Plustek OpticFilm 135i

By Marwan El Mozayen and Hermann Groeneveld / SilvergrainClassics

A high-end entry-level scanner, the Plustek OpticFilm 135i 35mm (left).
Next to it is the top-of-the-line model for medium format and 35mm film, the Plustek OpticFilm 120.
High-quality film holders for various formats are included with both scanners.
They are among the best on the market and ensure that the film lies perfectly flat.

Old Favorites With a New Lease On Life

Plustek Technology, headquartered in Taiwan and with an active branch office in Ahrensburg, has long recognized the signs of the times: We are currently witnessing a renaissance in analog photography. Thankfully, Plustek is helping to drive this positive trend forward with modest updates to its existing line of scanners. Sometimes they’re practically old acquaintances that look almost identical to their predecessors. The OpticFilm 135i (OF 135i), which we’re discussing here, is a case in point. As unassuming as this new version of Plustek’s classic model may seem, it’s actually a completely redesigned product in terms of key components, particularly the optical system. According to the manufacturer, thanks to a newly developed five-element aspherical lens, the scanner is designed to deliver razor-sharp, blur-free scans with high sharpness all the way to the edges of the image. Its improved stability is said to enable even more precise removal of dust and scratches in the infrared range. According to the manufacturer, this advanced lens technology benefits the technically demanding digitization of panoramic films in the 35mm film format. And the OF 135i is said to have significantly increased its scanning speed compared to its predecessor. For us at the SilvergrainClassics team, this was reason enough to put Plustek’s announcements to the test. Following our in-depth review of the OpticFilm 120 – designed to meet the highest standards in medium format – we wanted to see how its smaller counterpart for 35mm film performs in everyday use and what its strengths are.

Quick Scanning Without Time-consuming Training

The Plustek OF135i is a true film scanner, though clearly designed for 35mm film. And that’s exactly where it shines. The OF135i isn’t intended for professional archivists. In its standard configuration, which includes Plustek’s QuickScan Plus software, it’s aimed at photographers who:

• want to get results quickly,
• want to easily digitize slides and negatives,
• rely on reliable results without time-consuming training,
• want to reuse their images right away or share them on social media.

Plustek’s proprietary QuickScan Plus software is particularly well-suited for these purposes. It streamlines the workflow to the essentials and delivers surprisingly good results with minimal effort.

The Plustek OpticFilm 135i’s negative holder, specially designed for 35mm panoramic film.
Guarantees a secure fit, precise guidance, and perfectly flat film even with unusual formats.

Compact, Lightweight, Well-designed

My first impression after unboxing the device: small, lightweight, and sleek. Measuring 175 × 259 × 104 mm and weighing just under 1.6 kg, the scanner takes up surprisingly little space on the desk. Yet it feels exceptionally sturdy. The casing is solid, the design is clean, and it’s easy to figure out how to use. The box contains everything you need:

• Scanner
• Slide holder (for 4 mounted slides)
• Film strip holder for 24×36 cm (up to 6 images) and half-frame
• Power adapter and USB cable
• Software DVD and quick start guide

The following are also available as options:

• Film strip holder for 24×65 cm (panorama)
• Film strip holder for 24×226 cm (panorama)

Film Holder: One Of Its Major Strengths

One aspect we already praised in our review of the Plustek OpticFilm 120 is confirmed here as well: the film holders. Based on our sometimes painful experiences with other manufacturers, Plustek offers some of the best solutions on the market. The holders are sturdy, easy to load, and keep the film neatly in place. After all, ensuring the film lies perfectly flat is the first and most important prerequisite for achieving sharp images, from the center all the way to the edges. For our tests, particularly when using the new WideluxX camera, we also used a panorama holder. Here, too, it’s clear that the system is well-designed and versatile; the film lies perfectly flat in the holder. Technical specifications :

• Optical resolution: 7200 dpi
• Color depth: 48-bit
• Max. scanning area: 24 × 226 mm
• Density range: 3.4
• Connection: USB 2.0
• Weight: approx. 1.6 kg

We are deliberately leaving the 7200 dpi out of this discussion for now. We will examine this topic in detail again in a separate, in-depth review.

The Plustek OpticFilm 135i’s negative holder for 35mm panoramic film.

The Image Quality is Surprisingly Good

Even with the simple QuickScan Plus scanning software, the scanner delivers results that are truly impressive. The easy-to-use software appeals to a key target audience for the OF 135i: people who just want to get started without having to learn how to use complex software. QuickScan Plus is clearly designed to deliver fast results:

• straightforward workflow,
• quick image previews available,
• fast sharing of results (for example, on social media),
• easy creative adjustments and corrections to images.

If You Want More, You’ll Get More

With SilverFast 9 from LaserSoft Imaging in Kiel, (Germany) you’re entering the big leagues. As soon as SilverFast 9 is installed and launched, the true potential of the OF 135i becomes apparent. Suddenly, the entry-level scanner transforms into a serious tool for professionals:

• Significantly greater control over colors and tonal values
• Even more precise results
• Extensive adjustment options for image corrections

Of course, the workflow is now more complex and requires more in-depth training. But it is also significantly more powerful. We will explain what that means in a separate post. A license for SilverFast 9 must be purchased separately. However, LaserSoft Imaging is offering readers of SilvergrainClassics a substantial discount. More on this at the end of this article.

Fast And Quiet

One aspect that particularly impressed us was the scanner’s processing speed. A full 35mm film strip with six exposures was digitized in just over four minutes using SilverFast. On top of that, it operates very quietly, which makes a significant difference compared to older scanners — some of which we still use at the Silvergrain Academy.

A perfect pair: The classic WIDELUX Panorama camera meets the newly released Plustek OpticFilm 135i.
Thanks to Plustek, there is a simple and reliable solution for accurately scanning 24×59 mm (or larger) negatives.

Professional Quality And Fun To Use

The Plustek OpticFilm 135i isn’t a high-end lab scanner. Nor does it aim to be one. It’s a practical tool that amateur photographers and semi-professionals will find quite satisfactory:

• fast
• simple
• compact
• surprisingly high-quality images

The included QuickScan Plus software ensures that beginners will see quick results. Those who want to delve deeper can do so at any time using powerful software like SilverFast. The Plustek OpticFilm 135i is a well-designed device that fills the exact niche that many other manufacturers have long since abandoned. What’s more, it’s simply fun to work with. More on the technical details of the OF 135i, its integration with SilverFast 9, and an in-depth quality test by SilvergrainClassics will follow soon.

Panoramic shot of a subway station in Frankfurt.
Photographed by Marwan El Mozayen on Kodak Portra 800 film using a WIDELUX camera.
Scanned with the Plustek OpticFilm 135i and a 24×36 mm panoramic film holder.

SilverFast Coupon Code For The Plustek OpticFilm 135i

Quick-decision-making readers of SilvergrainClassics who are considering purchasing an OF 135i have a clear advantage: LaserSoft Imaging is offering a 25% discount on the following products, effective immediately through May 1, 2026:

• SilverFast SE
• SilverFast SE Plus
• SilverFast 9 Ai Studio
• Code: HappyOF135i
• Duration: effective immediately through May 1, 2026

In addition, there are current Easter special offers for SilverFast and targets.

(This post was published by APHOG and translated from German)

More About Scanning

SilvergrainClassics Magazine

• SilvergrainClassics, issue 2 – Analog Photographers, Yes We SCAN!
• SilvergrainClassics, issue 3 – Scanners Today: One Perspective
• SilvergrainClassics, issue 4 – High End Scanners
• SilvergrainClassics, issue 14 – A Guide to Finding the Right Software Solution for Camera Scanning
• SilvergrainClassics, issue 15 – Analog vs. Scanned Images – A Personal Evaluation
• SilvergrainClassics, issue 22 – Scanning: A Bridge Between Digital and Analog
• SilvergrainClassics, issue 23 – Plustek and SilverFast Raise the Bar for Desktop Scanning
• SilvergrainClassics, issue 27 – Motel Darkroom: Developing and Scanning on the Road
• SilvergrainClassics, issue 28 – In Pursuit of the Perfect Scan

SilvergrainClassics Website

• The New Plustek OpticFilm 8300i SE
• Between Lab and Light Table
• A New Laboratory Film Scanner
• VueScan – A Program for Film and Flatbed Scanners 
• SilverFast ExpressScan: Turbocharging Your Flatbed Scanner
• How to Find the Best Drum Scanning Service

APHOG Website

• Der neue Kleinbild-Scanner Plustek OpticFilm 8300i SE
• Zwischen Labor und Leuchttisch
• VueScan – Ein Programm für Film- und Flachbett-Scanner
• Negative und Dias richtig scannen und archivieren
• SilverFast ExpressScan (Teil 1)
• SilverFast ExpressScan (Teil 2)
• Eine persönliche Geschichte der Filmdigitalisierung

More About SilvergrainClassics

Issue 28 of SilvergrainClassics here. And back issues of the magazine at heavily discounted prices.