Description The SprintScan 120 is a high-resolution, medium-format film scanner that produces 6 x 6cm scanned images in under two minutes. The SprintScan 120 also delivers professional quality 6 x 9 m, 6 x 7 cm, ...
Summary I've used a number of scanners over the years and this Polaroid for the last two for both 35mm & 6x7. The results are stunning. Colour accuracy, sharpness and resolution, extracting detail from shadows, low noise and up to 16x multisampling for the most difficult/dark images (seldom needed, FWIW), the scanner hardware is very capable.
As for software, I have both the Polaroid driver and Silverfast 6. The Polaroid driver is capable and VERY easy to use. The Silverfast software is even more capable with a more extensive learning curve... but worth it.
I'm extremely pleased with the scanner in spite of the fact that I bought it soon after its introduction and paid a premium price. I routinely print on 24" roll paper (lengths of up to 48" not uncommon) and the Polaroid 120 provides a digital file AMPLE for that application. 35mm images easily can be printed in poster size, too, owing to the generous file size and image quality.
With upgradeable firmware, constantly developed software from Silverfast and super image quality, this is the last film scanner I'm going to buy.
Strengths Fast firewire connection(up to 500MB file sizes transfer quickly)
Easy installation
Silverfast support (A+)
Image quality
Film handling
Ease of use
Weaknesses None
Similar Products Used Canon, Umax, HP
Customer Service Excellent from both Polaroid & Lasersoft. I had a SCSI conflict (old ISA card) that caused me fits. Polaroid & Lasersoft were responsive in helping me sort it out. A+ to both!
Summary I bought this over a year ago and it has given me trouble free scanning with excellent dynamic range, super sharp pictures on both medium format and 35mm. The software is easy to use and it produces better results than my lab does.
The Polaroid software is intuative and very easy to use. The silverfast takes more getting used to.
Can produce huge file sizes even from 35mm transparencies.
Strengths Colour accuracy, dynamic range, sharpness of images. quick, reliable.
Weaknesses None other than it is a little noisy.
Customer Service Only phoned to get advice a few times and found them very very helpfull.
Reviewed by Jeff4Photo
, Expert
, from South Pasadena
Price Paid $22489.00
at Samy's Los Angeles
Photography Experience 11-20 years
, Fine Art
Summary 1/08/03 Very high quality scans with Silverfast 6, up to 48-bit. Give yourselves 2 days to learn the Silverfast and you'll be happy with the result. SilverFast gives you much more flexibility in prescan adjustments than Poloaroid Insight v.5.6. I prefer prescan adjustments (16bit) in Silverfast Ai because it always gives better results than afterscan adjustments in photoshop (8bit). If you want afterscan adjustments in 48bit mode, get SilverFast HDR. For best result always scan at 48-bit, scale down to 8-bit later. A very well built scanner and film carriers, too bad the glass film carrier is not included. Firewire appreciated the firewire connection when moving 500mb files. Bundled with Silverfast 5.5 Ai and Silverfast 5.5 HDR which are outdated for Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar). New version of Polaroid Insight can be d/l from website. Manual is mediocore, but the hardware stuff is self-explanatory. Operating noise is loud and can be a distraction at first. Fast scan times, 6 minutes to scan 6x7 at 48bit, dust removal add 2 minutes. BTW, Silverfast Ai6 and Polaroid Insight now have dust removal feature. Despite the $65 upgrade to Silverfast Ai 6, it is worth it. I'd buy this scanner over Nikon or Minolta or Flexscan.
Strengths Fast scan time 6 minutes for 6x7, less than a minute for 35mm, firewire connection, great results, hardly any cleanup (dust removal) required. build quality, Silverfast comapatible, price. $300 rebate ended 12/31/02.
Weaknesses Polaroid Insight Software. Upgrade to a glass carrier cost $140, Silverfast Ai 6 and Silverfast HDR 6, each cost $65 online ($130). Loud operating noise. Slides that are not flat may yield less than optimal scans, therefore a glass carrier is a must. Must cut 6x7 into strips of 3. Gaps between exposures can needs manual alignment. Polaroid is not giving free upgrade to Silverfast 6.
Similar Products Used Nikon 8000ed, nikon 4000ed
Customer Service Good, free phone support at Polaroid. Silverfast has free online support which is very prompt, phone support will cost you. Presale questions are not welcome at Silverfast!
Reviewed by Jack Nadelle
, Professional
, from Los Angeles, CA
Price Paid $2300.00
at Samys
Photography Experience 21+ years
, Outdoor
Summary Great scanner, needs the glass film holder as film doesn't lie flat. I found silverfast to be incomprehensible- and I am not so stupid.
I don't feel it is as good as a a drum scan but it is a really decent scan for the price. The operators skill is very important to obtaining good scans and there is a lot to learn regardless of which software/scanner interface you choose. How and why you make certain choices will effect the quality of your scans.
Strengths good build quality, great value compared to Nikon and Minolta.
Weaknesses My rebate never came!! Still is a good machine though and I would recommend it. It is not automatic quality assured. there is a lot to learn regarding scanning techniques!
Summary I have used the SS120 for about a year and I find that it performs exactly as advertised. I scan predominately 6x7 transparencies with quite a few 35mm slides as well. No banding, no quirks. Scan times are decent - 6x7, 4000dpi, 16 bit about 10-12 minutes - and I do not have a fast computer (475 Mhz, 256 Megs). Dark noise is very, very low (one pass scanning ALWAYS) and the Silverfast is excellent. Poloroid recently introduced a dust and scratches PS plugin that works pretty well that I use 10 - 20% of the time, otherwise clean film and manual dust spotting works fine by me.
Am glad I bought the Polaroid over the Nikon 8000 (availability was an issue at the time). Would buy again today.
Strengths Fast scans
Sharp scans
Low shadow noise
Powerfull software
Weaknesses Film holder for 6x7 could be better. I modified mine to make the opening wider as it cut into the film excessively.
I bought the glass holder when it came out and no longer have this problem.
(3 views/week)
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