LaserSoft Imaging

Hello Forum can you help me understand IT8 calibration transparencies?
If I buy the Fuji Provia IT8 slide does that mean it is only suitable for Provia film. I use Velvia so what do I need for that calibration. Where do I get a Target for that film? I assume that the Negafix feature takes care of calibration for all negatives listed in the menu. I hope you can help me in my confusion. At present I have no scanner calibration IT8 target for transparency film. Any help is appreciated, Regards, Tony Tree

Dear Tony

The orange mask of the emulsion surface of negatives makes it rather impossible to use a standard calibration process for negative images. To assure fine details, the contrast would necessarily be enforced to strongly.
To remedy this, LaserSoft Imaging has developed the Negafix tool which comes integrated into SilverFast.
You simply select your film material and go ahead producing optimal results.

With positive film material it is just the other way round: You don't need to use a specific film material profile, because the IT8 calibration standard allows to let the software know how a scanner sees colours.
The main idea about calibration is linearisation. However, you do not calibrate a given film, but a given source of light.
If the qualities of the scanner's lamp change (due to age, warmth, more than one lamp in the scanner), you'll need to recalibrate.
Although different films will show different colours for the same image, this isn't important to calibration, because what calibration is about that you get the colours on the film into your image file - regardless of the circumstances of the digitisation process, you shall ideally get the same colour data.

Best regards
Sonny Noack
- Manager Technical Support, LaserSoft Imaging AG -

Sorry for the rather late reply. I now understand the principle - but which is the best target tranparency for me? Why do you make two targets the purpose is only to calibrate the light source why a different film type? sorry to ask so much. Thank you for all the help and advice I have gained through the Forums and advice you give. Regards, Tony

Dear Tony

we do make different targets because people request them. Car manufacturers build sports cars, family vans, small cars, etc., because although they might be "an ideal car" (a car that can do all sufficiently), people still or rather: especially then would want to request "something different".

I don't want to start a film material theology discussion here, but there folks out there with a specific idea what suits them best and so we like to comply =)

Best regards
Sonny Noack
- Manager Technical Support, LaserSoft Imaging AG -

Thank you Sonny. I now understand. Regards, Tony