Silverfast AI vs. MonacoEzcolor

[Guest]

I too have just purchased an Epson 1680 scanner (Artist Model-no transparency adapter) which comes with MoacoEzcolor and Silverfast AI 5. I know this is a Silverfast forum, but which is better? What are the pluses/minuses.

[Junebug]

1. Silverfast is the software you will use to get the best scans out of your new scanner and system.
2. MonacoEZ Color is great for profiling your printer and then tweaking those printer profiles to your personal taste.

I have used both products for years, but I am not familiar with what comes with the bundled versions. (I have IT-8 targets for each and also a monitor calibrator for EZ, haven't used the monitor calibrator for a while since I bought a calibrated monitor)

To get the most out of both products you will need an IT-8 target to "calibrate" your settings to your system.

You can start out by using the EZ Color IT-8 to calibrate and build profiles for your scaner and printer. (definately use the EZ printer profile to represent your printer/paper output.)

In Silverfast you can begin by using the manuafacturers profile or the Monaco EZ generated profile to represent your scanner.

This will give you better scans and out put than you can achieve now.

Eventually as you get familiar, better, and more critical with your Scan/Edit/Output workflow you will want to purchase an IT-8 target and capability from Silverfast.

OK.. If you are just starting that may be a lot to digest. I hope I've made my opinion clear.

Regards,

Jb

[Guest]

Thanks for your detailed comments. Yes I am just starting ( have no real experience) and your comments are VERY welcome. With the bundle of the Artist version of Epson 1680 scanner, EZ apparently comes with a base IT-8 target, Silverfast does not. Why specifically would I want to go and buy an IT-8 Silverfast target? Would this fine tune Silverfast better to this scanner than using the profile generated by the IT-8 target from EZ? Pardon me for my ignorance on the subject. Rich

[ilyons]

On 2002-01-13 22:24, Anonymous wrote:
Thanks for your detailed comments. Yes I am just starting ( have no real experience) and your comments are VERY welcome. With the bundle of the Artist version of Epson 1680 scanner, EZ apparently comes with a base IT-8 target, Silverfast does not. Why specifically would I want to go and buy an IT-8 Silverfast target? Would this fine tune Silverfast better to this scanner than using the profile generated by the IT-8 target from EZ? Pardon me for my ignorance on the subject. Rich

Rich,


The EZcolor target is unique to Monaco and will probably not work with the SilverFast IT8 module. However, I doubt that SilverFast IT8 was included with the bundle version that you received, hence no LaserSoft target. In any case the EZcolor created profiles will do fine and so buying the LaserSoft version isn't necessary.


Ian

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ilyons on 2002-01-13 22:59 ]</font>