LaserSoft Imaging

I used to have a Spyder (lost it); and thinking about calibrating (well, obviously not just thinking, but going to go ahead) and "matching up" the various input and output profiles. So, my question is, I'm liking the new colormunki interface a lot more than Spyder's, but:

What is the most seamless, easy, accurate workflow to use the V750 film scanners to output to inkjet on the Mac?
] I'm thinking: a) setup, b) every month calibrate the monitor, print out a target, read it and calibrate the printer and scanner. c) done.

IT8 targets? Which colorimeter? Which transparency targets (since the Kodak ones seem cheaper, should I just start shooting Ektachrome again?) Do I need a IT8 scanner target too? Recommendations? Basically, I'm asking, "what is the bare minimum equipment have you purchased for calibration?" "What could you do without?" What else may I be missing?

I'm not a prepress shop so I don't have 5 or 6 figures to spend. Think low 3-figures.

Thanks!

Dear iomatic,

SilverFast offers full IT8 and printer output calibration.
<https://www.silverfast.com/highlights/printer-calibration/en.html>

kind regards,
Arne Ketelhohn

Thanks.

Here's another rephrasing of the question:
What are the costs and equipment to have a good/better/best workflow with the bundled SilverFast AI and the V750M? I.e., I don't know what else I'll need, or if I need any other additional items. Obviously, prefer to keep costs low, but will scale if there is a minimum threshold to purchase. colormunki vs. Spyder vs. other? Which IT8 if I'm shooting transparency? Do I need yet another target for the printer (I'm guessing and hoping not)?

Sorry for sounding stupid.

Thanks!

For Output(printer) calibration you need an reflective target to calibrate the scanner.

If you also want to calibrate your transparency scanning you need an additional transparent target.
For calibrated Kodachrome scanning you would need a special Kodachrome target.

A certain size of target is not required. Larger Targets are only more resistant to handling damage.

The only thing we do not offer is a calibration system for you monitor.

kind regards
Arne Ketelhohn

Yes, I understand Silverfast is focused on scanner software and calibration in that realm. Are there any recommendations (not certification or endorsement) for the smoothest workflow for monitor calibration with Silverfast? Good/better/best? I imagine this is about a third of the issue (the other being input device, and output (i.e., printer) that has to be addressed. Do the printers need to have a calibrated target measured via the scanner, or would that create problems (or is that actually the best method?)

Last question: SilverFast can only control the scanner via USB?
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/ ... ostcount=6

Thanks!

Dear iomatic0

iomatic wrote:Are there any recommendations (not certification or endorsement) for the smoothest workflow for monitor calibration with Silverfast? Good/better/best?

No, so far we use spyder 3 but we have not really tested any other solutions, so we can not really make any recommendations. I believe the most important thing is to use an application that makes standard color profiles.

iomatic wrote:Do the printers need to have a calibrated target measured via the scanner, or would that create problems (or is that actually the best method?)

Yes, to generate a profile for the printer you basically need a target printed by the device you want to calibrate and then measured using any device for that purpose. In the case of the printer calibration in SilverFast the scanner is used to measure the printed target.

You can find a very detailed explanation of the entire workflow here: http://www.silverfast.com/download/docu/printercalibration_en_2008-11-17.pdf

iomatic wrote:Last question: SilverFast can only control the scanner via USB?

Absolutely Not true, SilverFast can control the scanner using FireWire, of course provided that the scanner has that connection. On the mac os X 10.5 and 10.6 there might be a conflict with the FireWire network connection but it is easily solved by deleting that connection from the network list and starting the computer again.

Cheers