LaserSoft Imaging

Hi,

I currently own SilverFast 6 Ai-Studio for an Epson 4870 flatbed.

I am about to purchase a Nikon Coolscan 9000 ED to work with all of my transparencies, keeping the Epson for reflective work only.

I realise that I will have to purchase a separate and new copy of SilverFast Ai-studio for the Nikon, but I have a couple of questions.

1) In your list of 'supported' scanners there is an entry for a Nikon LS9000. Is this the same machine as a Super Coolscan 9000ED ?

2) Does SilverFast 6 Ai-Studio fully support the enhanced features of the Nikon 9000 ED? Specifically Digital-ICE4 with Digital-ICE Professional? I am specifically scanning a lot of Kodachrome 25 and 64.

3) what about support for the other ASF features such as Digital-GEM, Digital-ROC and Digital-DEE?

4) If I have both the Epson 4870 and the Nikon 9000 connected to the same machine (one via USB and the other via 1394 Firewire) will the two versions of SilverFast co-exist with each other?

5) Are there any cost reductions available for having to purchase a second version of the Software? I notice that SilverFast 6 Ai-Studio for the Nikon 9000 is quite expensive by comparison to the Epson 4870.

I have been very pleased with the performance of SilverFast Ai-Studio on my Epson and would like to investigate getting the software for the new Nikon, pending your response to these questions.

Any comments or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Best Regards,
Trevor.

Dear Trevor

1) yes
2) ICE4 is ICE+ROC+GEM+DEE. ICE (incl. its two different modes/strengths is supported). The other ASF trademarks are, however, not, because we find our solutions more powerful:
- ROC similar to SilverFast ACR.
- GEM similar to SilverFast GANE.
- DEE similar to SilverFast "Picture Settings" dialogue.
You will find that SilverFast offers by more control about how the routines work to get a desired outcome.
I still find ICE and Kodakchrome aren't a combination you want to use, even with an LS-9000.
3) none, but superior SF tools, cf. above
4) Probably not. The problem lies in the drivers which might conflict if loaded at the same system session.
This can usually be remedied by disconnect the scanner not needed prior booting.
5) Please contact our sales department.

Fine regards
Sonny Noack
- tech support, LSI AG -

Sonny,

Thank you very much for the informative reply.

Best Regards,
Trevor.

It might be worthwhile to know that I successfully use both a Microtek 120tf and an Epson 4990 on my firewire bus with SilverFast.

As an aside, the Epson results are, after sharpening and for enlargements up to 8 times, surprisingly close. For enlargements up to 5 times, there is no visible difference on the print.

We know from customers' experiences of problems between Epson and Nikon, as well as Minolta and Nikon scanner drivers.
However, there are installations out there which seem to run fine, though.

I haven't heard yet of conflicts between Microtek and Epson drivers.

Hello again Sonny,

I have just taken delivery of my new Nikon LS9000. It took quite some time from order to delivery!

I approached your sales people and was given excellent service. I have had a new copy of SilverFast Ai Studio for the LS9000 waiting unopened on my desk for a couple of weeks now! After a brief look at Nikon Scan I can't wait to get SilverFast installed and get to work with the Nikon

As for the compatability issue, it is not really a problem. I run my scanners on a separate machine from my primary system, and so using only one at a time is not a big issue as I can easily re-start the other machine if I need to swap scanners.

Thanks again for your assistance,
Best reagrds to all at Lasersoft.

Trevor.

Ooops, not so good.

I've just installed SilverFast. It installed as "SilverFast NikonM". When I start the standalone SilverFast Launcher it just sits there searching for devices!!!

So far I've tried a different cable and the 1394 adapter that Nikon provide with no improvement. Nikon Scan works OK.



I have just logged a support request. I sincerely hope we can get this going. This was a very expensive scanner and software.

Additional Information:
I have just installed the scanner and SilverFast on a completely different computer. When attempting to run the standalone version it hangs at the "Searching Devices" message. Exactly the same behaviour on a completely separate system!!!

Additional Information:
I have just downloaded and installed the latest 6.4.2r2 version. No change in behaviour. Silverfast cannot see my scanner!!! What on earth could be wrong?

Have I been sent the wrong version perhaps? SilverFast Identifies itself as being "SilverFast NikonM". Is this the correct code for an LS90000 ??

Best Regards,
Trevor.