epson scan (v3.0) software scan options

[ampguy]

I'm using a V100 scanner with the included Epson Scan v3. Is there a benefit to using any of the features in the Pro mode, as opposed to using software later?

For example, the unsharp mask does make the negatives look better in the preview, but could is it better to sharpen it during the negative scan, or later with software on the scanned file?

Currently I'm using 48 bit, 3200, with no other options enabled, but am curious if others have found if some options are better applied during the scan, as opposed to later in the process.

Currently working with 1999 C41 color print negatives, slightly faded.

 

[rogue_designer]

I turn of any auto sharpening, exposure, whatever.

The only thing I do first is set my black and white points (but trying to keep the contrast lowish - and adjusting in PS later).

That works well for BW, color is always trickier.

 

[ampguy]

Thanks!

Thanks!

The weird thing is that scanning at 48, 3200 color files are only about 1-2MB scans, while previously at 48, 2400 and with software boxes checked, the scans were 3-5MB in file size??

I turn of any auto sharpening, exposure, whatever.

The only thing I do first is set my black and white points (but trying to keep the contrast lowish - and adjusting in PS later).

That works well for BW, color is always trickier.

 

[payasam]

I have the same scanner and use it almost exclusively in "professional" mode. The files I get, however, are a good bit larger than yours.

 

[Pherdinand]

i don't know what u r doing that u get only 1-2 mb files.

A 48-bit 2400 dpi scan of a 35mm frame for me ends up somewhere around 20 megabytes. (I suppose you are talking about the raw scanned file in TIFF, not a compressed JPEG. The JPEG size will depend on the compression level, and it's 24 bit only.)

I use ICE whenever i want to keep larger versions of the image - it does magic on c41 and slide.

Sometimes with c41 the colour recovery or whatever it is called, is useful.

 

[ampguy]

Thanks Payasam and Pherdinand. I am outputting to JPG, and did move the slider from quality 1 to 10 or since my last scan session.

So when scanning to JPG, there is no benefit of 48 bit over 24, what about 3200 res over 2400?

Does anyone know what the drugstores, Costco, or dedicated labs use on their settings for scans? I like the Costco scans which are JPGs, but larger than most drugstore scan sizes.

 

[lZr]

Also I use my scanner in PRO mode only and all options off. I suggest to check th Gama setting to be as your screen Gama (mine = 2.2 for Win). You can adjust everything after scanning. Sharpness is the very last step in image manipulation if at all.
While scanning look down the thumb window to idebtify the dimensions of the image and its size in kbytes. Scanning at 48 bit results megs of size and not 1-2 mbyte. Usually I scan at 1200 dpi, good enough for anything you may want except big prints.

 

[ampguy]

Thanks Lazar

Thanks Lazar

I'll try your tips. The reason for my small sizes was JPGs and lower than highest quality. I'm sure my next scans will be higher, but because of JPG compression, still relatively small compared to an uncompressed format.

Thanks!

Also I use my scanner in PRO mode only and all options off. I suggest to check th Gama setting to be as your screen Gama (mine = 2.2 for Win). You can adjust everything after scanning. Sharpness is the very last step in image manipulation if at all.
While scanning look down the thumb window to idebtify the dimensions of the image and its size in kbytes. Scanning at 48 bit results megs of size and not 1-2 mbyte. Usually I scan at 1200 dpi, good enough for anything you may want except big prints.

 

[lZr]

As you may know, our flatbad scanners are not usable over 2400 dpi. You got big files, but no more data in. Scan twice for 2400 and 3200 or 4800 , crop small areas and check the samples at 100%. If you see more data, let us know. I can't see any advantage for 3200 dpi. My scanner is Epson 4990,.

 

[ampguy]

Thanks again Lazar

Thanks again Lazar

Good info.

Thanks.

As you may know, our flatbad scanners are not usable over 2400 dpi. You got big files, but no more data in. Scan twice for 2400 and 3200 or 4800 , crop small areas and check the samples at 100%. If you see more data, let us know. I can't see any advantage for 3200 dpi. My scanner is Epson 4990,.

 

[kaiyen]

I find that my 4490 maxes out at about 2400 as well, and that's what I scan at. I turn everything off, scan in pro mode (well, I use Vuescan now, but you get the idea), and make sure my black and white points are pulled all the way to the edges. I don't even set them, so to speak. I want maximum range out of the scanner.

Sharpening should be applied at the processing level after capture. But then another round of output sharpening should be used based on the size of intended output. So really you need two rounds of sharpening.

But my fundamental recommendation is to get Vuescan...

 

[ampguy]

Thanks Allan

Thanks Allan

I'll consider Vuescan. For now I'm just finding misc. old negatives and occasional old prints to archive.

So if I find an old negative, and want to scan and output to 8x10 at Costco, should I sharpen while scanning the negative, and again with say Picasa before sending the file to Costco, or pass on the sharpen during negative scan, and only sharpen in Picasa?

Thanks!

I find that my 4490 maxes out at about 2400 as well, and that's what I scan at. I turn everything off, scan in pro mode (well, I use Vuescan now, but you get the idea), and make sure my black and white points are pulled all the way to the edges. I don't even set them, so to speak. I want maximum range out of the scanner.

Sharpening should be applied at the processing level after capture. But then another round of output sharpening should be used based on the size of intended output. So really you need two rounds of sharpening.

But my fundamental recommendation is to get Vuescan...

 

[kaiyen]

what are you using to send the file to Costco? I'd scan w/o sharpening, then sharpen just a bit in Picasa (I had no idea Picasa had sharpening capability). Just to bring a bit of detail out, no more. Then based on what size you want to output you need to sharpen differently. Ideal solution is complicated...but you can approximate.

 

[ampguy]

Just uploading JPGs to the web site

Just uploading JPGs to the web site

I just go to the photo site of costco.com and upload big JPGs.

I check and crop for the output size (2/3, 4/5, etc.) and if needed, do minimal adjustments for fill, contrast, and occasional sharpening or b/w filtered conversion in Picasa.

what are you using to send the file to Costco? I'd scan w/o sharpening, then sharpen just a bit in Picasa (I had no idea Picasa had sharpening capability). Just to bring a bit of detail out, no more. Then based on what size you want to output you need to sharpen differently. Ideal solution is complicated...but you can approximate.

 

[kaiyen]

I think in your workflow you probably are best just doing a general sharpening in picasa and leaving it at that.