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Plustek has died


too old to care

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A few years ago I was one of the participants of the discussion on Plustek, Good for the Money.  At least that is what I though the topic was.  Doc Henry and I were working with Plustek on a software issue.  Since then I have retired and moved to Florida, and I've been away from the forum for awhile.  I am getting my darkroom setup again, and I am also trying to scan some photos, but as a result of the move my Plustek has died.  

 

I know that I can replace it, but if it is a simple fix I would like to attempt to repair it.  The green light on the front only flashes, and the computer will not recognize it.  Any suggestions would be appreciated on repairs, or replacements.  

 

Thanks,

 

Wayne 

 

 

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Of course I remember you, nice to hear from you again.  I tried to send a PM, but it would not go through.  My scanner is a 7600i.  I hate to get another one, since I do not print from it, I only use it to scan negatives to email them.  I still have a Canon flatbed scanner that works, but the resolution is not nearly as good as the Plustek.  

 

Since it is no longer under warranty I opened it up and checked for something knocked loose, manually operated the motor with my finger, and checked the switches.  I also checked the power supply to make sure it was outputting the correct voltage.  I have an extensive background in electronics (EE, worked as a test engineer much of my career).  

 

It is rather simple inside, just a strip of sensors over the negative holder that moves back and forth, driven by a very small motor.  Very few circuits, some small connectors that I reconnected to make sure they were tight.  The solder joints look fine.  The LED flashes once a second when I turn on power, that is all that I see working.  

 

Until the move it was working fine, I guess the moving company dropped the box it was in, or maybe it froze.  Other things were also damaged in the move, including a printer that I forgot to remove the ink.  It was well below zero fahrenheit when we left, and the moving van took a week to get to Florida.  Guess it could have frozen too, like the printer ink did.  

 

Thanks for your help.  

 

Wayne

 

Yes Wayne great memory for me. Sorry for this news

Remember me, what model do you have ?

Regards

Henry

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Wayne,

Sorry to hear of this, it's annoying to say the least.

 

I'd try a "Help" message to Plustek, just to see if they can shed any light on it.

 

I had a similar situation with a Minolta 5400 I had a year or so ago. It was working fine, but had a line through the image, so a speck on the sensor most likely.

 

In pulling it to pieces a few times, and still not fixing the issue, I stuffed it completely, it gave similar symptoms as yours does, flashing light, not recognized. I cashed it up, and bought a Plustek, the 8100 model, and am very happy.

 

See if Plustek can help before you go too much further.

Gary

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Thanks, I found the contact info for Plustek and will ask their advice.  If it involves a repair, I may just retire the scanner and use my flatbed.  It is old, but it can do both 35mm and 6mm.  The Plustek can't.  

 

Wayne. 

 

I sent you a PM Wayne.

Yes I agree with Gary , contact first Plustek in the US

http://plustek.com/usa/support/rma-policy.html

If it needs a repair and if it costs too much, use your flatbed scan.

Another question : :)

Have you changed anything in the computer part  ?

Otherwise look all contacts, perhaps some anti-oxidant in bomb

for electronic circuit....

Disassemble the scanner and look if there are parts that oxidize

(green) in the circuits.

Look at the fuse(s) ?

Keep us in touch

Best

Henry

Edited by Doc Henry
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Update, I tried Vuescan, as well as SilverFast version 6 and 8.  None of them can find the Plustek.   Since SilverFast was registered to the Plustek, it cannot find my Canon scanner either. Vuescan did see the Canon, leading me to believe the Plustak is dead.  I sent a request for info to them and hope to hear something next week. However, as old as this scanner is, I do not plan on spending much money on it, instead use it as excuse to get a new one.  

 

Thanks all for the suggestions,

 

Wayne

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There is sometimes a little software dance I have to do with my Plustek 120 to get my computer and scanning software to find it. It comprises of opening the software, switching the scanner on, closing the software, then opening the software again. The software then finds the scanner. It is baffling to me why this should be needed, and it isn't always the case. I only use Vuescan and can't say if Silverfast would find the scanner immediately because I refuse to use it.

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Update, I tried Vuescan, as well as SilverFast version 6 and 8.  None of them can find the Plustek.   Since SilverFast was registered to the Plustek, it cannot find my Canon scanner either. Vuescan did see the Canon, leading me to believe the Plustak is dead.  I sent a request for info to them and hope to hear something next week. However, as old as this scanner is, I do not plan on spending much money on it, instead use it as excuse to get a new one.  

 

Thanks all for the suggestions,

 

Wayne

 

 

Another update, still no response from Plustek.  Guess I am out a scanner, thus I will be looking for a Epson in the near future.  

Edited by too old to care
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I've been away for awhile, so I just have started my research.  But the Epson V800 looks good.  I can assume that it is an improved version of the V700 and V750 series.  Being retired, I may look for a used one on eBay, I have had good luck there in the past.  If I cannot find a good one with a warranty of some kind, I will wait until I can justify the V800.  

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I've been away for awhile, so I just have started my research.  But the Epson V800 looks good.  I can assume that it is an improved version of the V700 and V750 series.  Being retired, I may look for a used one on eBay, I have had good luck there in the past.  If I cannot find a good one with a warranty of some kind, I will wait until I can justify the V800.  

 

Mine was a rhetorical question because Epson don't make a scanner that is good for 35mm.

 

 

Steve

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I've been away for awhile, so I just have started my research.  But the Epson V800 looks good.  I can assume that it is an improved version of the V700 and V750 series.  Being retired, I may look for a used one on eBay, I have had good luck there in the past.  If I cannot find a good one with a warranty of some kind, I will wait until I can justify the V800.  

 

Wayne , Epson is a good scan for 135 (24x36) and also for MF if one day you choose MF (Hasselblad Rollei, and others)

You remember our tests with Epson,Minolta and Nikon etc...good memory for me !

I think Epson is very good for b&w . The general rendering is fine. You can find now in second hand a V700 or V750 at a good price. If not, buy the new V800.

 

Another option is the Minolta Dimage II second hand  also cheap !

 

2 pictures Tiff>Jpeg 16bits - 4550x3025 = 39 Mo

Uncorrected.Standard factory setting untouched

 

 

Film Bergger 400 Plus Prof

(dev home lab Ilfosol S)

Epson V700 + ANR* Glass

Epson software.

MP-50 Lux Asph

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

you can see the cobwebs on the first photo.

 

 

For me it's perfectly correct for b&w scan . I admit it's better in print  :)

Your opinion about the scan ?

 

You remember ANR = AntiNewton Glass to flatten the film.

This glass improves the quality of the picture without denaturing the original !

 

Best

Henry

Edited by Doc Henry
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... and in color you have this

 

Epson V700 + ANR Glass - Epson software

Tiff> Jpeg > 4526x2967 = 38,4 Mo (24 bits)

standard setting


Kodak Portra 400

Leica MP-90 MacroElmar-tripod

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

Best

Henry

Edited by Doc Henry
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and another flower in macrophoto , the best subject to test color film and definition of scanner ! :)

 

Kodak P 400

MP-90 ME

Epson V700-ANR Glass

 

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

These 4 pictures are uncorrected  with any software photo.

 

Rg

H.

http://www.betterscanning.com/scanning/insert35.html

Edited by Doc Henry
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Thanks for the examples.  I almost never shoot color film anymore, I have just gotten too lazy.  I love B&W film.  My M6 does not see much use since my Plustek died.  Most of my photos are taken with my 501C.  My Canon scanner does ok, but if I want to print bigger than 11 by 14, I print from a scan, not a wet print.  My trays only go to 11x14.  I am not satisfied with the resolution of the scans.  Your shots look great, and the ANR glass helps.  I still use mine on the Canon scanner, so if I get a Epson I will be adding that too.  

 

I've been looking for a good used V700 or V750.  I just cannot justify the V800 right now.  I would like to scan 35 again, but the Canon just doesn't do it justice.  

 

Thanks again.  

 

Wayne

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Wayne you're welcome

I just tried printing in A4 and A3 (ink jet Epson profes. by my Leica Center lab) it works perfectly

with V700

But you know I have Focomat enlarger and I can easily enlarge in 30x40 cms in b&w.

The second advantage of Epson scan is  you can scan in one time 24 poses (6x4)

In b&w V700 is satisfying both in MF or 135.

Best

Henry

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You are far better off buying another Plustek. You don't even need to buy the latest, buy a new older version that is being sold off cheap, there are plenty on Ebay. Aside from the very latest 35mm Plustek scanner they are essentially all the same except for the bundled Silverfast software (and you don't need it anyway), this is the only thing that differentiates the models with a couple of exceptions. The 7400 doesn't have the IR cleaning function for example, but that function degrades images anyway. I have three scanners at the moment, the Plustek 7400 and Plustek 120, and Epson V700. In the past I have owned a Minolta Multi Pro and a Nikon 9000. My 7400 can make far better 35mm scans than the V700, but is superseded by the 120 both in scan quality and versatility. But my now old 7400 produces as good results from the same negatives as the scans I did with the Multi Pro or Nikon.  

Edited by 250swb
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Thanks for the suggestions.  I liked the Plustek, but disappointed with the company ignoring my request for information. They have not even returned my email.  After my first encounter with them a few years ago, they were very helpful solving a software bug, and I was happy with their service.  

 

However, I have found several good buys on new ones, including the 8100 for just a bit over $300, and I may put this experience behind me and pick one up.  I am also pursuing a used V700 for about the same price.  

 

Thanks again,

 

wayne

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