Maximizing Resolution on Epson V750-M Pro

[bwcolor]

My Epson arrives tomorrow and I'm using it to bulk scan and organize in Aperture. These files will act as photobook/sharing and as proofs for selected negatives to be scanned on a 9000. I have virtually unlimited storage space and lots of processing power, with very fast raid arrays so I don't mind large files. How do I maximize resolution and dynamic range and minimize noise?

Specifically:

Do I scan at 6000dpi and then downres, or do I just scan at a lower, more realistic resolution?

Have you found Betterscanning ANR Glass / Height adjustable holder to be worth the effort with 35mm. I'm picking it up for MF for sure, but 35mm use means that I scan fewer negs at a time?

Any other tips, such as is it better to use the included OEM/limited edition Silverfast (I'll never buy the full version.), or just pay for Vuescan and call it a day?

Thanks in advance... I'm expecting a steep learning curve.

Gary

 

[stephaneb]

Betterscanning ANR glass and careful heigth adjustment have a noticable effect on resolution, giving a usable 2000dpi. I personnaly scan at 3200 with the V750 and than downsize to 2400 in Photoshop using the bilinear algorythm. I find that the grain does not decrease proportionally when I downsize with bicubic.

 

[martin s]

Betterscanning ANR glass and careful heigth adjustment have a noticable effect on resolution, giving a usable 2000dpi. I personnaly scan at 3200 with the V750 and than downsize to 2400 in Photoshop using the bilinear algorythm. I find that the grain does not decrease proportionally when I downsize with bicubic.

With what purpose? Do you print those files, or merely for archival?

martin

 

[bwcolor]

and are you saying that when you downres grain becomes more noticeable?

 

[stephaneb]

With what purpose? Do you print those files, or merely for archival?

martin

So, I scan at 3200 because it is a native resolution for the Epson. It cannot scan at 2400. Then I downsize because there is not meaningful information above 2400. Printing generally involves a final downsizing depending on the print size.

 

[bwcolor]

OK, meaningful resolution was what I was looking for. scan at 3200 and downres to 2400dpi sounds like what I was looking for. I have my kit from Betterscanning.

 

[J. Borger]

So, I scan at 3200 because it is a native resolution for the Epson. It cannot scan at 2400. Then I downsize because there is not meaningful information above 2400. Printing generally involves a final downsizing depending on the print size.

I scan at 2400 with the Epson V700, which should be similar. Are you suggesting Epson software upsizes or downsizes to get to that 2400?
And if so did you test if scanning at 3200 and dowsizing in PS gets better results?

Thanks in advance!

 

[stephaneb]

When you select 2400 in the Epson software (or in VueScan or Silverfast), the scanner scans at 3200 and then downsize. I have not done precise tests. Photoshop gives me a choice in the resizing method and I am happy with the way bilinear works for downsizing B&W images with grain.

 

[J. Borger]

When you select 2400 in the Epson software (or in VueScan or Silverfast), the scanner scans at 3200 and then downsize. I have not done precise tests. Photoshop gives me a choice in the resizing method and I am happy with the way biliear works for downsizing B&W images with grain.

Thank... i'll give it a try!

 

[martin s]

Now that is really interesting. I don't have the scanner with me right now, do tell though, does it take the same time to scan at both 3200 and 2400? I actually scan at 1200, but I generally print in the darkroom whatever I like.

martin