PrimeFilm, are you scanning emulsion up or emulsion down?
You should scan with the emulsion side facing up. I can’t say that I do that 100% of the time!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Do you have to manually flip the images in post then? Watching your video, your text appears to be the correct way, but when I scan with emulsion up, the text is backwards.
Hi I do flip or rotate as needed. I do that after the prescan.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I wish there were more info about this. It took a call to the company itself to find out that an inverted image is normal, and that you have to flip it. Surprised you never mentioned this in your review. Good product, but its instructions are spotty at best.
Dust looks like a real problem. Is that typical?
The scratch and dust removal feature goes a long way towards eliminating the dust problem. It’s always a good practice to eliminate as much dust as possible with a blower brush before scanning. Another technique that eliminates dust is wet mount or fluid mount scanning. I made a video that shows how to. Thanks!
Are you selling the scanner or the software that comes with it?
I’m not. Check eBay. They have both for sale