The New Plustek OpticFilm 8300i SE

By Hermann Groeneveld / SilvergrainClassics

Photo: Plustek Technology GmbH, Ahrensburg, Germany

At Imaging World 2025, SilvergrainClassics was treated to demonstrations of some impressive new products at the booth of scanner manufacturer Plustek and software partner LaserSoft Imaging. Several scanners have undergone significant hardware upgrades that are sure to attract attention.

SilvergrainClassics will soon be testing one of the new scanners extensively in everyday use at SilvergrainLab. We will report on its findings.

Graphic: Plustek Technology GmbH, Ahrensburg, Germany

Scan Better and Faster With the New OpticFilm 8300i SE

Marketing Manager Christoph Stamer showed us the latest top model in the popular 8000 series of scanners for 35mm film and slides: “With the OpticFilm 8300i SE, we are launching a completely redesigned version of the film scanner that is popular with amateur photographers and semi-professionals. We have redesigned the mechanics and optics of the 8300i SE. This allows SilverFast SE Plus 9 to play to its strengths even better with this scanner. The dynamic range is an impressive 3.91 Dmax, which is sufficient for practically all film types. This preserves the fine shadows and bright highlights of an image“, says Stamer.

According to the manufacturer, the image sensor delivers a resolution of up to 7200 dpi, just like its predecessor, the OpticFilm 8200i SE. However, in addition to the redesign of the scanner’s optical system, there have also been some changes in terms of speed: thanks to a new algorithm and a built-in next-generation chip, Plustek claims that the scanning speed has been increased by up to 38% compared to the previous model.

In addition to Plustek’s own QuickScan Plus scanning software, the scanner bundle includes the SilverFast SE Plus 9 package. The identical scanner is sometimes available online under the name OpticFilm 8300i Ai. This version comes bundled with the more comprehensive SilverFast Ai Studio 9 software.

Automatic And Easy-to-understand Scanner Calibration

Of course, truly accurate colors when scanning are only possible after careful calibration of the device. This requires an upgrade from SilverFast SE Plus 9 to SilverFast Ai Studio 9 if you do not already own the Plustek OpticFilm 8300i Ai. A special upgrade offer awaits you at the end of this article.

The Ai Studio version supports color calibration according to ISO 12641-2 2019. To do this, the IT8 targets for Color Calibration must be purchased separately from LaserSoft Imaging. These consist of three 35 mm targets, whose numerous measuring points ensure a large, reliable database. This allows for precise color reproduction, especially with pastel tones and in the dark areas of an original. SilverFast automatically creates ICC profiles from these. The screen, printout, and original thus match perfectly, provided that consistent color management is used for all input and output devices. As we were able to see for ourselves, calibrating a scanner with SilverFast is amazingly easy.

Declaring War on Dust And Scratches in Images

The integrated infrared system of the 8300i SE works even better and more precisely thanks to the technical update of the scanner. Philipp Haarländer from LaserSoft Imaging used an impressive example to explain how quickly and accurately dust and scratches in a scanned image are detected by SilverFast and automatically removed without losing any image details. However, classic black-and-white films are excluded from this, as their silver halide layer is impervious to infrared light. For this type of original, the software-based dust and scratch removal SRDx is used, which is included in all SilverFast versions.

Graphic: Plustek Technology GmbH, Ahrensburg, Germany

For Beginners And Experts

If you just want to digitize quickly, you can use the included QuickScan Plus software. It offers export options for Photoshop, GIMP, or social media.

If you want more, use the included SilverFast SE Plus software, which offers significantly greater functionality. Particularly noteworthy are the tools for Multiple Exposure, which are so important for film scanning, the aforementioned infrared-based Dust and Scratch Removal (iSRD), and automatic Negative-Positive Conversion (NegaFix).

Despite the wide range of functions, even beginners can quickly and easily achieve their goals: “If you use the integrated workflow pilot, it guides you step by step through the scanning process so that you don’t overlook any important options when optimizing the scan results. At the same time you will learn how to use the software correctly,“ stated Philipp Haarländer.

For ambitious users, the premium version Ai Studio offers the finest control options in what is known as SilverFast Expert Mode. This mode provides numerous additional optimization options that require some familiarization due to their depth. These include the ability to capture RAW files from the scanner. The HDRi format saves the complete raw data of the film, including the infrared channel. This is ideal for later post-processing or archiving in maximum quality.

According to the manufacturer’s specifications, the 8300i Ai delivers files with up to 68.9 megapixels at full resolution. This is roughly equivalent to the results of a digital SLR camera with a full-frame sensor and is sufficient for large-format prints up to approximately 90 × 60 cm.

Photo: Hermann Groeneveld – FujiFilm Velvia 100 135
Film digitization: Plustek OpticFim 120 / SilverFast Ai Studio 9

Act Quickly to Save Money

The Plustek OpticFilm 8300i SE retails for around €450. An upgrade from SilverFast SE Plus 9 to SilverFast Ai Studio 9 can be purchased from the online store at www.silverfast.de. Exclusive tip: LaserSoft Imaging currently has a Christmas offer where you can save 25% on SilverFast software, upgrades, and IT8 targets.

A First Conclusion

We have not yet tested the new 8300i SE in practice. However, the performance data of the software and hardware package and the demonstrations at the Plustek booth at Imaging World sound convincing.

The SE Plus 9 version should be of interest to users who occasionally scan images for printing or social media, for example. And it does so in very high quality. However, if you want to archive your 35mm film archive in a way that preserves its value, with maximum data quality and durability, we recommend the advanced Ai Studio 9 version. This also allows you to use the HDRi format in your scanning workflow.

All in all, our initial assessment is that the Plustek OpticFilm 8300i SE combines state-of-the-art hardware with sophisticated software from LaserSoft Imaging, delivering an attractively priced complete solution with a high level of investment protection.

We consider the update to a popular scanner fleet to be a confidence-building measure. While numerous scanner manufacturers have already withdrawn from the market, Plustek is signaling to us that innovation is possible. A current example: Epson has discontinued the Perfection 850 Pro flatbed scanner as the company confirmed to us at Imaging World. A scanner which is popular with professionals and, according to our tests, is excellent, This is opening up a gap in the market for professionals who want to digitize large-format films and darkroom prints, for example. In our opinion, Plustek could fill this gap.

More About Plustek and LaserSoft Imaging

SilverFast ExpressScan
Part 1
Part 2
SilverFast ExpressScan: Turbocharging Your Flatbed Scanner

A personal history of film digitization
Happy Scanning With SilverFast And Plustek
A year with the Plustek OpticFilm 120

A Fresh Start and New Benefits for SilvergrainClassics Readers