Reflecta X4plusScan Film Scanner Review

Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification



The new Reflecta x4plus-Scan is a 2400dpi film scanner, that can produce a 9 megapixel image. It supports film, slide, and 110 film. There is a 2.4 inch screen, and integrated SD/SDHC memory card slot. The scanner also features a built in lithium-ion rechargeable battery so that you can use the scanner without a PC or power supply, and scan directly to an SD card. After this you can put the SD card in a photo frame or compatible TV for viewing, or connect the Reflecta's USB cable to your computer and it will show you the contents of the memory card.

The Reflecta x4plus-Scan could even be used by people without a computer. With the included composite video cable, you have the option to run a slide show of the captured images on your TV.

Reflecta x4plus-Scan Features:

The scanner operates from a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery, which is charged from the mains using the enclosed adapter, or with the supplied USB cable.

This is a horizontal feed scanner, similar in nature to a number of other budget scanners on the market. This has a 9 megapixel CMOS sensor as opposed to the earlier 5 megapixel models; a commercial version of a close up camera that takes pictures of your film in front of a strong backlight. On this scanner the backlight is horizontal. One of the main issues with capturing from film is that the enlargement factor reveals foreign matter requiring elimination or camouflaging. The vendors of this scanner include a brush device for removing particles from the backlight inside the scanner. Preparing the scanner by removing this foreign matter goes a long way to satisfactory scans, however as this scanner only has a small preview screen, the results of dusting the backlight are not easily assessed. Also because it is horizontal, more dust will deposit on it than on a scanner with a vertical backlight.

It has an attractive matt black finish and the display folds down when not in use. It is as stated a completely independent scanner, which someone without a PC could use, getting hard copy from the SD card at a printers.

Reflecta x4plus-Scan Handling:

The slide and film holders are designed to be inserted in only one orientation so care is required to load the media correctly, though there is a horizontal flip option button. Slide feeder attachments are becoming more prevalent on horizontal feed scanners, but Reflecta have not implemented the option in this case. The scanner controls are rudimentary enabling selection of film type, exposure value, and then scanning. With a spare film holder and an assistant loading it whilst you are scanning, it would be possible to digitise a lot of film in a short space of time. A couple of seconds per image comfortably beats flat bed scanning times.

The scanned images can be transferred to a PC for enhancement using the USB cable and Arcsoft Media Impressions provided, or by plugging the SD card in to your reader.

Arcsoft Media Impressions is very capable and useful for someone without their own preferred image editing program, but plays no part in the process of capturing. Images captured from slides will produce reasonable A4 size prints, and are easily good enough for social network purposes.

Reflecta x4plus-Scan Performance:

Reflecta Scan from Film, click to view full size.

The full images are from negatives and slides along with 100% crops from Epson Perfection 2400 (2400dpi) and Canoscan FS 2710 (2720dpi). Although the resolution of the Reflecta is not as good as the others, prints up to A4 should be acceptable.

Reflecta Crop	Epson Perfection 2400	Canoscan FS 2710

The full size views show similar colours, but different levels of detail in the images.

Reflecta scan - click to view full size.	Reflecta scan - click to view full size.

Using the second image, we scanned the same negative on each scanner, and applied Auto-Colour in Photoshop to see how comparable the results are:

Reflecta	Epson	Canon
Auto-Colour	Auto-Colour	Auto-Colour

Reflecta x4plus-Scan Verdict

This is not a scanner that a discerning photographer would be especially impressed with, but if you have still got boxes of slides and negatives waiting to be catalogued that you may also want to printout to a medium size, it will get the job done quicker than a flatbed or more expensive dedicated models. It is priced slightly higher than the competition (Ion FILM 2 SD PRO, G284 scanner) though there are still few 9 megapixel scanners of this type available.

Reflecta x4plus-Scan Pros

Stand alone
9 megapixel
Fast – productive

Reflect x4plus-Scan Cons

No control over image compression
A little expensive

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE
OVERALL

Reflecta x4plus-Scan Specification

Contact	www.kenro.co.uk
Scanning Time	2 Sec - 2400dpi at 30bit Color Depth
Optical Resolution	2400 DPI (x,y)
Colordepth	30bit
Display size	2.4inch
Density range	3Dmax
Weight	1kg
Interface	TV-Out (NTSC/PAL), USB 2.0
Image sensor	CMOS
Film Type	Slides, Negative, Pocketfilm
Memory Card Slot	SD
One Touch Button	Yes
Scope of Delivery	Slide holder for 3 framed slides, Filmholder for film strips up to 6 exposures, Film holder for 110 mm (Pocket) film strips up to 8 exposures
Contents	USB-Cable, AC Adapter, Lithium-Ion Battery
Scanning area	36.5 mm x 24.3 mm
Dimensions	164cm (H), 105cm (D), 104cm (W)