LaserSoft Imaging

I have the Cool Scan V and have always scanned at 4000 ppi, which is supposed to be the actual optical resolution of the scanner. I create archival iHDR files with final adjustments made in SF HDR. Is this the optimal setting for archiving from this scanner or are other factors such as optimal sharpness suggesting a different setting?

I also use the infrared information to make iSRD and SRD adjustments in HDR and note that on the instructional video for iSRD, it is suggested to set the resolution such that the quality factor is 1.5 and lpi is 152, resulting in an output resolution of 228 ppi, considerably lower than my archived scans. What is the reasoning behind these setting and what seems to be an arbitrary choice for the output size of the image? In particular, why should I care about the QF and lpi settings when what I really care about is the final output resolution, which I can set directly?

Hi dnobel

dnobel wrote:I have the Cool Scan V and have always scanned at 4000 ppi, which is supposed to be the actual optical resolution of the scanner. I create archival iHDR files with final adjustments made in SF HDR. Is this the optimal setting for archiving from this scanner or are other factors such as optimal sharpness suggesting a different setting?

It is correct, according to the scanner manufacturer that is the highest optical resolution the scanner is capable of. There are certain factors which might diminish the actual scan resolution but in the case of dedicated film scanners and your Nikon these are minimal.
However if you want to know the exact resolution of your personal scanner you might find this interesting: http://www.silverfast.com/show/resolution-target/en.html

dnobel wrote:I also use the infrared information to make iSRD and SRD adjustments in HDR and note that on the instructional video for iSRD, it is suggested to set the resolution such that the quality factor is 1.5 and lpi is 152, resulting in an output resolution of 228 ppi, considerably lower than my archived scans. What is the reasoning behind these setting and what seems to be an arbitrary choice for the output size of the image? In particular, why should I care about the QF and lpi settings when what I really care about is the final output resolution, which I can set directly?

You are absolutely right. The parameters mentioned in the video concern the printing resolution these come from a formula used in the professional press and it also regards the scale factor. In your case however you are interested in setting this value directly, you can ignore that part and continue to use your settings as you have been doing.

Cheers