Black Dots Using iSRD

[comdico]

I've verified that using iSRD with my LS9000 caused there to be very small black dots scattered across my scans. You need to zoom in well beyond 100% to see them but they are there. I do not have this issue with iSRD turned off. Also, this is not a problem using ICE with Nikon Scan.

My question is can these spots be reduced or minimized? I'd really have to hate to spot all my photos by hand. Also, is there any chance that Silverfast will use the hardware ICE that Nikon Scan uses in the future?

PS: On a related note, whenever I try to use iSRD with a B&W image, Silverfast crashes.

I'm very disappointed with this limitation but I'm hoping for good news about future updates in this area because I like the software very much in other respects.

[LSI_Heidorn]

Dear comdico,
i have to ask:
Did you try the latest version ( 661r1a ) on our website and the Bug(s) still occur ?

best regards,

Nils Heidorn

[comdico]

I'm using 6.6.0r6. I'll download the latest version and report back.

Thanks.

[LSI_Heidorn]

Dear comdico,
please do so and let us know !

best regards,

Nils Heidorn

[comdico]

I updated to 661r1a but this did NOT solve the problem. I am attaching an image for reference. The scan was 35mm Ektar.

[LSI_Heidorn]

Dear comdico,
hmmm, that is strange indeed, i will notify my iSRD colleague of this !

best regards,

Nils Heidorn

[LSI_Heidorn]

Dear comdico,
my colleague is also stunned

I will PM you, may you scan that crop in that very same resolution to a HDRi 64 Bit file, then we can use iSRD here...

best regards,

Nils Heidorn

[comdico]

Hi Nils,

Scanning the negative at HDRi 64 Bit fixes the problem. To be clear, the black dots appear when I scan at 24 bit color and turn on iSRD. This was the first time I tried the HDRi option as I'm still new to the software and don't yet quite understand how to perform color management with this option. But it works, so I suppose I will be brushing up on that next.

My plan is to scan all my film at low rez for archiving and then scan those images I wish to print at high rez, so the 64 bit HDRi fits nicely with this approach. So, this takes care of the problem, but it's still kind of odd that the issues occurs at 24 bit. I sent an HDRi file over. Perhaps this can help in the investigation. If I can help in any other way I'd be happy to.

Thanks again.

[LSI_Heidorn]

Dear comdico,
when you scan HDRi images the image is scanned as raw RGB and raw Infrared, so the iSRD filter is not yet applied !
That is why you cannot see the black dots appearing !
( But the dust and scratches should still be there unluckily ).

best regards,

Nils Heidorn

P.S. please see your PM, i got trouble with the file you sent !

[comdico]

Hello,

Been a bit busy, so this reply is a bit late in coming, but it appears that the latest update has fixed this issue.

I must also add that the Silverfast customer service team has been top notch. The speed and professionalism of their response to the issue I reported was second to none and, in fact, could not have been better. Kudos to all who helped!!