Pacific Image Electronics PrimeFilm PF1800U USB Film Scanner

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 had the same problem with mine...I had Lamp Failure with very few hours on the unit(around 15 hours). I had lost my sales slip so could not get any help. I would have given this unit a 5 star rating because when it was working it was a great tool. Too bad the lamp life wasnt better.

I researched 35mm slide scanning services over the Internet and found that the cost was app. $1 per slide and that was at a low resolution. I purchased the PF1800U because it was the cheapest film scanner I could find that was built for that purpose (not just a flatbed with a mirror or backlight). I have scanned app. 300 of my 2500+ slides and am very happy with the purchase. The image quality is comparable to a 1.5M pixel digital camera (the images are actually 2Mb in .jpg format), suitable for web pages or printing (I plan on making a book with mine).

I purchased this product and after it arrived I started to us it. It broke after the 2nd set of negatives. Luckly I got what I wanted in to it before it broke. The motor for the arm to move broke. The motor is to small and does not have the power to move the arm continously. I will not purchase another one. I will purchase the high dollar one with a return policy if it brakes.

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!

After reading the many negative comments, I was pleasantly surprised at the results. Much better than the flatbed and transparency adapter that Id been using. Good sharpness. Only 1800 dpi, but thats more than adequate for web-work. Tried it with both slides and negatives - color balance required only minor adjustment. No grinding sounds. For what its worth, Im using the current TWAIN driver from the website, and did not install anything from the CD. If you decide to buy one - just make sure that the price is favorable, because there is much better gear available.

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.

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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).

The first Pacific Image Electronics PrimeFilm PF1800U USB Film Scanner I received was damaged and would not work at all. I returned it and was sent another as a replacement. The scans from this scanner are terrible. This thing is junk. I returned the second PF1800U scanner and purchased a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual IV. It cost a little more but was well worth it. The Minolta is wonderful I have scanned close to 9000 slides with it and have had no problems.