Silverfast HDR and IT8

[Hans]

I understand that Silverfast HDR is for processing files esp. raw files which come from the scanner. Raw files are not corrected in any way. so what is the use of an IT8 target which is meant to produce a color profile and thereby to correct the output of a specific scanner? Have I got something wrong in understanding?

[LSI_Flyvbjerg]

Dear Hans.

All scanners are different. Every scanner sees the colors on the flatbed (or slide / film) in its own way. After to scan, you will see a more or less difference in the colors between the original and the scanned image. To asure that the colors on the original image is reproduced as exact as possible, you?ll need to calibrate your scanner. This is what the IT8 target is used for.

When raw files are converted to 8-bit files, normally only a gradation curve (gamma) is applied. The incorrect colors are in both the raw and the 8-bit images. That is why calibration is also needed for raw images.


Best regards

Eric.

[cowgum]

please pardon my ignorance, how do you then do the calibration for the RAW images??

thanks!!!

[Caleb Clapp]

Dear Hans.

All scanners are different. Every scanner sees the colors on the flatbed (or slide / film) in its own way. After to scan, you will see a more or less difference in the colors between the original and the scanned image. To asure that the colors on the original image is reproduced as exact as possible, you?ll need to calibrate your scanner. This is what the IT8 target is used for.

Best regards

Eric.

Eric,

So why then is there no way to incorporate calibration into negative scans? I understand that the orange mask is an issue. However, I would think the scanner could nevertheless be calibrated in advance with AI/HDR so there is not a second variable, i.e. the scanner would be calibrated with the software so the data in the scan would be most accurate. Then the AI scan to 48bit HDR output and subsequent HDR processing would "know" the colors are accurate (because the workflow has been calibrated).

--Caleb

[LSI_Flyvbjerg]

Dear Caleb.

We are currently working on exactly what you proposed.
NegaFix will be separated into:
1. calibration and
2. apply of film curves
in the future.

Eric.

[Caleb Clapp]

Dear Caleb.

We are currently working on exactly what you proposed.
NegaFix will be separated into:
1. calibration and
2. apply of film curves
in the future.

Eric.

Thanks Eric, this is good news.

When do you expect this to occur? Will it effect HDR and DCPro, as well as AI?

Will the primary "impact point" for this calibration be at the time of the raw 48 bit scan, in addition to the time post scan processing? I ask because I have 5,000 negatives to scan and I might want to wait until this has been incorporated into SF, before I embark on this marathon, assuming the actual raw scan would benefit from this calibration.

Thanks again

--Caleb

[LSI_Muenier]

Dear Caleb,

this is still under development and not clear when releasable.
Currently, we have Negafix profiles which are already adapted to the scanners we support.
There are a large variety of them, please check which one best fits your need (you may also edit them to generate your personal profile if needed).

Martin

[Caleb Clapp]

Thank you for your reply, but I think you missed my point, and the rest of my question. Eric had confirmed SF would be offering a Negifix that would additionally incorporate calibration, so the variance from one scanner to another (even the same model) would be factored into the scan/post-scan processing. He already answered that. I appriciate your answer to the "when" question (even thouth it gave no information )

My reply to Eric was asking about the point(s) in the workflow where this calibration becomes important. Would you please address that (I am assuming you work for SF and am giving me an official reply to my post).

Lastly, a new question : If doing raw negative scans (48bit color HDR) is negifix invoked at the time of the scan, or only in the post scan processing?

Thanks very much

--Caleb