# Slide Duplicator VS Plustek 8200i or…? (Help with decision) **URL:** \ **Category:** Digital Camera Scanning\ **Created:** [January 7, 2021, 8:13pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/slide-duplicator-vs-plustek-8200i-or-help-with-decision/3149 "2021-01-07T20:13:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MA\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MA\_S](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/MA_S)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2021, 8:13pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/slide-duplicator-vs-plustek-8200i-or-help-with-decision/3149/1 "2021-01-07T20:13:40Z")
Dear swarm-intelligence, I was hoping to get some advice from you on the following topic: Recently I got a hold of a very nice/cute Agfa Optima 1535 in perfect working condition. It is the first 35mm camera that I genuinely bought (put aside the ones I “inherited” or found or what not…) as my plan was to get a tiny-tiny camera with a pleasing quality for everyday use for around 50€. I was very happy that the first 2 testrolls I shot through didn’t disappoint me at all! It’s a great camera and I’m very happy with the results. I want to use the camera exclusively for b&w and my goal is to also start developing at home. The test rolls were developed by my local lab. It was 1 HP+ (shot at 200/ dev. Ilfotec) and 1 APX100 (shot at box speed/dev. Rodinal). So now to my questions: I digitized them with my Fuji XH-1/Canon FD 50mm Macro/copy stand setup that I use for my medium format process. I’m not a big fan of this particular process, as my apartment is super small and I have to set everything up and stow away after done using. So ultimately I think I want to get rid of “dsrl” scanning (especially for mf). But please discard the medium format for now… So for 35mm I thought about how to optimize my setup and get the most IQ out of the negatives and have a more convenient/economical output… my two ideas were: let’s either get the **Plustek 8200i** or try it with a **Slide Duplicator (NIKON ES-2, KAISER)**. I’ve read and seen good things from the Plustek, but I’m aware that it’ll take more time. The question here I guess is: Will the bump in IQ justify the time/money spent on this machine vs. my existing setup??? And for the slide copier I’m a bit unsure… in a way it seems to be super easy, but I haven’t figured yet out what will work for APS-C and if it’s the best solution for me. Maybe some of you are using a slide copier on an APS-C camera and can recommend either of the two? Apparently it’s better to use a full-frame camera with some of them for 1:1 reproduction – at least that’s what I read for the older ones on ebay and such. Also: Would I need extension rings for my 50mm macro to get closer?!? Because they might get compressed here…I’ve also put 4 frames of each roll in my dropbox for you to judge (full size jpgs). They were converted with NLP (LAB – Shadow Hard) and some minor adjustments for shadows/hightlights. > **[Agfa\_Optima\_1535](https://www.dropbox.com/sh/73j7nmglboj0jhe/AADZ0LIr1wkOJyR1PNs4MUNDa?dl=0)** > > Shared with Dropbox I’d really appreciate your feedback on my thoughts/questions. Thx in advance, Marcus ![DSF9382](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/negativelabpro/original/2X/7/7d0d0ac73ca4fe222bf3da00b89bc8d219b7913d.jpeg) ![DSF9393](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/negativelabpro/original/2X/e/e634265974ee13ece49c8cb7800d268a999d63d8.jpeg) ![DSF9398](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/negativelabpro/original/2X/6/64f4307bfddba2362480eb09f3a921961fc6f41e.jpeg) ![DSF9410](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/negativelabpro/original/2X/6/6eb3078e28a0c3e8512df6a38874bf3dce17dadc.jpeg) ![DSF9419](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/negativelabpro/original/2X/6/6ee60dc748e2630488769486235ac1ee22a9c2ea.jpeg) ![DSF9437](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/negativelabpro/original/2X/7/7c71d399662652ec50975eb4951aeb596b9af392.jpeg) ![DSF9440](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/negativelabpro/original/2X/7/73b4b2e4d51ab19e9d495f111ed95035116ff8a3.jpeg) ![DSF9441](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/negativelabpro/original/2X/8/86085829d40351e53dcca8d2e3c720fd9accfd27.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![FatihAyoglu](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forums.negativelabpro.com/fatihayoglu/32/850_2.png) [@FatihAyoglu](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/FatihAyoglu)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2021, 9:40pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/slide-duplicator-vs-plustek-8200i-or-help-with-decision/3149/2 "2021-01-07T21:40:48Z")
I use ES2 with FF Nikon and as for speed I don’t think any scanner can be faster than that. In 10 mins, I can scan 36/38 frames and convert them. With a scanner it’s much longer. The only downside is, it doesnt do dust/scratch correction. I don’t think, you can get much better results with a scanner, as long as it is not CoolScan9000 or drum (for 35mm only). ---
**Author:** ![JayElDee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@JayElDee](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/JayElDee)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 5:11pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/slide-duplicator-vs-plustek-8200i-or-help-with-decision/3149/3 "2021-01-09T17:11:42Z")
Just an FYI, the Nikon ES-2 seems to be back-ordered world-wide as has been so for months–even Nikon doesn’t have them. I have seen them for sale on EBAY for over 2x the price at photo houses (in the USA that is $140 ish). In addition look at what your setup would be if you used the ES-2; it has some specific requirements to make it work. BTW, I have been on the list for one at B&H in New York for a couple of months. ---
**Author:** ![MA\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MA\_S](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/MA_S)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 6:37pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/slide-duplicator-vs-plustek-8200i-or-help-with-decision/3149/4 "2021-01-09T18:37:37Z")
Hey Fatih, thx for you response. Yes, the time factor is very tempting, even though I used a less convient setup than the ES-1 I got it done under one hour for 2 rolls (NLP included). Dust and scratch removal would be nice, but that’s normally done rather quick. ---
**Author:** ![MA\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MA\_S](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/MA_S)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2021, 7:22pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/slide-duplicator-vs-plustek-8200i-or-help-with-decision/3149/5 "2021-01-09T19:22:45Z")
Over here in Germany there are plenty ES-2’s available via webshops… I ordered the Kaiser one below, it’s half the price and seems promising. Apparently it works on APS-C with focal lenghts between 50–80mm (80–120 on FF). There is a macro lens inside that you can take out… Let’s see how it’ll perform. ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/negativelabpro/original/2X/7/770340da4f5d4fb6d5ce1c73bb8f41675b629db8.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![JayElDee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@JayElDee](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/JayElDee)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 7:34pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/slide-duplicator-vs-plustek-8200i-or-help-with-decision/3149/6 "2021-01-10T19:34:20Z")
Thanks for the info…do you have any links to the websites that offer the ES-2? If there is an English translated option, that’s better. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![jlw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@jlw](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/jlw)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 5:08pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/slide-duplicator-vs-plustek-8200i-or-help-with-decision/3149/7 "2021-01-12T17:08:57Z")
Note that dust and scratch removal won’t work on conventional silver-based black-and-white films, only on dye-based C41 and slide films… so presence or absence of that feature may not even be an issue for you, depending on which films you decide you prefer. ---
**Author:** ![Panatomic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@Panatomic](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/Panatomic)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 8:32pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/slide-duplicator-vs-plustek-8200i-or-help-with-decision/3149/8 "2021-01-12T20:32:05Z")
Hi Marcus, you can get good results either way. I have a film scanner equivalent to the Plustek 8200. I got an ES-2 and worked out a good light source (Nanguang CN-T96) and since then the scanner has gathered dust. After post processing, I can’t tell most images apart from the two methods. I like dslr capture because I can individually adjust exposure as necessary for each image to get ideal histograms, helps rescue negatives that weren’t perfectly exposed. The overall workflow is a little faster with dslr but start to finish it’s not a huge difference. DSLR capture does a better job rendering deep shadows. I also think film scanners exaggerate grain. If you use an ES-2 with APS-C sensor Nikon camera it’s easy, just get the Nikkor AF-S 40mm macro lens. For FF sensor, the 60mm macro; AF-S or D. Good examples of both lenses are available on Ebay for reasonable prices if you don’t want to buy new. If you are space-constrained, the scanner might be a little easier. I’ve tried Silverfast but prefer Vuescan for scanning. For dslr captures of color slides, I prefer Lightroom; for color negatives I like Negative Lab Pro a LOT, and for BW it’s a tossup between NLP, Lightroom, or FastStone which includes a very nice “negative” button.