Pacific Image PF120 - DOA?

[KatManDEW]

I bit the bullet and purchased a Pacific Image PF120 from B&H. I cannot get any software to communicate with it, using Vuescan, which works fine with my Minolta Dimage scanner, or with the CyberViewX software that is available for use with the scanner. I've tried three different computers, two of which are laptops which have no other USB devices connected to them.



It shows up in Control Panel as "120 Film Scanner". Opening it in Control Panel appears to have the capability to scan from right there, but I also cannot preview or scan from there.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Did I get a unit that's DOA?

 

[sybersitizen]

I cannot get any software to communicate with it, using Vuescan,

That's unexpected. Have you contacted Hamrick about it?

which works fine with my Minolta Dimage scanner, or with the CyberViewX software that is available for use with the scanner.

What kind of computer do you have CyberViewX running on?

Did I get a unit that's DOA?

Kinda sounds that way.

 

[KatManDEW]

I cannot get any software to communicate with it, using Vuescan,

That's unexpected. Have you contacted Hamrick about it?

which works fine with my Minolta Dimage scanner, or with the CyberViewX software that is available for use with the scanner.

What kind of computer do you have CyberViewX running on?

Did I get a unit that's DOA?

Kinda sounds that way.

I haven't contacted Hamrick because nothing else seems to be able to communicate with the PF120. But I guess I will see what they say.

My main computer is a homebuilt desktop. Core i7-6700K @ 4GHz. 48 GB memory.

Thank you for the reply.

 

[Overrank]

Someone else has had the same issue with that scanner ( https://www.robertstech.com/blog/?p=2129 )

“it’s worth noting that you will have to install the OEM software even if you’re using a third party such as SilverFast or Hamrick VueScan (which you definitely should do — more on that in a moment). I tried using the PF120 immediately with VueScan and my computer wouldn’t even recognize the scanner; the drivers must be installed first even if you’re using VueScan.”

 

[sybersitizen]

I cannot get any software to communicate with it, using Vuescan,

That's unexpected. Have you contacted Hamrick about it?

which works fine with my Minolta Dimage scanner, or with the CyberViewX software that is available for use with the scanner.

What kind of computer do you have CyberViewX running on?

Did I get a unit that's DOA?

Kinda sounds that way.

I haven't contacted Hamrick because nothing else seems to be able to communicate with the PF120. But I guess I will see what they say.
My main computer is a homebuilt desktop. Core i7-6700K @ 4GHz. 48 GB memory.
Thank you for the reply.

I thought CyberViewX (and/or its driver) doesn't work with Win10. Pacific Image doesn't even allow downloads of the software for such scanners anymore.

Yes, I just tried installing one of the old versions I have (5.11.70) on a Win10 computer and the program appears to start ... but then I get the 'Unable to communicate with the film scanner' message with a scanner that I know is good.

If it's true that you need the OEM software in order to run that scanner, even when using VueScan, I think you'll also need a computer with an older operating system. I happen to still have a WinXP laptop, and CyberViewX runs on it.

 

[cptrios]

It boggles my mind that PIE/B&H would sell something as "new" that literally won't work on a modern OS. Fingers crossed you find a workaround!

 

[Mike Engles]

I bit the bullet and purchased a Pacific Image PF120 from B&H. I cannot get any software to communicate with it, using Vuescan, which works fine with my Minolta Dimage scanner, or with the CyberViewX software that is available for use with the scanner. I've tried three different computers, two of which are laptops which have no other USB devices connected to them.

It shows up in Control Panel as "120 Film Scanner". Opening it in Control Panel appears to have the capability to scan from right there, but I also cannot preview or scan from there.
Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Did I get a unit that's DOA?

Sometimes with scanners, you have to load the drivers,reboot and install the software. Alternatively, download Silverfast, assuming it does support the scanner

 

[KatManDEW]

I cannot get any software to communicate with it, using Vuescan,

That's unexpected. Have you contacted Hamrick about it?

which works fine with my Minolta Dimage scanner, or with the CyberViewX software that is available for use with the scanner.

What kind of computer do you have CyberViewX running on?

Did I get a unit that's DOA?

Kinda sounds that way.

I haven't contacted Hamrick because nothing else seems to be able to communicate with the PF120. But I guess I will see what they say.
My main computer is a homebuilt desktop. Core i7-6700K @ 4GHz. 48 GB memory.
Thank you for the reply.

I thought CyberViewX (and/or its driver) doesn't work with Win10. Pacific Image doesn't even allow downloads of the software for such scanners anymore.

Yes, I just tried installing one of the old versions I have (5.11.70) on a Win10 computer and the program appears to start ... but then I get the 'Unable to communicate with the film scanner' message with a scanner that I know is good.

If it's true that you need the OEM software in order to run that scanner, even when using VueScan, I think you'll also need a computer with an older operating system. I happen to still have a WinXP laptop, and CyberViewX runs on it.

That does appear to be the case. I have now tried it with my desktop running Win 10, and three laptops running Windows 7. I got Silverfast, and it also does not work with the PF120.

 

[KatManDEW]

It boggles my mind that PIE/B&H would sell something as "new" that literally won't work on a modern OS. Fingers crossed you find a workaround!

Yes, me too. Windows XP is 20 years old! Microsoft support for it stopped 7 years ago.

I've been trying to run CyberViewX in compatibility mode, and Win 10 only offers that back to Windows Vista.

It indeed shocks me that PIE/B&H are selling a product which only works with an "antique" computer. And an EXPENSIVE product, which only works with an "antique" computer.

 

[KatManDEW]

I bit the bullet and purchased a Pacific Image PF120 from B&H. I cannot get any software to communicate with it, using Vuescan, which works fine with my Minolta Dimage scanner, or with the CyberViewX software that is available for use with the scanner. I've tried three different computers, two of which are laptops which have no other USB devices connected to them.

It shows up in Control Panel as "120 Film Scanner". Opening it in Control Panel appears to have the capability to scan from right there, but I also cannot preview or scan from there.
Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Did I get a unit that's DOA?

Sometimes with scanners, you have to load the drivers,reboot and install the software. Alternatively, download Silverfast, assuming it does support the scanner

Silverfast supposedly works with the PF120, but Silverfast also requires the "drivers" which are bundled and installed with CyberViewX. And those "drivers" appear to be the problem.

I know that my Minolta Dimage Scan Elite 5400 sopped working with Windows 7 because Win 7 dropped support for the TWAIN interface. Fortunately purchasing Vuescan got my Minolta working with Windows 10.

 

[sybersitizen]

It boggles my mind that PIE/B&H would sell something as "new" that literally won't work on a modern OS. Fingers crossed you find a workaround!

Yes, me too. Windows XP is 20 years old! Microsoft support for it stopped 7 years ago.

I've been trying to run CyberViewX in compatibility mode, and Win 10 only offers that back to Windows Vista.

I can select WinXP (or Me or 98 or 95) as a compatibility mode choice under Win10. It doesn't help, presumably because the executable is not the issue - the driver is the issue.

It indeed shocks me that PIE/B&H are selling a product which only works with an "antique" computer. And an EXPENSIVE product, which only works with an "antique" computer.

 

[cptrios]

I'm thinking your best courses of action are a) return and get a Plustek 120, or b) buy an old laptop off of eBay. Alternatively, the old Minolta 120 scanners go for $600-800.

 

[KatManDEW]

I'm thinking your best courses of action are a) return and get a Plustek 120, or b) buy an old laptop off of eBay. Alternatively, the old Minolta 120 scanners go for $600-800.

Does anyone sell new Plustek 120's? Do they for sure work with Win 10? How about Win 10 with the Minolta 120? What do you think about a Nikon Super Coolscan 9000 from EBay? Would one of those work with Win 10?

I don't like what I've read about the Plustek 120 focus. I think the PF120 is probably the same. And if the Plustek 120 film holders are like the PF120 the 120 film does not lay flat, which I think could be a big problem.

 

[Overrank]

I'm thinking your best courses of action are a) return and get a Plustek 120, or b) buy an old laptop off of eBay. Alternatively, the old Minolta 120 scanners go for $600-800.

Does anyone sell new Plustek 120's? Do they for sure work with Win 10? How about Win 10 with the Minolta 120? What do you think about a Nikon Super Coolscan 9000 from EBay? Would one of those work with Win 10?

I don't like what I've read about the Plustek 120 focus. I think the PF120 is probably the same. And if the Plustek 120 film holders are like the PF120 the 120 film does not lay flat, which I think could be a big problem.

Do you need the 120 scanning with the same scanner as 135 ? I use a V550 (same as V600) for 120, and a Plustek 8200i for 135.

There are other 120 scanners available. Someone mentioned a few months ago the Polaroid Sprintscan 120 which seemed to get pretty good reviews when it was new. But with old scanners it’s all about the drivers ( I have a Canon FS4000 that I have to use USB1 because W10 doesn’t support the SCSI card I have for it).

 

[cptrios]

I'm thinking your best courses of action are a) return and get a Plustek 120, or b) buy an old laptop off of eBay. Alternatively, the old Minolta 120 scanners go for $600-800.

Does anyone sell new Plustek 120's? Do they for sure work with Win 10? How about Win 10 with the Minolta 120? What do you think about a Nikon Super Coolscan 9000 from EBay? Would one of those work with Win 10?

I don't like what I've read about the Plustek 120 focus. I think the PF120 is probably the same. And if the Plustek 120 film holders are like the PF120 the 120 film does not lay flat, which I think could be a big problem.

I don't really know the answer to any of those! I had thought I read someone on here talking about buying a Plustek 120 recently, but I certainly can't find any new ones available. The Coolscan is the best option, but good ones are seriously expensive and the idea of spending that much money on something so long out-of-production makes me nervous.

You could, of course, camera scan. It's fiddly, and maybe not worth the trouble if you're only doing 135 - if you already have a camera and macro lens, expect to pay at least $150 or so to get yourself set up, and potentially a lot more if you want "nice" stuff. With decent 135 scanners costing $300-400, the cost/convenience factors are pretty blurry. But I do think it makes sense if you're scanning 120, considering how much more expensive those scanners are. Viewed at 100%, results are much better than a flatbed, too. Here's a shot from my old NEX-7.

By the way, I don't presume you don't already know all of this! To be perfectly honest, I'd much rather have a Coolscan 9000 than continue camera scanning, so if you've got the resources for it then why not!

 

[Overrank]

I'm thinking your best courses of action are a) return and get a Plustek 120, or b) buy an old laptop off of eBay. Alternatively, the old Minolta 120 scanners go for $600-800.

Does anyone sell new Plustek 120's? Do they for sure work with Win 10? How about Win 10 with the Minolta 120? What do you think about a Nikon Super Coolscan 9000 from EBay? Would one of those work with Win 10?

I don't like what I've read about the Plustek 120 focus. I think the PF120 is probably the same. And if the Plustek 120 film holders are like the PF120 the 120 film does not lay flat, which I think could be a big problem.

Park Cameras in the U.K. have Plustek 120 Pro them for sale with an estimated availability date of the 19th of March ( https://www.parkcameras.com/shop/plustek-opticfilm-120-pro-film-scanner_9217262e ). I have bought out-of-stock things from Park in the past and they have arrived (although they were delayed a bit), so I would guess there must be more Plusteks being delivered. The Plustek is £2,000, Coolscans 9000s are available on eBay for similar money.

 

[fpapp]

The Coolscan is the best option, but good ones are seriously expensive and the idea of spending that much money on something so long out-of-production makes me nervous.

I recently purchased a refurbished Coolscan 9000ED with one year warranty! It is an amazing machine, the amount of detail it can pull out of even a 110 negative is absolutely amazing!

Frank is the Coolscan expert, he repairs and sells them! https://www.ebay.com/usr/nikon_coolscan

 

[KatManDEW]

After some discussion with Ed Hamrick from Vuescan, I came to the conclusion that the Pacific Image PF120 was non functional and I returned it.

 

[Tomm111]

I bit the bullet and purchased a Pacific Image PF120 from B&H. I cannot get any software to communicate with it, using Vuescan, which works fine with my Minolta Dimage scanner, or with the CyberViewX software that is available for use with the scanner. I've tried three different computers, two of which are laptops which have no other USB devices connected to them.

It shows up in Control Panel as "120 Film Scanner". Opening it in Control Panel appears to have the capability to scan from right there, but I also cannot preview or scan from there.
Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Did I get a unit that's DOA?

Sometimes with scanners, you have to load the drivers,reboot and install the software. Alternatively, download Silverfast, assuming it does support the scanner

Silverfast supposedly works with the PF120, but Silverfast also requires the "drivers" which are bundled and installed with CyberViewX. And those "drivers" appear to be the problem.
I know that my Minolta Dimage Scan Elite 5400 sopped working with Windows 7 because Win 7 dropped support for the TWAIN interface. Fortunately purchasing Vuescan got my Minolta working with Windows 10.

What does B&H have to say or Pacific Image. Has to be a workaround. Was this used from B&H? I would send it back if neither of the companies has anything to say.

 

[sybersitizen]

What does B&H have to say or Pacific Image. Has to be a workaround. Was this used from B&H? I would send it back if neither of the companies has anything to say.

Look at the post preceding yours, from 17 hours ago:

'After some discussion with Ed Hamrick from Vuescan, I came to the conclusion that the Pacific Image PF120 was non functional and I returned it.'