Negafix and 16bit grayscale scanning problem

[Loris Medici]

I have an Epson 2540 (GT9700) and use Silverfast 6.0 / Photoshop 6.01. I try to scan a 6x6 Ilford XP2 Super negative using the associated Negafix profile in 16bit grayscale mode. The preview looks OK as I do exposure, blackpoint/whitepoint and curves adjustments. Then, when I'm satisfied with the adjustments and hit the "Scan" button, Silverfast sends RAW (*negative*, no adjustments applied) data to Photoshop disregarding all the adjustments I did. What I'm expecting is an adjusted 16bit grayscale *positive* image with a smooth and broad (not compressed as in negatives) histogram. Can you please help me to solve this problem?
Thanks in advance,
Loris.

[Gregory C]

Silverfast sends RAW (*negative*, no adjustments applied) data to Photoshop disregarding all the adjustments I did.

From experience, I would say that you have selected Negative in the Pos./Neg. popup menu on the General panel, and 16 Bit HDR Grayscale in the Scan Type popup menu on the Frame panel.

This combination will display the Negafix dialog but will save the RAW scan data. You should instead select 14->8 Bit Grayscale or 16 Bit Grayscale.

What have you selected as the Scan Type?

regards
Gregory

[LSI_Belli]

Dear Loris,

the bug you mentioned should habe been fixed since version 6.0.1r16 for PC and 6.0.1r18 for Mac.

If you have any further problem, please contact our support team at support@silverfast.de

Best regards.

Thomas

[Loris Medici]

...the bug you mentioned should habe been fixed since version 6.0.1r16 for PC...

I'm using PC Plug-In version 6.0.1r17?

...from experience, I would say that you have selected Negative in the Pos./Neg. popup menu on the General panel, and 16 Bit HDR Grayscale in the Scan Type popup menu on the Frame panel. This combination will display the Negafix dialog but will save the RAW scan data. You should instead select 14->8 Bit Grayscale...

Err.. Yes, I selected 'Transparency, Negative' on the general panel and '16 HDR Grayscale' in the scan type on the frame panel. I don't want 8bit files, I want 16bit files; doesn't I have the possibility to import 16 grayscale (or 48bit color) but *adjusted* (not RAW) images into Photoshop? If so, I can't believe; I'm totally astonished!

[Gregory C]

[erased]

[Loris Medici]

...once you get a hold of the newer version...

Gregory, I'm already using the latest version: 6.0.1r17.

Dear LSI_Belli, what else do you suggest?

[LSI_Muenier]

Gregory is right when he says that first you need to check your scan type setting. There are three possibilities for gray scale you may choose between:

- 8 Bit Grayscale (which you do not want)
- 16 Bit Grayscale (which I would prefer to you)
- 16 Bit HDR Grayscale (which Gregory already correctly described)

Please use the second of these possibilities (16 Bit, but not HDR),
then you will get a 16 Bit image with all corrections (including Negafix inversion) applied.

(Note: LSI_Belli was thinking of a similar but different problem description that lead him to write about a bugfix, but this is not connected with your problem.
I think the current problem is caused by a misunderstanding of SilverFast's user interface, see above.)

[Gregory C]

[erased]

[Loris Medici]

...
- 8 Bit Grayscale (which you do not want)
- 16 Bit Grayscale (which I would prefer to you)
- 16 Bit HDR Grayscale (which Gregory already correctly described)
...
I think the current problem is caused by a misunderstanding of SilverFast's user interface
...

Yes exactly, I was selecting 16bitHDR thinking that it is the only option for 16bit output. I didn't notice the other 16bit option. I was wrong. Now everything works well; thanks both for your help.

Regards,
Loris.