Lightroom doesn't open TIFF files from my ProScan 7200

[Expatinprogress]

Hi,

I am scanning my first bunch of negatives with the Reflecta ProScan 7200. I'm using the default software -Cyberview X-, which is being very easy to handle and so far showing good results. I know I should use the SilverFast in order to squeeze the performance of this scanner, but that's another story.

Well, the thing is that when I try to import my TIFF files on Lightroom it doesn't recognize them: "Preview for this file not available" and "the following files couldn't be read".
Any idea why this happens?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

It may very well be that you're saving the TIFF file with non-standard options. Use either uncompressed, ZIP or LZW compression.

Hard to know for sure without more technical info from your side. Good luck!

 

[Expatinprogress]

The software doesn't give any options when saving the files. You may either save them on JPG or TIFF, any other compression options available. I start thinking it might be the way the software works. Well, I' afraid I will have to use PS for a while until changing software.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Interesting that a scanning software would not give you options for this. Since I'm not familiar with the software, I have no way of confirming this. Hopefully your manual says something about it.

I'd also check if it's by default saving four-channel (RGB + infrared) instead of three-channel (RGB only) files. Very common mistake with first-time users of an IR-channel capable scanner.

 

[Expatinprogress]

Thanks Gabriel, I just read the software's manual and says TIFF option generates an uncompressed file and 'without losses' (whatever that means). I am using the 8 bits option at 3600 ppi and saves 'RGB only'.

 

[mugent]

If you are using a Mac, you could try opening the file in Preview, and re-saving it, see if that sorts it out.

Moray

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Another option would be to download a program like Vuescan with more control over your output options. Vuescan, which is not expensive and which works with a wide variety of scanners, can be found here:

http://www.hamrick.com/

Ben

 

[Expatinprogress]

I already tried to re-saving through preview but nothing. It seems I will have to change software. I will try Vuescan

 

[johannielscom]

Are you scanning in 16-bit or 48-bit color depth? From what I read online (just did a quick search) it will work fine if you use 16-bit or 48-bit, apparently the CyberView X software is also capable of other bit depths that might foul Lightroom import...?

Anyway, if you want to try VueScan I can wholeheartedly recommend it. I have a Mediax 3600PRO and it has the same internals as the Reflecta's, a Pacific Image Enterprise (PIE) machine. For those machines you need to install CyberView X for drivers if you plan to use VueScan, but since you already have CyberView X installed, using VueScan should be easy as pie... 😀

 

[Expatinprogress]

Thanks buzzardkid, I am actually using 8-bit scann but I will try 16-bit to see if it works for Lightroom. That sounds like another vote for Vuescan then. Thanks for your advises.

 

[MaxElmar]

It's only a slight exaggeration to say you might as well use a jpg with minimum compression if you are going to use 8 bit.

Be prepared for the scans to get a lot bigger when you go to 16 bit. But that's the deal. You'll have LOTS more data to work with!

 

[Expatinprogress]

Thanks MaxElmar. I am gonna need an extra hard-drive. At the end, it seems that putting analog into digital requires more resources.