LaserSoft Imaging

I have a Microtek ArtixScan 120tf medium format film scanner which has an optional glass film carrier with an image area of appox. 6x24cm. However, there appears to be no way to create an overview of the entire film carrier and then draw a scan window for panoramic formats such as 6x12, 6x17 or larger.

Since I shoot many panoramic images in these formats, I would very much like to scan them on this scanner rather than send them out or use my Epson V750 which gives inferior scans to the ArtixScan 120tf.

An option to scan beyond the current 6x9cm limitation of this scanner would be a dream come true for me and I think it would make the prescan process easier and less time consuming for everyone since there would be no need to make repeated prescans when the frame edges don't line up perfectly the first time (which is almost always in my experience).

Thanks.

Since I posted this question four months ago, 667 users have been interested enough to read it yet no one from LaserSoft has found it worthwhile to respond. I would just like to know if this is a limitation of the hardware or can the software be changed to provide for scanning medium format panoramic images?

Hi Frank, i have this scanner and holder too, and i would apreciate such a more flexible frame-handling too. At the moment i have no panoramic, because all are in 6x7-format. But who knows? And sometimes frame is out of border and everything must be realigned. Selection 6x4.5, 6x6 or 6x7 would be obsolete too.

Thanks for your reply Johannes. Your point is very valid. The prescan process on this scanner with SilverFast usually requires multiple tries to get the scan area aligned with the film frames. A simple overview with the ability to draw the scan area would reduce the time needed to make *any* scan, plus create the option of scanning panoramic formats.

What I have not been able to determine is whether the hardware can support this. My inquiries to Microtek have been met with similar disinterest as with LaserSoft.

yes, that would be interesting to know. it looks like, that each holder has a fixed subset of formats supported in hardware. As i remember Microtek's own software "ScanWizard Pro" also does'nt support Panorama or any free format.

maybe an image-application using TWAIN-Standard to import scans could clarify that or other scan-software like v**s**n. don't know.

I am a programmer, but i never spend time to write a programm to control a film-scanner. then i would see, what functionality to Programmer's Interface (API) offer.

Johannes,

you are correct, each holder is identified by the scanner through the barcode on the holder. The firmware of the scanner will then offer a fixed subset of formats accoding to the barcode. These formats are defined by the firmware of the scanner and we have no influence on this. We can simply accept the fixed subsets.

I will contact Microtek with this request and and see whether it is possible to offer more 120 panoramic formats.

Please note there is a 35mm panoramic holder available for scanning 24x65 mm panoramics (Hasselblad X-pan I/II or Fuji TX-1/2) which will be identified correctly by SilverFast.

Best,

JAN

Jan,
Thank you very much for your interest in this issue. I hope you have better luck than I have had in generating a positive response from Microtek.

I don't know much about the inner mechanical workings of this scanner, but it seems to me that since the film carrier moves through the scanner during the scan process, there should be no practical limit to the length of the scan other than the length of the carrier.

I'm well aware that the 24x65mm format is supported, since this format is included in the standard 35mm film carrier. However, I don't shoot this format and have a significant investment in equipment for 6x12cm and the Roundshot which can expose up to an entire roll of 120 film in a single frame (6x72cm!), if you so desire.

Thanks again,
Frank