New scanner, so far so good

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markinlondon

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I've just received an Epson v700 scanner. so far I'm very impressed with the quality of output once I've tweaked slightly. Does anyone have any opinions re Epsonscan vs Silverfast? So far I've been using Epsonscan with good results.
 

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I just can't get SilverFast to do what I want it to. Main problem is batch scanning; it can't work out that there are lots of small frames present and just scans the whole thing as one huge frame.

TBH I can't see much wrong with the EpsonScan results so I gave up on SilverFast pretty quickly.

I assume you'll have read the comments on photo-i about reversing the little 'legs' on the slide and neg holders?

Jamie
 
I think most people find EpsonScan pretty good after working their way up the learning curve AND if they are only doing minimal tweaks during scanning while saving major tweaking for Photoshop.

>> just can't get SilverFast to do what I want it to. Main problem is batch scanning; it can't work out that there are lots of small frames present and just scans the whole thing as one huge frame.<<

Are you just using the SE version of Silverfast? If so, it doesn't allow for scanning more than one frame at a time. One of the "special" features of the "special edition". If you are using Ai, then you need to use the job manager.

Mark, you images are looking nice :)

Doug
 
I meant to add that Silverfast SE does have the 48 bit HDR mode which produces a raw-like/unmanipulated scan direct from the scanner. The scans will be flat but all of the information direct from the CCD will be there and you can then tweak in Photoshop knowing that nothing was clipped.

Doug
 
Thanks for the tips re Silverfast, Doug. Epsonscan seems to be giving me nice, slightly flat scans with plenty of information that clean up nicely in PSE. I think I'll stick with it as the batch scanning is just too handy for words. The ability to produce a contact sheet using the film area guide is great too.
 
Hi Mark,

I like my V700 and also use Epson in preference to Silverfast. I don't use the thumbnail function for scanning though ... it clips too much off the 24 x 36 negs for my liking. Creating accurate frames manually is a little time consuming but once you've done it a few times it gets easier ... slowing the mouse speed down a bit helped. I can't wait to start using mine for scanning the negs from my Crown Graphic! :)
 
Keith, I've found the cropping with the thumbnail view a bit aggresive too. I like the fact that you can copy a marquee, so once you've got one full frame selection you can just copy it and drop it onto the next frame.

I tried Jamie's tip above re the film holder legs, and blow me if I didn't get sharper scans immediately.

Another sample

Further testing with Epsonscan suggests that I won't be using Silverfast unless I get really problematic frames to scan. This machine is producing better scans than a Canoscan FS2710 I used to use and is easily exceeding what my old flatbed could do with prints. I must get some of these files sent to a good printer to see what they're like.
 
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