I've got a Nikon 9000ED on the way, a few questions...

[brbo]

This is super-interesting info! I wasn't able to use the IR channel within PS as of now. Could you explain how exactly do you perform the threshold correction (the 1st step)? Also how do you import the RAW tiff from Vuescan into Photoshop (without deleting the alpha channel)? Do you go through CameraRAW without a problem? Thank you!

I don't use CameraRaw (what is it?). I just open raw vuescan tiff file in PS.

I'm not at home so this is from memory:

- when you have opened the raw tiff in PS, select alpha channel
- go to 'Image - Adjustment - Threshold'
- move the slider so that you only see emulsion defects (it helps if you first set the canvas magnification high enough that you can see emulsion defects and observe how the threshold is working on your IR channel)

 

[brbo]

The suggestion of using the IR channel as a mask and then a content-aware fill is very creative. I'll have to try it out. So far I am just using the save raw output with feature to get rid of dust. It works well enough for me.

Just recently I revisited the Vuescan's "ICE" (when hearing that people actually use it) and found out that the most aggressive filtering option worked best (contrary to the widely adopted suggestion that the lightest filtering works best). Maybe Vuescan changed something (it's been years since I last used it's IR cleanup) or this was just down to a particular type of film that worked best with the heaviest filtering?

 

[philipus]

I'm afraid I can't help. I have always used digital ICE, and at the lowest setting, and find that it is sufficient for my purposes. I don't see that it would "soften" the image much if anything. In any event, I always process my images with sharpening added at various stages.

Just recently I revisited the Vuescan's "ICE" (when hearing that people actually use it) and found out that the most aggressive filtering option worked best (contrary to the widely adopted suggestion that the lightest filtering works best). Maybe Vuescan changed something (it's been years since I last used it's IR cleanup) or this was just down to a particular type of film that worked best with the heaviest filtering?

 

[analogangler]

I use VueScan with the 9000 ED and find the combination quite good, once you figure out where everything you need is in VueScan. I found the VueScan Bible helped a lot in explaining where things are and some of the logic behind how the program works. Once you do find everything you can conveniently save it as a preset which makes things easier later.

Note that while VueScan may not be the most polished piece of code, it receives frequent updates and so the VueScan Bible may not match the current user experience in all cases. Also note that you get these updates as part of your pro-level purchase. It's nice to see that the software is being actively maintained and even better that you don't have to shell out every time a new version comes along.

I've used the VueScan dust reduction on light and not noticed any issues...minimizes the dust though if you look hard you can see where it was...but may try higher levels based on the comments above. Always best to get it off beforehand...to this end I use anti-static gloves, a blower, and a hard light to inspect prior to insertion.

I'd also note that one feature I've found invaluable for slides is the multiple-exposure mode, which will run 2 passes, one normal and one with increased exposure for the shadows. I find this really helps pick out the subtle details in the dense areas of positives.

Just my $0.02 - happy scanning!

 

[pomozwi]

I have been using a 5000 ED and Nikon Scan 4.03 for about 8 years now starting with Win XP and then Win7 64 Pro and currently Win 10 64 Pro.

Currently using a Dell notebook, Win 10 64 Pro. Some say that Nikon Scan 4 will not work on Windows machines beyond XP. Not True. I have an alternate set of driver files but I have not needed them. I only installed Scan 4 about 2 weeks ago and it's working fine.

I also have Vuescan but haven't taken the time to get to grips with it yet.

 

[andrewnelles]

Well I finally got my 9000ED. I ordered from a seller in Greece and unfortunately the first 9000ED got crushed and destroyed in shipping. Luckily he had a second one to send, and it just arrived tonight.

I did a quick test to confirm it's functions using the FH-869GR holder. The scans looks great, but I did get some Newton Rings on the scan. I was scanning 6x9 using the appropriate mask. The film did have some curve to it. A link to the photo is below, you can see some rings in the hair and just to the right of the face. Any tips on avoiding those in the future?

http://andrewnellesphoto.com/hosted/9000ed.jpg

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Well I finally got my 9000ED. I ordered from a seller in Greece and unfortunately the first 9000ED got crushed and destroyed in shipping. Luckily he had a second one to send, and it just arrived tonight.

I did a quick test to confirm it's functions using the FH-869GR holder. The scans looks great, but I did get some Newton Rings on the scan. I was scanning 6x9 using the appropriate mask. The film did have some curve to it. A link to the photo is below, you can see some rings in the hair and just to the right of the face. Any tips on avoiding those in the future?

http://andrewnellesphoto.com/hosted/9000ed.jpg

If the film touches the bottom glass, you'll get the newton's rings. If the film you have has a curve that curves downward, causing it to touch the bottom glass, scan the film upside down then flip it in photoshop. That will make the film curve up totouch the top glass, which is textured to prevent newton's rings.

 

[Corran]

For those mentioning that Nikon Scan 4 won't work past Windows XP - you're right, with stock Nikon drivers. I modified said drivers to work with Windows 7 for a friend who bought an LS-9000.

If someone is wanting to upgrade to Win7 and use Nikon Scan (which I preferred over VueScan myself) I might be willing to mail you some drivers. A donation of a roll of film might be appreciated 😉. I'll have to go through my notes and files to find it.

 

[jonmanjiro]

For those mentioning that Nikon Scan 4 won't work past Windows XP - you're right, with stock Nikon drivers. I modified said drivers to work with Windows 7 for a friend who bought an LS-9000.

If someone is wanting to upgrade to Win7 and use Nikon Scan (which I preferred over VueScan myself) I might be willing to mail you some drivers. A donation of a roll of film might be appreciated 😉. I'll have to go through my notes and files to find it.

Ummm, I'm using Nikon Scan 4 on Windows 7 with stock Nikon drivers 🙂

More specifically, I'm using Nikon Scan 4.0.3, which was made for Windows Vista, on a Windows 7 Professional 32 bit system.

The only function that doesn't work like it used to on Windows XP is ICE. Going straight to scanning with ICE turned on results in a scanning error. There is a workaround though > instead of going straight to scanning with ICE turned on, first Preview each scan with ICE turned on and then you can scan each scan with ICE turned on. Batch scanning works for both Preview and Scan operations and the total scan time works out to be around what it used to take to scan a full roll on XP with ICE turned on, albeit in two steps instead of one.

I know there's a fairly simple way to hack the drivers so they work on Windows 7 64 bit, but I haven't needed to tackle that yet. Maybe one day.

 

[Corran]

Ah, 32-bit. Perhaps it did not work for me stock because I have a 64-bit system. I never tried on a 32-bit Win7 install. So you are only using 4GB of RAM? Ouch.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Ah, 32-bit. Perhaps it did not work for me stock because I have a 64-bit system. I never tried on a 32-bit Win7 install. So you are only using 4GB of RAM? Ouch.

Yes. I needed a 32 bit operating system for other software. With my basic image editing needs, 4GB of RAM is sufficient.

 

[pomozwi]

Like jonmanjiro I'm using Nikon Scan 4.0.3, named ns403en_vista.exe which, from memory I downloaded from a Nikon website, (file is dated over 5 years ago).

This copy of NS installs and runs under Win 10 Pro 64 bit without additional drivers.

 

[Corran]

There must be something different with the architecture of Win10 64-bit. Good to know that works. I am running Win10 on my Surface Book but no longer have an 8000 or 9000 but have access to my friend's.