Orange Assassin bug nymph lying in wait for prey and 1.2x magnification. PrimeFilm 3650u Film Scanner lens with Sony A6300, handheld with one Godox TT350s wireless flash + X1s 2.4G wireless flash transmitter. Manual mode, 1/160th sec and ISO 400.
Since the beginning of the year some sought after lenses like the Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 and Scanner Nikkor ED lenses, have seen prices increase 300% or more. Are there any really good, low cost, undiscovered scanner lenses still out there? I looked into the Reflecta Crystal Scan 3600, also known as the PrimeFilm 3650u, after reading a test posted on the Filmscanner.info site https://www.filmscanner.info/ReflectaCrystalScan3600.html They found the scanner to reach almost 90% of the claimed resolution, which is really unusual since most scanners fail to produce even 50% of the distributor's resolution claims. The US version of the Reflecta 3600 scanner is known as the PrimeFilm 3650u Film Scanner and can be found online for some dirt-cheap prices, I got lucky and found on on Ebay for $20 with free shipping last month in August. Since then I have seen the 3650u scanners in auctions for as low as $10 + shipping!
So how sharp is the PrimeFilm 3650u Film Scanner lens, and is it worth $20? Is it as good as the Minolta Elite 5400 lens?
The PrimeFilm 3650u Film Scanner, also known in Europe as the Reflecta Crystal Scan 3600, is a low cost scanner released in 2003 and distributed in the US by a Taiwanese company called Pacific Image Electronics Co. Ltd. The 3650u was sold for $349 before being discontinued in 2005 and replaced by the PrimeFilm 7200 scanner, the same rebranded scanner is sold by Reflecta GmbH of Germany as the Reflecta Crystal Scan 7200.
Quick PrimeFilm 3650u Scanner Specs:
PrimeFilm 3650u / Reflecta Crystal Scan 3600
Optical Resolution: Nominal 3600 dpi
Designed lens coverage: 24.3mm x 36.5mm scan area
Production: Discontinued in 2005
Country of origin: Taiwan
PrimeFilm 3650 Scanner Lens with red Gummi-Bear for scale.
Quick PrimeFilm 3650u Scanner Lens Specs:
Barrel OD: 16mm
Barrel Length: 19mm
Focal length: 45mm
Fixed Aperture: f/5.6 set with an aperture disk
Chromatic Correction: APO
Mounting / Filter threads: None
Designed Range: Approx. 0.6x or 1.35x reversed
Recommended Magnification range: 1 - 1.5x, corners are slightly soft at 2x.
Note: The PF3650 lens uses painted brass barrel, typical design for a scanner lens.
PrimeFilm 3650u Scanner Lens with a Canon-MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo Lens for scale.
PrimeFilm 3650u VS THE CANON MP-E 65MM F/2.8 1-5X MACRO PHOTO LENS AT 1.35x Magnification
Click on any image below to view a larger version in a Lightbox viewer, but this will only be the largest size image if your screen/window is large enough. The size of the image sent to your device is based on the screen size. The comparison images below are 1500 pixels across. To check the size of the image you are looking at, look up at the URL window at the top of the browser, the address should have 1500w at the end. If the image size is anything smaller you can easily change the number to 1500 manually and press enter to bring up the largest image.
To see an images in a new browser tab, right click, or two-finger press, and select Open in a New Tab or New Window from the menu. You can also right click, or two-finger press, and select Save Image As and compare the images in an image viewer.
At 100% view the PrimeFilm 3650u resolves just enough detail to read 5A, 6A, 133E34270, and the small rings in the copper colored disk patters. The image quality is consistent into the far corner showing only a very slight drop in sharpness but nothing major. Chromatic aberrations are non-existent over the entire frame. Overall very good consistent image quality from the PF3650 lens although it did need slightly more sharpening in Photoshop than the Canon MP-E 65 images below.
The MP-E 65 is also very consistent from the center all the way to the far corners. Although you can read all of the micro numbers and letters with both lenses, the MP-E 65 does show more fine detail in the 100% crop images.
The Canon MP-E 65 beats the PF3650 lens when looking at an actual pixel view, but what about a normal resized image? Above is the PF3650 scanner lens re-sized to 1500 pixels. Below is the image made with the Canon MP-E 65 with the same RAW conversion settings, including sharpness, applied.
At 1500 pixels both lenses are sharp corner to corner. The scanner lens shows a bit more contrast and its interesting to see the different in color reproduction, both images were converted from RAW with identical settings.
TEST CONCLUSION
The Canon MP-E 65 beats the PrimeFilm scanner lens at 100% actual pixel view. Both lenses produce a great looking resized image with consistent sharpness corner to corner.
TEST SETUP
Camera: Sony α6300, model # ILCE-6300, also known as: A6300
Sensor size: APS-C. 23.5 × 15.6 mm. 28.21 mm diagonal. 3.92 micron sensor pitch
Flash: Godox TT350s wireless flash x 2 with one Godox X1s 2.4G wireless flash transmitter
Vertical stand: Nikon MM-11 with a Nikon focus block
A series of images was made with each lens in 30 micron steps. The sharpest frame was then chosen using Photoshop at 100% actual pixel view. Separate images were selected for center, edge, and corner if needed. Each image was processed in PS CC with identical settings with all noise reduction and lens correction turned off, all settings were zeroed out (true zero) and the same settings were used for all of the images. All of the images shown here are single files. None of the images are stacked. Since only one sample of each lens was used in this test it should give you a good idea of how a lens can perform but it doesn't mean that your own lens will perform at the same level.
Chromatic Aberration Test
The performance of this lens, free from both longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberrations, means that the PrimeFilm 3650 is apochromatically corrected.
PrimeFilm 3650u Longitudinal chromatic aberration example
PrimeFilm 3650u chromatic aberration example
PrimeFilm 3650u chromatic aberration 200% crop example
What are LoCAs?
Longitudinal chromatic aberrations or LoCAs are ugly purple and green fringing seen in the out of focus areas in front of and behind the focus point of an image. LoCAs are common, especially with fast lenses, so chances almost all of your lenses have at least a trace, you just never noticed. The problem is that LoCAs are extremely difficult to correct with complex designs using special glass to fully correct the aberration, the Scanner-Nikkor for example has 14 elements, 6 of those being ultra low dispersion.
What are Lateral Chromatic aberrations (CAs)
Chromatic aberrations (CA) are one of several aberrations, or imperfections, that degrade image quality. Lateral CAs appear in images as purple and green fringing, mostly seen on near-vertical hard edges on the left and right corners of the image. This results in softening of edges in the corners of an image. CAs occur because the different wavelengths of light are magnified by slightly different amounts by the lens.
Bottom line
So the PrimeFilm 3650u Film Scanner lens is sharp enough for sure and it's easily worth $20?
The PrimeFilm 3650u lens is also not on the same level as the Minolta Elite 5400 lens.
The PrimeFilm 3650u lens does not deliver anywhere near the resolution of a top scanner lens like an Scanner Nikkor ED or a Minolta Elite 5400 lens but if your budget is limited, you can live with the limited 1 - 1.5x range, and you don't need an iris, it would be hard to beat the PrimeFilm 3650u lens, it really is an excellent buy.
Compared to other lenses that sell for $50 or less, I can't think of a lens for the 1 - 1.5x range that would beat the PrimeFilm 3650u lens. Enlarging lens are in the same price range and I personally never used a EL-Nikkors, Rodagons, Rokkor-X, or Componon with the same level of chromatic correction and image field as large as the PF3650 lens.
The Primefilm 3650 u Compared to Other Scanner Lenses
You can't really compare any of the other scanner lenses below to the PrimeFilm 3650 lens based on price. I paid more for the mounting adapter for my Minolta Elite 5400 lens than I paid for the PF 3650 lens! In terms of the ability to resolve fine detail, the other scanner lenses will beat the PF3650 thanks to larger apertures. The slower PrimeFilm lens does not have the same ability to resolve fine detail but the lens will have more depth of field. The deeper DOF means getting the subject and important details a lot easier, especially when working in the field.
Left to right; PrimeFilm 3650u Scanner Lens, Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 Scanner Lens, Nikon Scanner Nikkor ED 7 element scanner lens, Nikon Scanner Nikkor ED 14 element scanner lens.
PrimeFilm 3650 2500 pixel image samples
To view these images at 2500 pixels, right click or two-finger press and open in a new tab or window, or select save image.
Russian eagle coin detail
Laser engraving details
PrimeFilm 3650u Lens Removal
Time required for lens removal: 5 minutes or 2 minutes with a power screwdriver
Tools required: Phillips screwdriver
To access the scanner lens, flip the scanner upside down and remove all of the Phillips head fasteners to remove the scanner cover. After removing the scanner top cover, locate the long black plastic unit in the center of the scanner. The scanner unit top cover is held in place by 4 Phillips fasteners as show in blue above. The scanner lens is right behind the cover and is held in place by a small dab of glue, you should be able to remove the lens by hand.
How to mount the Primefilm 3650u lens for macro photography
The biggest challenge with scanner lenses like the PrimeFilm 3650 is mounting the lens on a camera. Installed in a film scanner the lens is held in place by a bracket or clip so there is no mount and no threaded section. With the PrimeFilm 3650u I got lucky, the 16mm barrel is just about the perfect size to slip into the smooth bore of a male RMS threaded adapter, thats inside the male part, not the female side. My RafCamera M26x0.7 to Male RMS adapter slips right over the PrimeFilm 3650 lens and is held tightly in place by a small strip of metal shim tape. I would assume that the RMS extension tubes on Ebay, or any male RMS adapter would also work pretty well.
This is the parts breakdown for mounting the PrimeFilm 3650 lens, left to right.
- PrimeFilm 3650 Lens
- RafCamera M26x0.7 to Male RMS adapter
- RafCamera RMS to 39mm x 1.0mm cone style adapter
- Canon 25mm 39mm x 1.0mm extension tube
- Generic 39mm x 1.0mm to Sony E-Mount adapter
To save some money you could substitute a generic RMS extension tube, RMS to M39 adapter and 39mm extension tube for the RafCamera parts.
More info on other Pacific Image Electronics / Reflecta Film scanners
Interestingly the replacement for PrimeFilm 3650u / Reflecta Crystal Scan 3600, the PrimeFilm 7200 / Reflecta CrystalScan 7200, was also tested, https://www.filmscanner.info/ReflectaCrystalScan7200.html, where it was only able to produce 3300 ppi, that is the exact same result as the older scanner it replaced.
If you are thinking about looking into another of the Pacific/Reflecta scanners, the list below should help, but I can save you time. There are a couple issues with the other scanners. First, the prices really go upwards quick for the better units. The 10,000 dpi units that really produce closer to 4000 ppi, are $300-$400 and up. For that kind of money, I would recommend the Minolta Elite 5400 lens. Second the Pacific/Reflecta scanner really only produce about 50% of less of the nominal resolution, there are some exceptions but you need to be realistic about it, thankfully filmscanners.net tests are around to help give you the actual tested resolution. You can find the links for the tests below. If you find a good lens drop me an email of message and let me know.
PrimeFilm XA / Reflecta Filmscanner RPS 10M
Optical Resolution: 10,000 dpi X 10,000 dpi
Filmscanner.net Tested Resolution: 4300 ppi
Scan Area: 24.3mm x 36.5mm (H x W)
US Model: http://www.scanace.com/scan_pd_1.php?id=38
EUR Model: https://reflecta.de/en/products/detail/~id.774~nm.68/reflecta-RPS-10M.html
Scanner Test: https://www.filmscanner.info/en/ReflectaRPS10M.html
Filmscanner.net Test: https://www.filmscanner.info/en/ReflectaRPS10M.html
PowerSlide X / Reflecta DigitDia 7000
Optical Resolution: 10,000 x 10,000 dpi
Filmscanner.net Tested Resolution: 4880 ppi
Scan Area: 37mm x 37mm
US Model: http://www.scanace.com/scan_pd_1.php?id=49
EUR Model: https://reflecta.de/en/products/detail/~id.874/reflecta-DigitDia-7000.html
Filmscanner.net Test: https://www.filmscanner.info/en/ReflectaDigitDia7000.html
PrimeFilm XE / Reflecta Filmscanner ProScan 10T
Optical Resolution: 10,000 dpi X 10,000 dpi
Filmscanner.net Tested Resolution: 4100 ppi
Scan Area: 24.3mm x 36.5mm (H x W)
US Model: http://www.scanace.com/scan_pd_1.php?id=39
EUR Model: https://reflecta.de/en/products/detail/~id.734~nm.69/reflecta-ProScan-10T.html
Filmscanner.net Test: https://www.filmscanner.info/en/ReflectaProScan10T.html
PowerSlide 5000 / Reflecta DigitDia 6000
Optical Resolution: 5000 x 5000 dpi
Filmscanner.net Tested Resolution: 3300 ppi
Scan Area: 37mm x 37mm
US Model: http://www.scanace.com/scan_pd_1.php?id=36
EUR Model: https://reflecta.de/en/products/detail/~id.477/reflecta-DigitDia-6000.html
Filmscanner.net Test: https://www.filmscanner.info/en/ReflectaDigitDia6000.html
PrimeFilm 120 Pro / Reflecta Mediumformat Scanner MF5000
Optical Resolution: 3200dpi
Filmscanner.net Tested Resolution: 3050 ppi
Scan Area: Medium format (6 x 4.5, 6 x 6), 6 x 7, 6 x 8, 6 x 9, 6 x 12 )
US Model: http://www.scanace.com/scan_pd_1.php?id=8
EUR Model: https://reflecta.de/en/products/detail/~id.425/reflecta-Mediumformat-Scanner-MF5000-incl.-SilverFast-Ai-Studio-8.html
Filmscanner.net Test: https://www.filmscanner.info/en/ReflectaMF5000.html
PrimeFilm 7200 / Reflecta CrystalScan 7200
Optical Resolution: 7200 x 3600 dpi
Filmscanner.net Tested Resolution: 3300 ppi
Scan Area: 24.3mm x 36.5mm
US Model: http://www.scanace.com/scan_pd_1.php?id=9
EUR Model: https://reflecta.de/en/products/detail/~id.15/reflecta-CrystalScan-7200.html
Filmscanner.net Test: https://www.filmscanner.info/en/ReflectaProScan7200.html
PrimeFilm 3650u / Reflecta CrystalScan 3600
Optical Resolution: 3600 x 3600 dpi resolution
Filmscanner.net Tested Resolution: 3300 ppi
Scan Area: 24.3mm x 36.5mm
US Model: Discontinued
EUR Model: Discontinued
Filmscanner.net Test: https://www.filmscanner.info/ReflectaCrystalScan3600.html
Comments, questions or tips to share. Send me an email with the contact link.