Best software for your film scanner on a Mac?

[Pirate]

I have the MacBook Pro with OS X and a CanoScan 8800F.

I've been reading a lot that the Canon software isn't that great. So, for those who use a Scanner and a Mac, what's your recommended software?

 

[wlewisiii]

I use the Epson software with that scanner. I use silverfast with my Umax but only because I have no other choice. It works but that's about as kind as I care to be about it.

 

[FPjohn]

Positive to what doublenegative said.

yours
FPJ

 

[damien.murphy]

I have a Canon 8800F, and use Vuescan. I cannot comment on it's functionlity compared to other software, as I only use it to get the raw data from the scanner. From there, I use a mixture of Lightroom and Photoshop elements to crop, level and sharpen the scanned images.

Using Vuescan in the above manner has restored my sanity, which had been drained from trying to strong arm scanning software in order to do what I wanted. It is bliss.

EDIT: For what it's worth, I've used Scangear, Vuescan and Silverfast. Maybe I'm a minimalist, but nothing was worth the torture of putting in prolonged hours with disappointing results from wrestling with Vuescan or Silverfast. I would have been happy with Scangear, but it just wouldn't give me what I wanted - a 16 bit, unadjusted Tiff which I can then use capable, user-friendly software to get what I ultimately want from the image.

 

[Pirate]

damien.murphy, that's all I'm trying to do is grab the RAW image from the scanner!

Thanks guys.

 

[damien.murphy]

By the way, I should add my main incentive in adopting Vuescan, was mainly that I would never need to learn to use any other crappy scanning software, by choosing this one crappy piece of software. Just buy a professional license, put in some hours to get the basics down, and never worry again.

 

[nightfly]

I've always used the Epson Twain driver from within Photoshop, which is basically Epson Scan but when you're done, everything is in Photoshop. Works fine for my needs. Never desired anything else.

 

[al1966]

Forgot to mention - on the Mac you can also use Image Capture.

I was forced to try to use image capture as epson did not update their software for snow-leopard:bang::bang::bang:, I would not wish that punishment on anyone, I bought Vuescan and am happy as can be.

 

[healyzh]

When I got the new system, it had 10.6 on it, so my existing Epson software wouldn't work. I bought a copy of Vuescan, and am happy as can be. Not only does it work better with my ancient Epson 2450, but it has me using the Nikon Coolscan IV ED I have sitting here and loving it (I never could get past that Nikon software).

 

[Rogier]

I use the same scanner and am very happy with it.

Ditch the disks and download the latest version directly from the canon website. It works very well.
You can also use the image capture application that is located in the Applications folder of your mac. Its basic but works perfectly fine.
All the other tweaks can be done with your favorite image editing program.

 

[tokengirl]

There is no "best." Just varying degrees of "crappy." This applies to Windows, too. 😉

What he said.

VueScan is the least offensive.

Silverfast should be reserved for people who enjoy activities such as pushing water uphill with a fork.

 

[al1966]

@al1966;

I only used Image Capture once or twice for some reason (I think just to actually try it). It's been a while, so I don't remember the details... It did work okay, though it's not the most extensive program out there! 😛

Weird that EpsonSCAN hasn't been working for the Snow Leopard folks. Are you sure? I'm using it without issue, but of course now I'm going to have to triple check...

On the by-and-by, here's a good one. Silverfast on the Mac crashes with a Firewire connection, but not USB. Why? No idea. Updates and upgrades haven't changed a thing in this regard.

Depends on the scanner,older scanners are not covered:bang: and as I basically use it as a contact sheet medium, I dont want to spend a load out on a new scanner. For printing I hire a drum scanner😀

 

[wray]

I use Epson Scan with Snow Leopard with no issues. Just make sure you have the latest (Jan 13 2011) Epson Printer Drivers v2.5.1 for Mac OS X v10.6 from Apple installed! These are for both Epson's printers and scanners.

 

[dcsang]

Nikon Scan 4 on my Mac Pro - I've also tested it and it ran fine on my Macbook Pro - the Mac Pro is still running Tiger. The MackBook Pro is running Snow Leopard.

I don't know what's going to happen when Serengeti Cheetah or Short Haired Domestic get released . . . . 😀

Dave

 

[Paddy C]

I've found Vuescan to be very good. Better than Epsonscan and I didn't like Silverfast when I tried it though it may be good once you learn the ins and outs.

Look around the webs for some tutorials on Vuescan, especially locking exposure and you should be in good shape.

I also agree that you want to limit yourself to one program. Get to know it and how to get best out of your scanner/software combo.