iSRD vs Nikon Scan Digital ICE

[sjma]

I've tested both iSRD in automatic mode using a demo copy of Silverfast 8, and Digital ICE in Nikon Scan 4 with a black and white 35mm film negative (Ilford XP2 400 C-41). I'm unable to get the same quality of scratch removal with SilverFast 8 iSRD that I'm getting with my Nikon Scan 4 software. Is this down to the automatic settings for iSRD? The Nikon Scan software always does an excellent job on the Normal setting.

I've included 3 examples.

SilverFast_BW (Basic scan, no ICE/iSRD)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/simonashley/6149774018/in/photostream


SilverFastWithiSRD_BW (with iSRD)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/simonashley/6149222761/in/photostream


NikonScanWithICE_BW (Nikon Scan 4 with Digital ICE)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/simonashley/6149222563/in/photostream


Flickriver page
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/simonashley

[LSI_Ketelhohn]

Dear customer,

being a C41 B&W film this is one of the few B&W films which can be corrected using infrared.
Have you tried different strength settings for iSRD?
There is a correction strength slider available in expert mode.

kind regards,
Arne Ketelhohn.

[sjma]

Yes, I tried a couple of times, one with the max setting of 20 but it didn't appear to make any difference or little difference. I've uploaded the scan to flickr here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/simonashley/6171903498/in/photostream

I haven't tried a colour negative (still in the camera). Is it possible it's something to do with the B&W film, although as you say C41 B&W shouldn't be a problem?

[LSI_Ketelhohn]

Digital ICE uses an automated combination of hardware- and software-sided correction.

In SilverFast these components are divided in hardware sided iSRD and software sided SRD.

I will forward your remark into our testing center .
We will do some testing with C-41 B&W films to see if we can implement improvements here.


kind regards,
Arne Ketelhohn.