Pacific Image Electronics PrimeFilm PF1800U USB Film Scanner

Bought it to bring my pictures into the 21st century. Still have it in case I stumble across more old negatives. (Id sell it, though).

I have purchased two PF1800Us over the past 18 months, because it seemed the only option in my price range and I need quality slide scans (flat bed scanners definitely not an option). Both units had lamp failure, the second one after only a couple dozen slides. Customer service is hardly an option; difficult to impossible to reach via their website and not terribly helpful over the phone. I had to locate my receipt and register the product by fax before I was allowed to ask any questions, and I still didnt get any answers. Needless to say this was terribly disappointing. On the good side, the scan quality is quite good, though the process is very slow and you may have to close down most open programs to get it to work. Interfaces well with Photoshop. Would I buy one again? While the new version with the ICE software is quite tempting, Id have to say no. Im looking for another, more reputable brand. Maybe a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III. About a hundred bucks more, but if it doesnt break down it will be well worth the extra money.

I ordered an A/C Power Supply Adapter and received a scanner without an A/C Power Supply Adapter.

Not the most practical to use. If you can save up to buy a more quality one then I would recommend you do that.

For little money the PrimeFilm PF1800U Scanner is a powerful tool. Its 1800 dpi max resolution is very good and the quality of scans is simply superb!

My experience with this scanner hasnt been much different from what others have reported. Ive owned mine for about 5 years. From the very beginning, the scanner made a grinding sound, which continued for awhile until it warmed up (while grinding, the scanning mechanism appeared not to be moving). The software which came with the scanner produced less than satisfactory results. I bought Silverfast AI, which provided excellent images from both negatives and slides, but which (unfortunately for me) is specific to this particular device and will not work with my newest (replacement) scanner. After two or three years in the closet, the 1800u scanner was used again for some additional slides and worked satisfactorily (after the usual grinding). Two weeks ago, however, I again attempted to perform some scans -- this time without success. The grinding sound never did stop. Dozens of attempted phone calls to tech support were unsuccessful (the answering machine continuously reports that the staff is out to lunch). I did email Scanace (the manufacturer), and received a reply instructing me to open the unit and apply vasaline to the screw drive and the track bar. I did so, without success. The motor (as has been said elsewhere) lacks sufficient power to drive the traveling scan head. As the unit is out-of-warranty, the manufacturer wants a minimum of $75.00 to service the scanner (more if the problem takes more than one hour to resolve). I was offered a motor to install myself for about $18.00, but without any assurance that this would resolve the problem. I estimate that I have performed about 150 scans. Including the cost of the unit and software to use it, that figures out to about $2.00/scan! Definitely not a bargain!

i had the same problem as others with this scanner. i used it for a few days and it worked great. i went to use it again a few weeks later and nothing. I manged to get a new one over the weekend and just plugged it in this am and it burned out. No more items from this company for me.

Works food, bit lacks quality and misses the ICE chip that is very importante if you are an amateur without large knowegde (or time) in to photoshop.

Its always galling when a product has poor reviews exclusively and a guest reviewer shows up proclaiming the companys virtue as only an employee can. Its obvious Pacific Image sent someone over to perform a weak attempt at spin after so many disappointing customer comments. DONT BELIEVE THEM!!! This product is poor quality compounded with weak customer support. Its ironic that all of the reviews complain about the service yet the company clearly has time to counter opinions they dont like in a poorly composed anonymous review. That employee could have been helping one of these poor people! Nikon and Minolta are two reputable companies in this field - Pacific Image is not.

I purchased this item in 2002 to scan all the 35mm negatives that I have. The only problem is that the pictures that I scan comes out all pinky or funny colors. I tried using it for awhile but the awful picture quality was really annoying that I stop using it. I recently heard from a digital graphic person recommending that you should acquire all your digital photos in RAW format. As it is uncompressed and retains all the original unmodified data that you can use any photo editing software to adjust to your liking. Before the moment I heard it from the digital graphic person, RAW means nothing to me. You might as well speak coded language to me as this RAW terminology means as much to me as the coded language I mentioned on