Final Thoughts
After using the OpticFilm 7500 Ai Slide and Negative scanner I think the true power of this unit is way overkill for the average Joe consumer. Really, what average guy really needs files that are 7200 DPI at 375mb each? I really think the performance of this unit is definitely designed more for professionals that need 7200 DPI resolution files from a negative that is no larger than 1 inch by 1 inch. To give you an idea, the amount of information in this small space scanned at 7200 DPI could enable the user to enlarge the scan to produce an image big enough to wrap the side of an office building in downtown Manhattan…sort of, but you get the picture.
Average users looking to archive 35mm negatives could probably get away with something less expensive and maybe something in PlusTek’s OpticPro ST Series of imaging products designed for general consumer and home use.
Regardless, the OpticFilm 7500 Ai Slide and Negative scanner does work. However I do have some issues with the SilverFast AI Studio software and the quality of the digital files after scanning the negatives. Although you can request from 600DPI all the way up to 7200DPI resolution from the scanner, the scanner is so sensitive that it seems to pick up absolutely every spec on the negative. This is a bit of a pain in the rear, as this requires additional steps in the image editing program to get rid of these specs! If your negatives have been sitting around for years and years, they may be dirty or have a weird film on them from being stored over time. If you want to get as clean of a scan to start with, it is advisable to start with clean negatives.
The other issue with dust and weird particles is the ability to clean the inside of the scanner. It is one thing to start with a clean negative, but what happens if some dirt or dust managed to get inside the scanner on the scanning surface? There is no way to open the unit to check and clean the scanning surface. I suppose you could stick the straw of a compressed air can inside the unit and give it a blast, but you have no idea what you are blasting and cleaning!
I illustrated above that the OpticFilm 7500 Ai Slide and Negative scanner seems to produce images that are much more washed out than the original picture whether it is a high resolution or low resoution scan. I guess this doesn’t really matter if you are going to edit the heck out of the scans and tweak things to what pleases your eye, but it would have been nice to have the scanner produce files at any resolution that are a bit closer in color to replicating the original print. The SilverFast Ai Studio software was no help in this respect beause I found it to be confusing and somewhat over my head for most of the things I would do.
At $600 USD, this is no cheap piece of hardware and archiving negatives will take some time with this unit as you need to manually push the film strip holder through to each image you want to scan. It would have been nice for the film strip to move to the next slide automatically. The Silverfast Ai software could really use some Ai and just give the user a few different scenarios instead of smacking them in the face with a bevy of adjustment options. However, if money is no object, you have lots of time on your hands and like to edit hundreds of digital photos and you want the absolutely best possible quality out of your 35mm negative then this is the piece of hardware for you. Just make sure you have the horsepower and storage to process 7200 DPI files that are 300-375 MB each.
Pros
- 7200 DPI Scanning ability out of a 35mm negative
- No moving parts and relatively easy to use after hardware is installed
- Good professional grade piece of hardware
- QuickScan menu settings are easy to use.
- Nice carrying bag for transport
- SilverFast Ai Studio is good value added software if you don’t want to buy Photoshop etc.
Cons
- Expensive and way over kill for the average consumers needs
- Too many languages on the box and instruction manuals
- SilverFast Ai Studio is confusing to use
- High resolution scans take at least 4 minutes per image
- Manual feeding of slide holder through the machine takes a while
- Slider holder seems a bit flimsy and the negative still move around inside the enclosure
- Output files are a bit washed out and colors are off compared to the original print without adjustment
Overall Rating: 7.5 / 10.0
Discuss This Review in the Futurelooks Community Forums