LaserSoft Imaging

Hello,

after playing around with Silverfast Studio, v**s**n and Epson Scan, I'm getting a bit frustrated about how hard it is to get to the right settings in Silverfast. Sometimes it's not possible at all without taking an extra go in Photoshop.

I've created a few test scans of a tough scene shot on slide film. It uses the full dynamic range and looks quite good on the light table.

Here's a comparison between the Silverfast AI Studio version (48Bit, no adjustments at all) and the Epson Scan version (48Bit, no adjustments). Both versions are OK although the Silverfast version is a bit too blue/green compared to the slide. The Epson Scan version is closer to the original.



Now comes the confusing part. I used the auto correction in both programs - just one click. The Silverfast version (after Auto CCR) turns into an unusable version with blown out highlights and a very unnatural color shift towards green. The Epson Scan version looks better after the auto adjusments and is a good base to continue from.



Finally here is a version that I created from Epson Scan scans by combining one version with normal back light brightness and one version with increased back light brightness (Medium). This results in a very usable image that comes very close to the way the slide looks on the light table. Unfortunately there is no option (at least I can't find one) in Silverfast, where I can increase the backlight brightness to get more details out of the shadows. What I expected Multi Exposure to do, was something similar to what the manually combined version from the Epson Scan scans delivers.



These color shifts happen in all scans and clicking Auto CCR usually results in worse results than before. Starting to adjust the settings manually is a better way to get to a good result.

Here are my questions based on these observations:
*) What is wrong with Auto CCR or what am I doing wrong?
*) Why isn't Multi Exposure more powerful to get more details out of the shadows?
*) Is there an option somewhere to adjust the scanner backlight brightness like it's possible in the Epson Scan software.

Thanks,
Andreas Resch

Dear Mr Resch,

The image is much cooler because SilverFast had moved it to a more neutral view.
That is especially visible in the water.
Have you tried different auto adjustments?
If you click and hold the Auto CCR button you get a list of different adjustment types.
First thing you should try is the Auto (without CCR).

Did you calibrate the scanner?
If so make sure you are using the same profile in SilverFast and EPSON Scan.
Otherwise try is switching the input profile to the EPSON profile in the SilverFast preferences' CMS tab.
Maybe it fits your individual scanner better.

If the driver EPSON provides allows it the lamp brightness can be adjusted in the preferences' Special tab.
Unfortunately not all drivers allow this.

Kind regards,
Arne Ketelhohn.