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Author
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Topic: Somikon HD-XL Film Scanner & Digitizer (Super) 8mm - EU market
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Berend De Meyer
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 140
From: Leek, The Netherlands
Registered: Apr 2017
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posted April 27, 2017 03:03 AM
Hi all,
This 1st post for my Wiki-thread is dedicated to the brand new Somikon HD-XL Film Scanner & Digitizer (Super) 8mm - EU
EDIT: as per 04/29/2017 PEARL.DE has a new shipment in stock!
Google Translated Specifications:
HD-XL film scanner for easy digitization of Super 8 and 8 mm films (switchable)
High-resolution 1/3 "CMOS sensor with 3.53 megapixels
Scan resolution: 1440 x 1080 pixels at 30 frames / sec
Stand-alone recording: saves directly to SD (HC) card up to 32 GB, no PC necessary
Recording format: MP4 video, no recording of the audio track
Automatic exposure, manual correction (-2.0 to +2.0 EV), automatic white balance
Light source: LED lighting
Built-in TFT LCD display: 6 cm / 2.4 "
USB 2.0 port for data transfer to the computer
TV output: PAL / NTSC
For Super 8 and Normal 8 film coils (adapter 8/13 mm included) reels up to 17.8 cm / 7"
Automatic stop at the end of the movie
Fast rewinding (requires about 2 minutes for 10 minutes of film)
Integrated carrying handle
Connections: TV-Out (3.5 mm jack), mini USB, slot for SD (HC) cards up to 32 GB, power supply
Supports Windows XP / Vista / 7/8 / 8.1 / 10, OS X from 10.7.3
Power supply: 12 V via 230 V power supply (cable length: 1.2 m)
Measurements: 32 x 18,5 x 11 cm, weight: 1,5 kg
Filmcanner including Film-Leerspule, Film-coil-adapters, spacer-rings for the film guide, power supply, video cable (3.5 mm jack to RCA, 150 cm), USB cable (mini USB to USB, 100 cm) and German instructions.
Hopefully my deck arrives next week, so I can start sharing my review(s) and first test footage here. I'll post all in this first post, so all info's and test results are easy accessible for everybody.
Stay tuned! ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
[ April 30, 2017, 09:07 AM: Message edited by: Berend De Meyer ]
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Cheers | “I am an advocate of the "if it ain't broken, don't fix it" modus operandi!”
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Berend De Meyer
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 140
From: Leek, The Netherlands
Registered: Apr 2017
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posted May 11, 2017 12:32 AM
Hi all,
I received my scanner. I did a quick OOTB scan of the oldest film reels in my collection, the wedding of my parents* in 1957, some 60! years ago. Although still not utilized the scanner to its full potentional, I must admit that I'm very pleased with this first result. As many stated elsewhere, I'm now convinced this scanner is the best bang for the (400) euro I spend on it. It may not come close to a scanner in the $4000 range, but this is way better then to let all those memories disolve into dust and - my ultimate personal goal - preserve it for all future generations to come!
I transcoded the RAW mp4 to mov for import into Final Cut Pro. I then adjusted the speed setting it to 53% (18fps(filmcamera)/30fps)(scanner output) in FCP. I used Denoiser and Magic Bullet Looks for grading and light bloom.
Here's my first result: https://youtu.be/XRD-89ZlDhE
I'm still tweaking to get the best HD output, but this test is just for reviewing the OOTB capabilities of my new scanner!
Keep you posted on any progress for this huge project - 24x 18cm / 7" reels! I'm very glad that it can receive my 18cm / 120 meter reels, so I don't have to slice them and rewind them back to smaller size reels. ;-)
Thanks for watching, I hope you'll like the result so far and of course directions/tips for an even better output is greatly appreciated!
Cheers
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Cheers | “I am an advocate of the "if it ain't broken, don't fix it" modus operandi!”
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Gary Sayers
Film Handler
Posts: 55
From: Worksop, UK
Registered: Aug 2016
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posted May 21, 2017 12:07 PM
Hi Berend,
I decided to return my Wolverine, unused, to Amazon.
After looking at so many examples on youtube, I came to the conclusion that it was just not for me, even for it's relatively cheap price.
Like many on this forum, I had already tried doing transfers using a video camera pointing directly at a projected image. The results were not bad but the flicker was quite noticeable.
I've been experimenting recently with a cheap compact camera that also shoots video. Using it's full auto function, recordings begin very flickery but once it has decided on a suitable shutter speed after a few seconds, it settles down and the results are very good.
I just need to do some fiddly work with the camera to find the manual setting for the right shutter speed (there is no actual shutter speed setting, just loads of icons for 'sports', 'night time', etc). Not had the time to try to sort this yet.
So I decided that I would rather do transfers this way and not have to worry about all the messing with a computer afterwards.
Gary
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Barbara Strohl
Film Handler
Posts: 44
From: Hamilton, NJ, USA
Registered: Jan 2016
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posted May 24, 2017 12:19 PM
My Wolverine broke after a bunch (40 some) of 3inch reels.
Something broke with the uptake tensioner. I didn't open it up because I am sending it back.
My decision was because I haven't had it long, I bought it direct, and postage to CA isn't much.
When I spoke to them they were keen to get my machine back because they haven't had this issue before and I got one of the first of the newest batch.
It will still run and rewind as long as it doesn't need to wind the film while recording.
I didn't have a lot of the problems that people had reported before. I would not leave this running unattended for long because it would get stuck but not that it damaged the film.
My unit didn't get hot. It does have the new vents, I kept it where it gets good air flow, and I like my work room at 65F or less.
I used compressed air to clean it off if it hadn't just been running.
I cleaned every film before running. I found I had dropped frames if the film wasn't completely dry so most sat over night before running.
Most films seem to run better backwards.
It really doesn't like any bending in the films. Ironing helped.
Splices seemed to be hit or miss. Tape vs cement didn't matter. I thought I would figure out what was an issue and then something would ruin my theory.
I doubt that it mattered but I did run it in low light or the dark. This wasn't hard with other stuff I'm doing.
My biggest problem is myself. I am not willing to sacrifice ANY frames. I will not cut out damaged sections or bad cement splices. Most of the films have shrinkage, warping, bends, tears, and everything else that you can imagine. Most of these I won't let near a projector ever again. The ones in the best shape, or sometimes part of a film, I was willing to try but even that was a strain.
If you have films in good enough shape to project this should work for you.
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Barb
I'm an amateur noob. Please be gentle.
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Berend De Meyer
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 140
From: Leek, The Netherlands
Registered: Apr 2017
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posted May 25, 2017 03:37 AM
Hi Barb,
Thanks a lot for your review, appreciated. I really love the concept of the Wolverine and the Somikon film scanning decks, but I'm very disappointed about some of the poor engineering and execution:
1. Why not reels up to 180 meter, the distance between the two reels is only 1 cm short, as I can't imagine that the extra weight (+60mtr) will have a very negative outcome for the rotating motor used.
2. Very poor and wobbly mounting points for both reels, causing the reels to scratch the front plate
3. Higher resolution (MP) sensor for 1080p for even better RAW output quality, to have a better starting point when beginning the post-process.
4. Why is the scanning frame not pulling the film more downwards, to prevent the film jumping in the scanning area
As reported I'll exchange mine for a new one. Perhaps I was unlucky with the one I got.
Cheers
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Cheers | “I am an advocate of the "if it ain't broken, don't fix it" modus operandi!”
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