– Plustek OpticFilm 8300i SE - 35mm Negative Film Stripe & Slide Scanner with 38% scan speed increase, Bundle SilverFast SE Plus 9 + QuickScan Plus, Support Mac and Windows.

Purchased to scan old slides as part of a digital heritage project. The quality of the scanned slides are so good, I am truly amazed by them. It wasn't the cheapest scanner but I'm pleased that we paid more for a descent bit of kit.

I bought this scanner to replace my Nikon CoolScan V, since the software was only good for windows XP/Vista and my old PC has long gone. The scanner is very compact compared with the Nikon and all the accessories are included with the exception of a dust brush. Software is supplied on a USB stick and was easy to load on my Windows 10 PC. I like the on-screen user guidance - the SilverFast software originates in Germany and so the guidance/explanations are detailed and contain just the right amount of technical information. I also like the 2 versions of scanning - full function or quick scan, which takes the user along a pathway (runway ?) using an air travel analogy from take-off to landing with the processing steps along the journey. Very pleased so far.

This is a well built unit with versatile software and I have worked my way through hundreds of 35mm slides, some of which were damaged or faded. The results are not as contrasty as cheaper slide scanners. It does negatives, but alas, only 35, not medium format which would have been a bonus. It didn't always play well with Photoshop Elements 24 and we had some crashes, but that's more about the Photoshop. You don't really need separate editing packages if you use Silverfast properly. It did improve the scratches and eliminated dust. The process isn't the fastest and the slide holder only takes a small number, but all in all, a good piece of equipment for salvaging your treasured memories on transparencies.

......rather than the 'up to £120' devices that take a picture rather than scanning. Easy enough to use, I'm scanning 1960s Kodachrome instamatic slides. The slide holder is proper as each slide is held in by a spring loaded mechanism. Not the cheapest of devices, but solidly made. Id recommend

Expensive but well worth the cost ,does an excellent job .Have scanned over 2000 transparencies with no issues and high quality resolution images. Very happy with the results.

The scanner is very good, the software has problems. After 4 weeks I have still not got the SilverFast working. During registration the email verification process didn't work. I contacted support and eventually got a reply that fixed that problem but the next stage of receiving a licence for the product didn't work. I contacted support again but so far zero response. Simple scan works, but a dark image showed as completely black. After much trial and error I found that clicking the white balance button (!?) brought out a good image from the blackness. So I can scan slides but as they are old there are issues I really want to fix but so far can't

1300si film scanner. I have now put about 50 slides though the scanner using the simpler of the two software packages. I am reasonably happy with the results. Many of the slides are technical in content and were a challenge to photograph and no scanner can improve a marginal original. The speed is just acceptable and the auto-exposure and auto-balance options actually make an improvement (surprisingly). It's not without it's vices, on some very awkward slides it crops areas that are totally black. Probably the more advanced software would not but I have a deadline to meet and the results from the simple package are better than expected. I have printed a difficult technical slide at A3 and the result is as good as the slide seen in a slide viewer. That seems to be a fair test. I have yet to scan less awkward slides. In the past I have used scanners that are superior but sadly they are no longer supported. So this seems to be the best that is readily available. The slideholder breaks with tradition and is a far better design. The slides fit in the holder in much the same way that you fit a AA battery into a gadget, tuck one end in, push against a spring and push the other end down. (Instructions provided) Each slide has its own spring biased holster which is far quicker than the hinged type holder where you have to position 4 slides before closing the hinged gate and engaging the friction catch. (ugh!) The unit is designed in Germany. It makes a discrete purr whilst in operation. Treat yourself to additional carriers to increase throughout.

I have had this scanner for 24 hours and I have to say that it is the worst one I have ever seen. The colours are appalling and the software is utterly useless. I have many scanners over the years but my very large Epson was taking too much space so I thought this would be good. I will be returning it tomorrow. If it had been a cheapo I'd have just put it aside or given it to a charity shop but at nearly £400.00 ...na, it's going back.