The Plustek OpticFilm 120, a brand new dedicated desktop film scanner that handles both 35mm and medium format, is now available to pre-order in the UK. Sold by WEX Photographic, the OpticFilm 120 from Plustek supports roll film frame sizes from 6x4.5 to 6x12cm and sells for £1999. Core features include a highly sensitive colour CCD and stepper motor delivering a maximum resolution of 10,660ppi, an 8-element glass lens for sharp scans, an infra-red channel for dust and scratch detection, motorised film transport for automated batch scanning, and an innovative folding rear cover that reduces the size of the scanner to save desktop space and prevent dust from entering the device. The scope of delivery includes holders for 35mm and medium-format film strips - including a patent-pending adjustable pitch 120/220mm film holder that holds the film flat -, as well as mounted slides. The Plustek OpticFilm 120 comes bundled with SilverFast Ai Studio 8.

Special thanks to our reader Mark Naftel for calling our attention to this piece of news.

Plustek is set to release a brand new high-end desktop film scanner that will handle both 35mm and medium-format negatives and transparencies. Although the full list of specifications has not been released yet, the Plustek OpticFilm 120 will definitely feature an automatic film advance mechanism, high-quality scanner optics and newly designed film holders that should be able to keep the film strips perfectly flat. Other highlights include multi-sampling, multi-exposure and and an infrared channel that helps with the identification and automated removal of dust marks. Capable of scanning both 35mm and medium format up to a frame size of 6x12cm, the Plustek OpticFilm 120 will come bundled with an IT8 colour calibration target and SilverFast Ai Studio 8 software. The scanner is going to be on display at CeBIT 2012, held in Hannover, Germany, from 6-10 March. Pricing, exact availability and full specifications - including resolution and dMax - have yet to be communicated.

Update: According to a German-language press release published on the Plustek website, the OpticFilm 120 boasts an 8-layer [perhaps 8-element?] lens and a scanning resolution of up to 10,660dpi. Click through / scroll down for a rough translation.

Plustek has announced the OpticFilm 8100 and 8200i SE/Ai 35mm film scanners. Featuring identical hardware as the existing OpticFilm 7400 and 7600i models, respectively, the Plustek OpticFilm 8100 and 8200i offer an optical resolution of 7200dpi, a low-power LED light source, multi-sampling and multi-exposure capabilities; with the 8200i model also boasting infrared scanning technology to combat dust and scratches. What differentiates the OpticFilm 8xxx models from the older range is that they come with Version 8 of LaserSoft Imaging’s acclaimed SilverFast scanning software. As before, the SE and Ai designations indicate which SilverFast edition comes bundled with the scanner (SilverFast Ai Studio is more complex and feature-packed than SilverFast SE). Additionally, the Plustek OpticFilm 8200i Ai scanner ships with an IT8 colour calibration target, which is not included with the other two models. The OpticFilm 8100 - which does not feature infrared scanning - is available for £219.99, the OpticFilm 8200i SE for £299.99, and the OpticFilm 8200i Ai for £439.99.

The Rollei PDF-S 330 Pro and PDF-S 390 Pro.allow you to digitise your 35mm and medium-format transparencies and negatives quickly and easily. Equipped with a 9-megapixel area-array sensor, each scanner comes complete with holders for loose strips of 135 and 120 format film, as well as a holder for 4 mounted 35mm slides. Additionally, the Rollei PDF-S 330 Pro can also be used to digitise prints of up to 10x15cm (4x6”). Both scanners feature Rollei’s Magic Touch technology for dust and scratch removal and both come equipped with 2.7” colour displays and SD/SDHC memory card slots. The recommended retail price is €329.95 for the Rollei PDF-S 330 Pro and €289.95 for the PDF-S 390 Pro.

Kenro, the UK distributor of Reflecta products, has announced that the Reflecta MidFormat Scan MF5000 - a new 3200dpi scanner that handles both 35mm and medium-format film - is now available for purchase. As the first dual-format film scanner to hit the market in years, the Reflecta MidFormat Scan MF5000 is an interesting product for anyone who shoots film, particularly medium format. Mains powered, the scanner is connected via USB 2.0 to a computer, and will scan almost any format on 120 and 220 film, including 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9 and 6x12cm (but excluding the panoramic 6x17mm format). Featuring a dMax of 3.6, the Reflecta Midformat Scan MF5000 sells for £2,250 and comes complete with power adapter, Cyberview X scan software, Adobe Photoshop Elements 9, holder for four framed slides, holder for 35mm film strips with up to six frames, medium format holder accommodating one or two frames depending on frame size, and full user instructions.

The Honestech Film Scan&Save is a 35mm film scanner with a 5-megapixel area-array sensor. Featuring 32 megabytes of internal memory, an SD card slot and a built-in preview screen, the Honestech Film Scan&Save can be used as a standalone device, but can also be hooked up to a computer via USB. The scanner is available at £79.99 from PC World and Amazon.

Epson has introduced the Epson Stylus NX430, an all-in-one printer-copier-scanner that is the first model in the company’s new Small-in-One range. The space-saving, ultra-compact Epson NX430 can print up to A4 size and comes complete with a 2.5” colour LCD touch panel. Other highlights include 4-colour (CMYK) drop-on-demand MicroPiezo inkjet technology, 1200dpi optical scanner resolution, and Wi-Fi connectivity. “Consumers will be amazed with the compact size and powerful performance of the Epson Stylus NX430,” said Kristi Lanzit, product manager, Consumer Ink Jets, Epson America, Inc. “The name Small-in-One says it all; no other printer offers such great performance in a small size – guaranteed.” The first Epson Small-in-One is available for $99.99 in the US.

In the UK, the device is marketed under the name Epson Stylus SX445W Small-in-One and carries a recommended retail price of £99.99.

Kenro has announced the UK launch of a new photo digitising device called the Reflecta Imagebox LCD9. Equipped with a 9-megapixel area-array sensor, the Reflecta Imagebox LCD9 is claimed to deliver a resolution comparable to a 2400ppi scan from 35mm film. In addition to digitising slides and negatives, the Reflecta Imagebox can also scan prints of up to 6x4 inches. The unit can be operated independently from a computer, and comes with a dust and scratch removal system based on infrared technology (available for negatives and transparencies, but not prints). The device comes with a holder for 4 mounted slides, another holder for loose film strips of up to 6 frames, power adaptor, USB cable, TV cable and user manual for a recommended retail price of £280.

Epson has just introduced the Epson Artisan 837 ($299.99) and Artisan 730 ($199.99) wireless all-in-one printers for photo enthusiasts. The company claims that the Epson Artisan 837 and Artisan 730 deliver the world’s fastest 4”x6” photo print speeds of any inkjet photo all-in-one priced at $299 or less.  Both models allow users to print from any room in the house with built-in wireless and Ethernet networking, and both. offer Epson Connect for hassle-free printing on the go. With Epson Connect, mobile device users can print photos and documents directly from compatible tablets, smart phones and other mobile devices. Both devices are capable of scanning and copying reflective media such as documents and prints. The difference between the two models is that the flagship Epson Artisan 837 also offers high-speed colour copying and faxing with a 30-page automatic document feeder.

Hama has just announced a new scanner that allows users to quickly digitise their 10x15cm or smaller prints as well as their collection of negatives. The Hama “Combo” Photo Scanner scans a 10x15cm print in five seconds at 300ppi, and is able to digitise a film strip of six frames in ten seconds at 1200ppi. The resulting digital photos can then be transferred to a PC or digital photo frame, or saved to SD memory cards or Memory Sticks. The suggested retail price of the Hama “Combo” Photo Scanner is €89. The product will be on display at the IFA trade show in Berlin.

Plustek has announced its partnership with Luxipics that allows Plustek OpticFilm 7600i SE and OpticFilm 7600i Ai scanner customers to create and personalise a fully-hosted portfolio website for £49.99 for a whole year (normally £79.99). Those who purchase a Plustek OpticFilm 7600i SE or OpticFilm 7600i Ai 35mm film scanner will find a voucher inside the product box entitling them to the £30 discount. The offer is valid on purchases made in the UK only and ends June 2012, although the voucher codes will expire in June 2013. To create a website, users simply have to enter the Plustek voucher code during the Luxipics’ sign-up process.

The Reflecta ProScan 7200 is a new super-fast CCD scanner. The ProScan 7200 scans slides and negatives with optical resolutions as high as 3600 dpi, and optical density of 3.8 Dmax, in just 1 minute 35 seconds for a colour scan with 3600 dpi and 48 bit colour depth. The scanner comes supplied with holders for four mounted 35mm slides up to 3.2mm thick and film strips up to six exposures. The unit also comes with Photoshop Elements and Reflecta’s in-house scanning software, Cyberview X. The ProScan 7200 is available now with an RRP of £449.99.

Kenro has announced the UK launch of the Reflecta x4plus-Scan film scanner. The x4plus-Scan features a nine-megapixel area-array CMOS image sensor which utilises Instant Photo Capture technology (as in a digital camera) for quick digitisation of 110 and 135 format negatives and slides. This new addition to the Reflecta range features a 2.4” LCD display, an integrated SD/SDHC card slot and a lithium battery that allows the scanner to be used independently from a computer or power supply. The scanner comes supplied with film holders for three framed slides up to 3.2mm thick, film strips up to six exposures and for 110mm film strips up to eight exposures. The Reflecta x4plus-Scan is available now with an RRP of £160.

The Reflecta x6 TouchScan is a new device for digitising 135 and 110 format film. Equipped with a nine-megapixel area-array CMOS sensor, a 2.8” colour screen and an SD card slot, the Reflecta x6 TouchScan works without being connected to a computer. The scanner can run on a Lithium-ion battery but can also draw power from an AC outlet. The scope of delivery includes the device itself, a holder for three framed 35mm slides up to 3.2mm thick, another holder for loose film strips of up to six frames, a third holder for up to eight frames of 110 (pocket) format film, an USB cable, an AC adapter, a rechargeable battery and a TV-Out cable. The price of the Reflecta x6 TouchScan is €159 including 19% German VAT.

Website: Reflecta

Rollei has announced two new film and photo scanners. Featuring 9-megapixel area-array sensors, both models are extremely fast in use, requiring only one second to digitise a slide. Offering one-touch scanning and SD card compatibility, the Rollei DF-S 290 HD (€199.95) offers is supplied with a carriage for mounted slides and negatives, a slide magazine, a cleaning brush, HDMI, USB and AV cables as well as a power adapter. The scanner has an HDMI out port that allows users to view their freshly digitised images on an HDTV. The Rollei PDF-S 300 Pro (€249.00, pictured) additionally allows users to scan prints of up to 10x15cm, and comes with a dust- and scratch removal function (though it lacks the HDMI connectivity of the DF-S290 HD).

Two Epson printers and an Epson scanner received TIPA awards this year. The Epson Stylus Photo R3000 won the title, “Best Expert Photo Printer”, the Epson Stylus Pro 4900 was announced the “Best Large Format Printer”, while the “Best Photo Scanner” award has been scooped up by the Epson Perfection V330 Photo (pictured).

Kenro has been named the UK and Ireland distributor for Reflecta. Formed in 1967 in Nuremburg, Reflecta produces a wide range of film and slide scanners, from a simple entry level unit costing around the £60 mark, right up to a high-end model at over £1,100. Kenro will be marketing the full selection, together with many other products in the Reflecta range including digital microscopes, endoscopes, video and studio lights, USB record players plus a selection of slide projectors.

The Rollei DF-S 120 SE film scanner is the smaller brother of the DF-S 190 SE, also announced today. The resolution of its 5-megapixel area-array sensor is broadly equivalent to that of a traditional 1800dpi film scanner, but its speed is much higher. Equipped with a fixed-focus lens and a 2.4-inch colour TFT LCD screen, the Rollei DF-S 120 SE will be available from the end of August 2010, priced at €99.95.

The Rollei DF-S 190 SE is a new film scanner with a 9-megapixel area-array sensor and a 2.4” display. In addition to colour negatives and loose slides, the Rollei DF-S 190 SE can also scan framed slides. Thanks to its special scanning tray, it can digitise up to 20 slides per minute. The digitised photos can be saved on an SD memory card or USB flash drive, or transferred directly to a PC or Mac. Available from the end of August 2010 via specialist retailers, the Rollei DF-S 190 SE is priced at €149.95.

The Plustek SmartPhoto P60 is a compact and easy-to-use photo scanner designed to digitise 4x6-inch prints quickly and effortlessly. This 600dpi scanner offers one-button operation and scanning times as low as 18 seconds per print (at 100dpi). Compatible with both Macs and PCs, the Plustek SmartPhoto P60 photo scanner draws power from the computer via USB, alleviating the need for an extra mains socket. Measuring 2.3“x6.9"x1.5” and weighing approximately 0.4lbs, the Smart Photo P60 is available now from Plustek itself.