LaserSoft Imaging

SF6 is working great with my Epson 2450, however I would like to move to higher resolution scanning system. My workflow with the 2450 is that Ii load 2 strips of 3 Xpan negatives or slides which are 24 x 65 mm per shot; I then open Silverfast as a standalone applicaiton; I draw the scan boxes the six images and then run the batch (I normally scan at 1600 dpi) There is no autofocus on the Epson that I can figure out.

So I can scan upto 6 shots at a time and it works pretty darn well. Its fair to say that I I really prefer editing on my PC and not on a light box.

However, in looking at other scanners in the marketplace, none seem do this batch scanning I described above. For example the Kodak 3600: it looks great but the software they described only goes for std 35 mm size using THEIR software. Do you folks have Silverfast do batching like its peformed on my Epson 2450.? Also for the Nikon 8000, I have finally figured the scan range is 90mm so I can only put two XPan images per setup. (Please note this is alot fewer than the upto six I can place on the Epson 2450) OK... then I use SF 6 with the Nikon 8000 to do a batch of just 2 scans which now takes alot more time, but IT IS a better scan.

Can you folks give me a report or chart with your major hardware vendors you support that provides batch scanning with Xpan as I described on the Epson 2450. I know that I am comparing apples to oranges when I compare this Epson to a med format scanner. Nonetheless I am trying to balance cycle time for scanning vs quality of the scan itself.


Greg

Dear libertyh,
unfortunately the Nikon LS8000 is limited by its feeder (you experienced it).

You would need an A4 scanner with an A4 transparency scan bed (speaking of Epson only the Expression series feature this).
Next in row would be a A3 format scanner or a drum scanner (expensive) in order to achieve your goal.
Please attend to web pages of the corresponding hw manufacturer.