scanning log with coolscan4000

[angelman]

We have a supercool scan 4000 and use it to scan stills for use in feature film. We need images that are logarithmic as opposed to the more usual linear output of scanners and digital cameras.
We need to be able to apply a colour correction curve to achieve this.
At present with the standard nikon scanner software this doesn't work very well. It is in no doubt in part due to our lack of understanding of this rather complex software. It seems though that when scanning in 14bit we are losing lots of information when applying this correction curve. It seems that it makes the scan and then simply applies the correctino curve afterwards which is something I might as well do in photoshop.
Can silverfast help at all in any of this??
We want either the best quality linear image with NO image processing or colour correction performed at all (so we have maximum cololur information to play with in photoshop) or to have accurate log output...

[LSI_Flyvbjerg]

Dear Angelman.

I suggest that you try our demo version for the LS4000 to check, whether the quality accomplishes your needs. The demo is free and has the full functionality, but there will be watermarks in the scanned images.

With SilverFast, you can scan 16-bit raw data, which contain the entire dynamic range without any curves and corrections and you can scan 8-bit and 16-bit data with applied curves and corrections.


Eric Flyvbjerg.

[angelman]

I will do that. Out of interest though do you know if the standard Nikon software does that. It seems to only scan at 14bit for a start, is this a limitation of the scanner or software. If its the scanner is it that silverfast scans at 14bit expands it to 16bit so that any further processing occurs at 16bit so no colour information is lost until it is reduced back to 8bit??? Or is it that the scanner has full 16bit colour depth but the nikon software cant exploit it.
Either way silverfast looks good...

[LSI_Flyvbjerg]

Well, I was affraid this question would come up.

The scanner has 14-bit only. These internal 14-bit are expanded to 16-bit, when scanned into PhotoShop or file.

After the scan, you still have the full dynamic range of 14-bit in your 16-bit files. No information is lost until you convert to 8-bit.

Eric

[angelman]

so what if any is the advantage of using silverfast over the standard nikon software, especially given that I only want as faithful reproduction of the neg as possible, with minimal if any colour correction.