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Plustek Technology Inc., a manufacturer of consumer, prosumer and professional imaging devices, today announced an extension to their award-winning OpticFilm line of scanners. The new models include the OpticFilm 7300, the OpticFilm 7500i SE and the OpticFilm 7500i AI. These consumer scanners are designed to take existing slides and convert them (using professional-grade resolution) into brilliant, high-quality digital images – ideal for home users as well as photographers and small office/workshops.

Improvements over previous models include a new four-scan multi-sampling and multi-exposure engine designed to replicate every nuance of a slide image in exquisite detail. In addition, the 7500i models take image quality a step further by incorporating SilverFast’s Infrared Smart Removal of Defects (iSRD) technology, providing an additional infrared scanning channel, on top of the standard scan channels, to remove any defects on the surface of the film in the scanned image. A high-tech hardware enhancement, the SilverFast iSRD automatically eliminates the appearance of grime and visually fills in scratches for near-perfect scans. The premier model, the OpticFilm 7500i AI also includes 35mm IT8 calibration for the ultimate in professional results. The OpticFilm 7300 is priced at $289 with the OpticFilm 7500i SE and 7500i AI priced at $399 and $589, respectively.

Powered by high-speed USB 2.0, the OpticFilm models are among the highest resolution film scanners on the market (7200x7200 dpi) in a consumer device. At this resolution and speed even the smallest slide details are scanned with brilliant quality and the built-in iSRD (in the 7500i models) allows for unprecedented professional quality – at home or in the office. The scanners are able to generate an uncompressed picture file (48-bit color depth) that is 800 MB or larger or equal to about a 75-megapixel resolution digital camera (to match traditional 135mm film quality, a "digital camera needs at least 24-mega-pixel CCD capability" according to Erwin Puts, The Missing Link Between Digital and Analog).

Sales/Purchase The new OpticFilm models will be available in April. Plustek products can be purchased through their distribution channel via D&H, Ingram Micro, and other major DMRs and e-tailers such as PC Mall, NewEgg, Tiger Direct, Amazon and Buy.com.