LaserSoft Imaging

Hello-
I'm *very* new to scanning, and my only work in the past has been with scanning old photographs.

I am looking for an intro on how to scan slides using Silverfast Ai 6 (6.4 4r6) and an Espon 10000XL. I have the machine all set up, I just don't know where to begin - settings, focus, adjusting color, etc. I basically need to scan a couple hundred old family slides and don't know where to begin. I do what I *think* I should in SF, but the slides don't look disasterous when I'm done (they seem blurry, colors a bit washed out, etc).

Let me tell ya - it's intimidating if you haven't done it before!! :-O

I guess I am looking for a "dummies guide" if you will.
Something as simple as :
Step 1. load slides
Step 2. enter these settings in SF: xxx, xxxx, xxxx,
etc

(I know that's pretty basic, but that is about where I am...)


I have looked through the full manual, and also Computer Darkroom, but didn't see anything that would really get me up to speed and start scanning slides without any background of how to begin.

Thanks so much!!

find a copy of
Katrin Eismann - Photoshop restoration and retouching ver 2 or 3
Margules - any of the Professional Photoshop series
Haynes and Crumpler - Photoshop Artistry Series

The library usually has one version or another.

If you stick with Margules all the way through, you can learn how to see the image and get the best out of it that the scanner will give you. The other books are technical tips. His background was press work, where they had to understand the image and make adjustments to get the best print without breaking the bank on ink and paper.

Also look at
www.luminous-landscape.com for hints and references.

Many of the astrophotography books are excellent primers for learning how to scan with ccd scanners since the technology is the same. My favorite is by Covington - AP for amateurs.