Which settings are most important?

[GeorgeUK]

I'm using SilverFast SE-Plus 6.6 with a Plustek 7400 scanner, to scan Kodakchrome and Fujichrome slides.

I'm delighted with the quality of the scans. The multiexposure facility is incredible and really brings out the shadow detail in slides whcih I always deliberately underexposed by half a stop, decades ago. Lesser scanners and software simply can't get the best out of my slides. I'd recommend this scanner and software to anyone.

Anyway, my question relates to the settings. Which settings affect the basic scan, as in software instructions which are sent to the scanner for bulb brightness or whatever? And which settings are taking the basic scan and then processing it afterwards (effectively), to arrive at the TIF scan which I see?

For example, with brightness under Picture settings>advanced, is it important to get this brightness set accurately for the scan? Or can I adjust brightness later within Photoshop?

The other main control I often use is auto-adjust for image optimization. I see that gamma is set at 2.0

Which settings must I get right for the TIF scan and which settings can be left until later within Photoshop?

[LSI_Morales]

Dear George,

All SilverFast tools can be used to improve the quality of your image during the scan process. Tools like Multi-Exposure or Auto IT8 calibration can not be replaced by anything in post production because they improve the scanning process itself (in other words the improve the process that creates your digital image).

For example, with brightness under Picture settings>advanced, is it important to get this brightness set accurately for the scan? Or can I adjust brightness later within Photoshop?

The other main control I often use is auto-adjust for image optimization. I see that gamma is set at 2.0

Which settings must I get right for the TIF scan and which settings can be left until later within Photoshop?

There are very few scanners with lamp control. Your scanner do not have this kind of control. The Multi-Exposure feature influences the exposure by a time variable (making the scanning slower than normal) so the film receives more light. The lamp brightness is not modified at any time just the exposure time.

The gamma value is set to match the operating system compatibility (Your operating system has a determined gamma value as well as all programs working there, if you use a different value opening images on different applications will make the image look differently on each program).

I recommend you use Multi-Exposure, Auto IT-8 calibration (which is an optional tool sold separately) and the best optical resolution before scanning your pictures (I personally do not use any kind of Auto sharpening filter, but this is a matter of your own taste).

Cheers