a few issues with the scanning process:

[Daniel Buck]

Hello, I'm using an Epson 4490 to scan in 6x7 mediumformat black and white negatives (Ilford HP5 and Kodak Tri-X). I'm using SilverFast Ai Studio v6.4.4r3b, registered version.

My first issue is a major issue for me, I'm getting a dark line (not pure black, just dark) down the center of all my scans, it's only a few pixels wide, but it's smack in the center of every scan, and goes the entire way from the top to the bottom. This is quite anoying, as I have to clone out the line out of every scan. If this issue can't be resolved, I'm going to have to request an exchange of my serial number back for a refund, I use the software like this, can't deal with this line in every scan. It doesn't show up when I use the shipped epson software, and I didn't notice this when I was using the trial version of SilverFast before I purchased the full version.

My second issue is more of a convenience thing. The pre-scan preview window is tall and thin, I can't stretch it out wider, it's locked to that size ratio somehow. This gives me only a very limited view of the scans when I zoom in the scan preview to higher percentages. The zoom-in area box (when I click the percentage at the bottom left) also draws that tall thin line only. Is there a way around this? I can take a screen shot of this if needed.

Thanks,

Daniel

[RAG]

Daniel,

If the trial version was working and this problem occurred after you entered your serial number try deleting the Prefs by clicking the "Delete preference files" button shown on the following page:
http://www.silverfast.com/faq/1005/en.html

[Daniel Buck]

that didn't take care of the issue :(

Here is a picture of the line (I have zoomed in the preview scan). This picture also illustrates my 2nd issue, the size of the preview box. I can't stretch it out wider, I'm stuck viewing only this narrow sliver of my negative. The negative is 6x7, this preview box size is more along the size ratio of 2x7 or so. It makes it difficult to view a close up of the negative, because I can only view this thin slice. If I could stretch out the window about 4 or 5 times wider, I would be able to see more of my zoomed in preview.

Also, when I click the button at the bottom to change the preview size (which currently reads 274%) and lets say I choose 400%, once I click 400% there is no way to cancel out of that and choose another size. I have to click where I want the pre-scan to scan, wait for it to pre-scan, THEN choose another size. Am I doing something wrong?

[Daniel Buck]

ah, ok I found the zoom tool, it's over in the other tool window, not in the preview window. That appears to let me zoom to a shape other than the current tall/thin window, to something more the shape of my negative.

However, I get this message: An error occurred at the start of the scanning process. Cannon send Command "Set Window". and it won't start the pre-scan.


this happens when I click the zoom tool (to zoom to my selection) as well as when I CTRL-drag to zoom.

[Daniel Buck]

a little bump for anyone with info on the line down the middle of the scan :D

[RAG]

Daniel,

Does this line appear in the same location for all of your slides or does it move? If it is in the same place it may be a dust problem.

[Daniel Buck]

it appears to be in the same spot on all the scans, right smack in the middle (this is scanning negatives, I haven't done any reflective scanning, only transparent). I haven't had time to do any more testing with my work schedule, I'll try to do some more tests by this weekend. I'll also switch back to the Epson software once more to double check and make sure it's not happening with both scanning software.

[milktooth]

I too have been experiencing this problem.

Did you manage to recreate it in the epson software? Did you find a solution?

[RAG]

The reason I asked if it was always in the same spot is because many times when it is the cause is dust or something else on the scanner's glass.

[Daniel Buck]

No, I was not able to recreate the problem with the Epson software, so my solution was to just keep using the epson software instead of the SilverFast software.

I now have a 4990 scanner instead of a 4490 (so that I can scan 8x10 film), I haven't tried the SIlverFast software on the 4990, does the software let me use it on a different scanner?

[RAG]

You will need to contact LaserSoft sales in order to get the version for your new scanner.

[Kherberos]

Hi,

I am having the same problem scanning B&W negatives on a Reflecta RPS 7200.

Is this a well know issue?

[Kherberos]

After several additional tests, it turned out that not only am I getting this problem with B&W negatives, but with colour negatives and slides as well. The weird thing is that I did not have this issue few film rolls ago, but I am having it systematically now with every kind of film…

Really frustrating…

Any thoughts on this one?

[LSI_Morales]

Dear Kherberos,

in most cases the cause for this is within the scanner itself.

There might be some dust or a particle inside the region used by the sensor to calibrate which produces this kind of lines.
This might also be produced by a defective sensor.

Cheers

[Kherberos]

To end this, a conclusion :

I did some extra tests, and research.

The problem persists even using CyberView (wasn't there at the beginning), so the sole explanation for this kind of "bug" is the scanner itself. I don't know for the epson flatbed scanner, but i Founf this :

http://www.filmscanner.info/en/FragenRe ... ifenImBild

This is my problem. And it seems to be documented now. Neither Silverfast nor CyberView is the culprit, and I will have my scanner replaced by Reflecta. So much for the durability of a so called "pro" scanner…

Hope this help!

Regards