Plustek's OpticFilm 8200i SE
Amateur Photographer|March 11,2017

Andy Westlake tests a specialist scanner for digitising your 35mm negatives and slides

Andy Westlake
Plustek's OpticFilm 8200i SE

Like a fair few of our readers, I suspect, my first forays into digital imaging came via scanning film. Before high-resolution digital cameras became commonplace, this enabled me to make decent quality A4 colour prints of my photos. Specialist film scanners were available from the main camera makers – Canon, Nikon and Minolta – and with a bit of care and patience could give pretty good results.

In 2017 things have changed a lot, and now most of the 35mm ‘scanners’ left on the market are essentially little cameras that digitise film using small CMOS sensors. However, Plustek still makes conventional film scanners. Its OpticFilm 8200i SE is designed to scan 35mm slides and negatives at resolutions of up to 7200x7200 dots per inch (dpi), which in principle could give a file of nearly 70 million pixels, equating to a print size of 34x27in at 300ppi. It has a specified Dmax (the maximum density through which it can record details) of 3.6, which is usually considered ample for negatives and sufficient for most slides. With the bundled SilverFast software it also offers multi-exposure scanning to extract cleaner shadow detail from slides. This all sounds very impressive, but does it deliver?

Design 

With a footprint of around 26.5x8.5cm, the OpticFilm 8200Si won’t take up too much space on your desk. It comes supplied with everything you need, including holders for 35mm negatives and slides and a USB cable to connect to your computer. One nice touch is the fitted carry case to pack the scanner away if you don’t want to leave it on your desk gathering dust – the bane of film scanning.

Denne historien er fra March 11,2017-utgaven av Amateur Photographer.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra March 11,2017-utgaven av Amateur Photographer.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERSe alt
140 years of change
Amateur Photographer

140 years of change

AP has become the world’s oldest surviving consumer photo magazine because we have moved with the times, says Nigel Atherton

time-read
2 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Preserving history in platinum
Amateur Photographer

Preserving history in platinum

A deep dive into the meticulous art of platinum printing, and the collaboration between the Royal Geographical Society and Salto Ulbeek. Mike Crawford explores how they brought historical photographs to life with enduring beauty and precision

time-read
7 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Life in the past lane
Amateur Photographer

Life in the past lane

What was life like for an amateur photographer in 1884? John Wade takes a trip back in time

time-read
3 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Choice cuts
Amateur Photographer

Choice cuts

How many trillions of photographs must have been taken in the past 140 years? Amy Davies asked some of our regular contributors for their favourites....a difficult task, to say the least

time-read
4 mins  |
September 24, 2024
How good a camera can you buy for just £140?
Amateur Photographer

How good a camera can you buy for just £140?

Three members of the AP team see what they can find for the money

time-read
5 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Round Five: The Best of the Rest
Amateur Photographer

Round Five: The Best of the Rest

The APOY judges choose their favourite images that didn’t make the top ten of our Landscapes category

time-read
3 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Amateur Photographer of the Year
Amateur Photographer

Amateur Photographer of the Year

Here are the top ten images uploaded to Photocrowd from Round Five, Landscapes, with comments by the AP team and our guest judge

time-read
4 mins  |
September 24, 2024
FILM STARS A lifetime of landmarks
Amateur Photographer

FILM STARS A lifetime of landmarks

Cameras that hit the headlines between then and now. John Wade is your guide

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 24, 2024
140 years of Amateur Photographer
Amateur Photographer

140 years of Amateur Photographer

As AP celebrates its 140th birthday next month, Nigel Atherton looks back at its glorious past

time-read
8 mins  |
September 24, 2024
John Wade considers...World War II: Home Front 1940, by A.J O'Brien
Amateur Photographer

John Wade considers...World War II: Home Front 1940, by A.J O'Brien

Say the word 'Wall's' to those of a certain age and two things spring to mind: sausages and ice cream.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 10, 2024