By Ian Burley
24th October - 2001
 |  |
Torrance, California, based film scanner manufacturer, Pacific Image Electronics, Inc., has unveiled its latest film digitiser, the PrimeFilm 1800AFL.
AFL stands for ‘Auto Film Loader’ and the company says the 1800AFL is the first film scanner that automatically loads and feeds 35mm film strips and roll film at “a price that consumers and professionals alike will appreciate.” That price is $399, or about £285 excluding VAT.
Most of us see our negatives returned to us in neatly packed holders containing strips of 4 or 6 frames, but if you develop your own, you can end up with lengthy rolls containing up to 40 or so frames. The PrimeFilm 1800AFL can sequentially digitise such un-cut 35mm film rolls or conventional cut film strips. The PF 1800AFL has an auto focus lens, an 1800dpi (dots per inch) optical resolution sensor, making a full frame scan equivalent to about 2550x1700 pixels, or roughly 4.3 megapixels. Colour sensitivity is rated at 42 bits and the dynamic range value is 3.2. Per frame scanning can take as little as 23 seconds.
Roll and film strips are fed through a slot on the side of the unit. Roll scanning can be set up and then started to proceed unattended. Front loading access of mounted slides is also provided. The scanner is USB port equipped and can be used with both Windows and Mac host computers.
There is no firm indication as to when the PrimeFilm 1800AFL will reach the UK, but we’ll let you know as soon as we find out.
www.scanace.com (Pacific Image Electronics Web site)
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
DPN News service
www.dp-now.com
