Plustek OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner
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The Plustek OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner is capable of scanning 35mm slide and negatives at a resolution of 7200dpi. Making it the perfect scanner for photographers and small office users, offering a variety of possibilities including high quality images for magazines and other printed material, photo enlargements, brochures, digitizing slides/negatives, or web pages, as well as images to share with friends on the Internet, and more.
The OpticFilm 7500i SE scans at 48-bit color for extremely accurate and vibrant color images that retain subtle details in the highlight and shadow areas of the scanned image. To minimize noise, the scanners Multiple Sampling Function makes 4 scan passes that are averaged together so image noise is cancelled out. Furthermore, the scanner is equipped with iSRD (Infrared Smart Removal of Defect), which utilizes a combination of hardware and software to automatically eliminate minor flaws, such as dust and scratches, using an infrared channel to detect the flaws.
The OpticFilm 7500i SE includes LaserSoft Imaging SilverFast 6.5 SEPlus (Multiple Exposure) iSRD software, an award winning scanning software that provides enhanced functions such as Multi-Exposure scanning for better shadow & highlight detail, Auto Adjust, NegaFix, Selective Color Correction, iSRD control, plus many more function to optimize your scanned image quality.
- Scan Slides and Negatives
- Two film holders are provided - One is for holding up to four mounted slides, the other is for filmstrips up to 6 frames. The Film holders have the added benefit of protecting the film from the scanner mechanisms because there is no physical contact with the media during scanning process.
- Multiple Sampling Function
- The Plustek multiple sampling function minimizes image noise by making 4 sequential scans for your slide or negative, which are then averaged together in order to cancel out the inconsistencies that are present due to image noise.
- Multi-Exposure Function
- The Multi-Exposure function can be utilized with negative film to provide improved shadow & highlight detail and provide images with a richness and depth that makes your pictures look as if they are three dimensional.
- iSRD Dust & Scratch Removal
- iSRD (Infrared Smart Removal of Defect) uses a combination of hardware and software to automatically eliminate minor flaws, such as dust and scratches. Two modes are available - in the Automatic mode, SilverFast iSRD operates completely on its own and applies corrected result to the entire scanned frame. In manual mode, the user can select certain area(s) to work on, and leave the rest untouched. The SilverFast iSRD system does not soften or blur the scanned file and provides the user with an enhanced genuine image.
- USB 2.0 High Speed Connection
- Providing a High speed connection to your computer, the USB 2.0 interface allows the scanner to operate quickly and seamlessly with your PC.
- Includes Carrying Bag
- The included padded carrying bag is specially designed for the film scanner with a main compartment that accommodates the scanner, power adapter and USB cord. The case comes with an easy-to-grip handle for hand carry, and features Velcro a taped pocket to house film holders.
- NewSoft Presto! ImageFolio 4.5 & PageManager 7.10 Included
- ImageFolio is a comprehensive multimedia image-processing program that provides a sophisticated set of image-editing tools to enable users to quickly create new images or enhance existing ones. The software incorporates a complete set of image-tuning functions, and allows users to manage and preview image files. The software also provides monitor Gamma adjustment, and TWAIN interface support for automatic fine-tuning during scanning. PageManager makes it easy to share, and organize images and documents. It provides powerful document management for OCR and PDF creation, or format conversion to Microsoft Word or Excel, along with network support to share files over a network. Users can stack associated files together so they can be opened together, and browse images with the Slideshow applet.
- SilverFast SE Scan Software
- SilverFast is world class professional scan software that incorporates the stand-alone SilverFast Launcher and TWAIN Plug-in applications. It provides users and professionals with a powerful tool for scanning, editing, and color reproduction. It also includes iSRD (hardware solution to Dust and Scratch Removal), supports Multiple Exposure scanning, NegaFix, and many other advance features.
| Film Types | 35mm Slides and Negatives |
| Scan Quality | |
|---|---|
| Scan Sensor | Color CCD image sensor |
| Optical Resolution | 7200dpi |
| Hardware Resolution | 7200 x 7200dpi |
| Interpolated Resolution | No |
| Color Depth | 48-Bit RGB |
| Dynamic Range | 3.5 |
| Focus System | Auto Focus |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Preview Speed | 11 seconds (without calibration) |
| Scan Speed |
73 seconds @ 3600dpi 332 seconds @ 7200dpi |
| Batch Scanning |
Up to 4 Mounted slides Up to 6 Filmstrip Frames |
| Automation | iSRD Dust & Scratch Removal |
| Connectivity | |
|---|---|
| Computer Interface | USB 2.0 |
| System & Software Requirements |
Windows System
Macintosh System Please Note:Windows 7 requires a download from Plustek website: http://www.plustek.com/support/download.asp close |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Light Source | Cold Cathode lamp |
| Power Requirements | 100-120VAC, 50-60Hz |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 4.8 x 4.7 x 10.7" (120 x 119 x 272mm) |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1.6kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 47 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
93%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Good resolution (33)
- Consistent (24)
- Good bit depth (18)
- Accurate thumbnails (17)
- Fast (16)
Cons
- Attracts dust (5)
- Slow (5)
- Not versatile (3)
Best Uses
- Photos and graphics (21)
- Digital printing (18)
- Web design (6)
- Publishing (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Frequent user (20), Casual user (17), Great graphics (3)
- Primary use:
- Personal (36), Business (4)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great value - exactly what I wanted
I do slide shows on how to photograph cars (both salon and motor sports) for car clubs. While I have a library of well over 100,000 slides, for the past 3 years I ...Read complete review
I do slide shows on how to photograph cars (both salon and motor sports) for car clubs. While I have a library of well over 100,000 slides, for the past 3 years I have been shooting exclusively with digital equipment. For ease of presentation, I have been showing only recent work in these sessions. That means my older work (which includes some really great cars, and even greater drivers) was sitting in boxes in the "camera room".
Since 2009 marks the 40th year I have been involved with photography, I wanted to put together a show called 40 years in 40 minutes using a lot of the older, often black and white, pictures - enter my new scanner.
I installed the software (a decent and simple scanning tool) and connected the hardware to my PC (not a MAC) in about 20 minutes (painless but I did have to read the instructions). And then, that fast, I was scanning slides to beat the band...
I used the maximum quality settings and had 5 MB JPG files in about 6 minutes. I then imported the scanned images into Adobe Elements - adjusted the color and brightness if needed.
The work flow was very simple and intuitive. Working from a few hundred pre-selected slides and a few B&W negatives, I was able to work quickly getting as many as 12 scans done per hour. Finally, as a test, I made a couple of 8X10 color prints from old Kodachromes using my trusty Canon photo printer. I was amazed how good they looked - as sharp and colorful as the Cibachromes I used to pay big bucks to my local lab to make in years gone by.
I am sure that the $1000 Nikon does a great job and is probably faster too but for my needs, this unit does exactly what I want at a price that can't be beat.
Finally, the sales rep I spoke to (sorry, do not have his name with me) was great. He knew his stuff and once he learned what I was going to do, he made sure I didn't buy too much or too little scanner for my purposes.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Nice scanner, so-so software
After many failed attempts at going digital, I decided to re-invest in film and stick with what I love. I shoot digital (Nikon D700) for work, and a leica rangefinder for my personal...Read complete review
After many failed attempts at going digital, I decided to re-invest in film and stick with what I love. I shoot digital (Nikon D700) for work, and a leica rangefinder for my personal work. I shoot color film (FujiFilm Pro 400h) and have my lab scan to disk. Their scans are great for low-res, but I needed a scanner to get large print quality files from my negatives. I figured I'd give the Plustek a try as it was relatively inexpensive. After having owned it for about six months, I can say that it's a decent scanner. I'm not quite blown away with the colors, but for the price it's been good.
I have switched to using VueScan and no longer use the included SilverFast scanning software. Until I discovered VueScan, the scans seemed out of focus. I couldn't get a nice crisp scan from SilverFast. I knew this was the case because the scanned images from my lab were blowing away anything I could get out of the Plustek. Very frustrating indeed. Silverfast is also a weirdly designed and confusing interface. Kinda like stepping back ten years. VueScan is simple enough for me and the colors and detail are far superior to what I was getting from SilverFast. The good news is that VueScan is a relatively cheap download. The bad news is that I didn't discover it until i'd already upgraded to Silverfast Ai.
To sum up, this is a good scanner for the price. However, I wasn't happy with it until I switched scanning software.
PS: I use LightRoom to post process, sharpen and color correct my images after scanning. I use Photoshop to remove dust and scratches.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 47 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Accurate Thumbnails
- Consistent
- Good Resolution
Cons
- Slow
Best Uses
- Photos and Graphics
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
Works well for scanning old negatives. I wish it was faster.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Web Design
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
The quality of the scans is just OK. However, if you have important pictures, that you may want to reprint later, get a better quality scanner.
The scanning speed is not bad.
As other reviewers indicated the scratch removal feature is useless.
A note of caution if the scanner comes with a mail in rebate. When you buy it, just account for the possibility that the company will not send you the check (not even after resending them the scanned purchasing info twice). They just ignore you.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Fast
- Good Resolution
Cons
- Ineffective iSRD
Best Uses
- Photos and Graphics
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
The resolution and sharpness of this scanner is great at 3600dpi (I think that's it's native optical resolution).
However, the iSRD function simply doesn't work. It does a poor job of identifying defects and repairs look worse than leaving scratches alone in the first place.
If you don't need the infrared defect removal, fine, get a model that's less expensive and doesn't even claim to have this feature.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
[...] Had a good exerience with Plustek while receiving assistance on installation & setup. I had a bad experience with SilverFast. The software is poor and real buggy. The scratch removal is worthless. They shouldn't even include it in the software because it doesn't work. It appears this may be a bait and switch tactic. They show it to you, but expect you to spend hundreds of dollars more to make it work. Features that SilverFast promote for this scanner are worthless. Software manufacturer is in Germany, with practically no support in the United States. United States Office doesn't open until noon and seldom answers the phone. Office in Germany won't reply to emails. Plustek appears to be a good scanner but they need different software. I am satisified with quality of the scanner that was purhased in January 2010 but software does not perform well on Windows 7 64bit.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Accurate Thumbnails
- Consistent
- Easy to use
- Good Resolution
Cons
- Extra passes can be slow
Best Uses
- Photos and Graphics
- Web Design
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
I've been using the 7500i SE to scan a number of my transparencies to upload and digitally file. The scans are easy to make. I usually do the 4 pass scan to keep the file size down. The scratch and dust removal software work well but I make sure my slides are as clean as possible prior to scanning. I'm still learning how to adjust the color on the pre-scan to best match the true slide color. Sometimes I have to use other programs to correct the color. I've also scanned some color negs. I found the Plustek negative scan is much better than the flatbed scan of the same print. Overall, I'm very satisfied with this scanner for my purposes.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
The quick scan is quick. When infrequently the scanner has a problem with an image, the intelli scan does a great job. The intelli scan offers many features - they are there if you wish to use them, if not, you can get an excellent rescan. I do all of my image manipulation in PhotoShop CS4, relying on the OpticFilm 7500i scanner to give me the basic product. And it does it well, so well that I bought a second one for use at the museum where I work part-time.
Pros
- Not difficult to use
- Short movies helpful
- Tools fairly intuitive
Cons
- Results need add'l work
- Too many tools don't work
Best Uses
- High Res scanning
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
I am a non-professional with a large collection photos taken over the past 40 years and want to get my collection scanned for printing, online use, convenient storage, etc. The OpticFilm 7500i SE scanner was easy to set up and begin to use with my MacBook Pro that is running Snow Leopard. The results look satisfactory in the SilverFast scan window and the ScanPilot works well enough for tweaking, but those results do not always look as good when viewed in the Mac's Preview or iPhoto applications where I take them to publish to the web. Sometimes they are awful. I always have to do further tweaking in those applications.
Secondly, I find that while the ScanPilot works to get me a digitized picture, the tools available through the SilverFast SE Plus panel such as the Histogram, Gradation Dialog, Global Colour Correction, Grain and Noise Removal, Dust and Scratch Removal, simply do not work. You cannot make selections in the dialogs; the OK buttons are grayed and unresponsive. I wonder if these tools have not been optimized for Snow Leopard. The hardcopy Mac Driver Installation Guide is useless, just a series of screenshots.
Pros
- Very good software
- Very high scan quality
Cons
- Must manually move tray
Best Uses
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
Overall, it is a truly impressive combination of hardware and software. The unit does an amazing job of scanning my old slides and negative, and the software that comes with it is very powerful.
The only thing I would have wanted in the unit was the ability to have it scan all slides or negatives in the tray unassisted.
With over 2000 slides, and more negatives to go, I will be at this for some time.
Pros
- Good Bit Depth
- Good Resolution
Cons
Best Uses
- Digital Printing
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
The scanner is compact and actually quite good, when you use it with VueScan. In this case you get 48 bit. Bundled software 24 bit only unfortunately.
In case you have really clean negatives this scanner is perhaps perfect. My negatives are not that good, have dust and scratches. I found that IR Circuit of 7500i performs worse (though perfectly fine for many users "non-perfectionists") than IR Circuit of Epson V700 (which is much more bulkier, heavier and expensive).
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Accurate Thumbnails
- Good Resolution
- Terrific color accurary
Cons
- Slow
Best Uses
- Digital Printing
- Photos and Graphics
- Publishing
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
Once you learn to fiddle with the less than intuitive software and start to dial in the settings, it's possible to get very clear accurate copies. The colors are accurate, and subtle color gradations and contrasts are all there. The software is unfortunately not aimed at Mac users, but once you get used to it, it will do everything you need. As long as you're not in a hurry.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Accurate Thumbnails
- Good Bit Depth
- Good Resolution
Cons
- Attracts Dust
- Slow
Best Uses
- Digital Printing
- Photos and Graphics
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
Bought it to scan all sorts of old slides and negatives. Lots of good scanning options, but it is a bit slow when using the multiscan option. Overall I'm happy with the results. The installation of the scanning software is not so intuitive.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Accurate Thumbnails
- Consistent
- Good Bit Depth
- Good Resolution
Cons
Best Uses
- Photos and Graphics
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
Simple easy setup, Worked right out of the box on Windows 7 64 bit! Good value for the price.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Accurate Thumbnails
- Consistent
- Fast
- Good Bit Depth
- Good Resolution
Cons
- Attracts Dust
Best Uses
- Digital Printing
- Photos and Graphics
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
Excellent scanner for using wuth Vista and Windows XP dont work with Windows 7 Drivers are missing
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Consistent
Cons
Best Uses
- Photos and Graphics
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
Having trouble with the software!!!!!
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Accurate Thumbnails
- Consistent
- Fast
- Good Bit Depth
- Good Resolution
Cons
- Attracts Dust
- Dont works with Windows 7
Best Uses
- Archiving slides
- Digital Printing
- Photos and Graphics
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
Works fine with provided software on 2 CD with Windows XP
DONT WORK with windows 7 , I had to download a new driver from Plustek which works soso with quickscan, but impossible to install silverFast software for intelliscan. I tried to downlaod latest version still impossible to install a driver is mising, Plustek told me that is a Silverfast problem and vice versa
To conclude
a good product to use with Windows XP or Vista , dont try to use with windows 7, perhaps in the futur when they will have fixed the soft, but we are in february 2010 and the updated softwares are not available
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy to use
- Fast
- Good Resolution
- Setup Easily
Cons
Best Uses
- Negitive Scans
- Slide Scans
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
I could not believe how easy it was to set up on my IMac. The scans turn out great. Great Bang for the Buck. I have a lot of negatives and slides to scan. I cannot even imagine how much money this will save me.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
Accompaning installation disk did not contain driver for Windows 7 64-bit. The LaserSoft scanning software also had to be downloaded from the website to install properly. Scanning with the software was slow. With 1000 slides to scan I tried Vuescan and things went very quickly.
Scanner is great; software is not so great.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Accurate Thumbnails
- Consistent
- Good Resolution
Cons
- Slow
Best Uses
- Digital Printing
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
I purchased the 7500i SE to scan 20 year old slides and negatives of my travels to Latin America and Asia. The scanner was very easy to set up. Even though I could not use the drive on the CD that came in the box because my PC is running Windows 7. I simply downloaded the Windows 7 driver from the Plustek website and I was up and running in less than an hour. The software is great, easily removing the dust and scratches that had accumulated over 2 decades. I would give a 5 star rating but I wish the multiscan feature was more automatic.
All in all I HIGHLY recommend the 7500i.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Consistent
- Good Bit Depth
- Good Resolution
- Reasonably fast
Cons
- Attracts Dust
- Difficult to Load
Best Uses
- Digital Printing
- Home archiving
- Web Design
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
This review is based on scanning negatives (Kodak Gold Plus ASA 200) The scanner is accurately described. I had no problems loading software. Unlike some of the reviews have stated, I found Silverfast Uscan SE pretty intuitive. Getting used to it took about 5-10 minutes - mainly to find things. Scanning speed was what I would expect for the dpi I chose (3600 dpi). The higher the dpi the slower the scan. I found it weird that above 3600 it went to 4000 and then 10,000 dpi. 10K dpi IS slow and creates an extremely large TIF file. Scan speed is a function of the scanner and USB speed; not Silverfast as some reports have indicated. This is NOT a commercial production unit. It is a home/hobby scanner.
I DID find the film holder for film strips to be somewhat difficult to handle and a bit lightweight. It was about what I would expect for a low to mid range scanner. It needs a positive snap and possibly some pegs to fit in the film holes for easy positioning. Once located properly in the frame, the positioning detents were positive and worked well.
Based on comparison with existing prints I have and a monitor calibration page I use, the color calibration seems to be pretty accurate, even without a cal slide and software.
Recommendations: I had a lot of trouble with dust and scratches. Get yourself a soft film brush for negatives and clean the film holder, and a can of "air" to blow the dust off the negatives after mounting. Follow the instructions on mounting with the emulsion side down. Wear cotton gloves so you don't put prints on the negatives while positioning.
The padded carrying case is very nice and helps protect against dust and dings.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Consistent
- Fast
- Good Resolution
Cons
Best Uses
- Digital Printing
- Photos and Graphics
Comments about Plustek Technology Inc. OpticFilm 7500i SE Film Scanner:
I needed to take family slides that were taken over 30 years ago and the pictures were outstanding. The scratch remover and other functions worked wonders in helping restore the quality of the pictures.
- Primary use:
- Personal
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Storage Pages
- Price: $19.95
Care & Cleaning
- Price: $9.95
What's in the Box
- Power Adapter
- USB Cable (59")
- 35mm Mounted Slide Holder (4 frames)
- 35mm Negative Film Holder (6 frames)
- Padded Carry Bag
- Plustek Setup/Application CD-ROM
- SilverFast SE Plus CD-ROM
- Quickguide
- 1-Year Manufacturers Limited Warranty
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