LaserSoft Imaging

I purchased an Epson 3200 Pro Photo scanner which came with Silverfast. I must say I am quite dissappointed with the scans I get using Silverfast. I get much better scans just using the Epson driver.

Okay, so now I discover that even though I thought I was getting the full version with the Pro option (it does say Ai on the CD), I apparently have to spend another $150 to get the calibration targets now. The 3200 Pro also came with the Monaco EZ Color, but using their IT8 targets produces lousy results.

Can someone give me an objective, unbiased opinion on whether spending another $150 on these target and the calibration option is going to produce the excellent results I keep hearing about with Silverfast?

I am not upset at Silverfast. I am sure I just don't understand the software yet and I will also be buying the Silverfast book if that will be of help to me. Any comments on the book?

I am just wondering why I spent the extra money on the Pro version when someone spending less on the standard version of the scanner would also have to pay the additional $150 for the upgrade if I read the pricing correctly.

BTW: My dissappointment is caused by the fact that even with the Epson scans, I have to spend way too much time on color correction. I am looking to reduce this time as much as possible.

Thanks for any assistance.

Ken Smith

Value of IT8 Target?

Many people obtain wrong expectations in an IT8 calibration or Colormanagement in general. It is not a guarantee for excellent scans (not even with SilverFast). It certainly is one of the most essential requirements. Being able to calibrate the scanner means being able to reproduce colors accuratly. Along with the generated ICC-Profile for your scanner you keep complete "color-control" over your workflow. Any professional printer does the same thing in order to receive accurate results.
By the way SilverFast works with any target that is compatible with the IT8.7 standard.
Included in the update price is a set of genuine LaserSoft targets. Please check this overview on our website which gives a quick and basic introduction into IT8 calibration:

https://www.silverfast.com/highlights/it8/en.html

Kind regards.

LSI_Rossee:

You said: By the way Silverfast works with any target that is compatible with the IT8.7 standard.
Included in the update price is a set of genuine LaserSoft targets. Please check this overview on our website which gives a quick and basic introduction into IT8 calibration:


Thank you for the reply. I do have other targets, (namely from the Monaco EZ Color system) but isn't it true that I must have the $150.00 upgrade in order to have the calibration feature within Silverfast? Or, have I misunderstood the issue?

Again, your help is appreciated.

In case of the 3200 Photo the IT8 calibration is optional.

Kind regards.