vuescan or silverfast

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fmiller4

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I'm getting ready to buy a Plustek scanner and am wondering if it's worth the extra $$$ to get the model that comes with Silverfast AI.

I've been scanning b/w negs with Vuescan - I typically scan in the raw/dng mode, and then do all of my adjustments in PS.

Given that (little or no adjustment at the scanning stage) am I going to see a difference in the silverfast software?

Or should I just save my money and get the less expensive version of the scanner (same hardware - different software)?

Thanks!
 
Hi fmiller4,

welcome to the forum!

VueScan is a great piece of software and I cannot imagine how Silverfast could improve on it.

If it were me, I'd get the cheaper scanner and get VueScan Pro with it, offers lifelong updates and will set you back some USD 80.

Silverfast does not offer a lifelong update service, IIRC.

Maybe other members can fill in the gaps.

Post some shots when you've scanned them!
 
I did this same thing awhile back. I purchased Silverfast. I liked it's ease of use and lack of a steep learning curve to get decent looking scans into the system. What happened though is then a few short months later I upgraded my scanner. Guess what I had to repurchase Silverfast. I thought a long time about it before I purchased it again. During that time I used VueScan. The interface is quirky and I have not been able to coax a finished product like I could from Silverfast. Since I use photoshop anyways it fits my workflow quite well though and you can't beat the price or the support that you receive.
 
Keep using vuescan and use the way you are doing already. Scanning raw and using adobe software for adjustments makes a lot of sense. This way you can apply any fancy tricks that they come up with in future to your scans. No scanning software has that much versatility.
 
^^ True.

My scans are either TIFF or DNG. Lots of info to work on in Lightroom and also able to tweak further in Photoshop when needed.

Get a big (network) storage drive that supports RAID to make sure your large files can easily and safely be stored and you'll be fine.
 
I am no slouch on the computer, and have done plenty of successful battle with open source apps with poor or no documentation.

However, I could not get Silverfast to do anything I wanted, even following the documentation as slavishly as I could!

Vuescan, while it has funny quirks and bugs, gets the job done. As Johan stated, it also provides raw TIFF output to import to Photoshop. That said, with my current level of skill in PS, I usually cannot improve significantly over the tweaks already available in Vuescan.

Randy
 
Sick with Vuescan!
Silverfast is a pain in the neck to use.
Also if you upgrade your OS Silverfast requires you to buy an entire new version for top dollar. Also if you have more than one scanner or change scanner later. You again have to buy the full version.

Further many Mac users have big problems using this software..
 
zauhar said:
I am no slouch on the computer, and have done plenty of successful battle with open source apps with poor or no documentation.

However, I could not get Silverfast to do anything I wanted, even following the documentation as slavishly as I could!

Vuescan, while it has funny quirks and bugs, gets the job done. As Johan stated, it also provides raw TIFF output to import to Photoshop. That said, with my current level of skill in PS, I usually cannot improve significantly over the tweaks already available in Vuescan.

Randy
Click to expand...



Yup I am an IT consultant dedicated to Apple Macintosh. Can't get the darn software to work reliably either.
 
AlexanderR said:
Silverfast 8 studio SE is a breeze to use. New interface, almost no learning curve (at least I didn't think so). I have no experience with Vuescan.

You can download the quick guide to SF 8 here: http://www.silverfast.com/documentation/en.html

Works like a champ on my iMac running OSX Lion v10.7.2.

Give it a look and decide for yourself.
Click to expand...

Very pleased to hear that.
If I could only test it.
Still I don't support their strategy off supporting only one printer per license and making us buy a new version when upgrading to a new OS X....
 
I like Vuescan. It supports camera/film profiles and can output in your favorite color space. I use Ekta Space, which is a very wide gamut profile.

It also will provide multiple exposure scanning - a kind of HDR scan using a longer exposure on the second scan of the same image. That's great for getting detail out of dense dark slides, or highlights in B&W negs. In Silverfast, you have to buy one of the higher end versions to get that feature.

Using its RAW output, you can scan rolls and rolls of film, then convert them in one batch move into TIFF or DNG files for editing.

I have two Nikon scanners (CS5000, CS9000), and only bought the Vuescan once. If there are any hitches, just wait a week or two, and he'll fix it. It's a great deal.
 
for $600 (I have a 35/MF and Epson flatbed) in upgrades, I think I will learn how to use Vuescan, which I already own. I thought SF did a good job, but I would need to upgrade because of new Mac OS and incompatibility of previous version.
 
Vue Scanner installing Help need

Vue Scanner installing Help need

Hello there,

I have recently bought the VueScan as My Nikon Coolscan stop working with the MacOs X Lion. But I have a problem to do the initial set up with the serial no and the account registration. As there's no customer service or other contacts to get some help.

When I contacted Hamrik ,several times I got an auto E-mail reply which dose not help me .

Finally I ended up down loading the trial version., and then paying money for Vue scan Pro for nothing. That trial version Vuescans gives water marks. I don't know what is happening. I have seen lot of praising and long list of better service of this products and their customer services.

Anyone can help me to lead to their after sales services or how to contact Hrmrik who sells this VueScan please.

Thank you for your advise and any kind of helping in this matter.

Thanks.

Cjay.😕
 
If you have lost your original Vuescan serial number, you can get a new one by using this link. I recently wrote Mr. Hamrick with a question about choosing a new scanner, and he was very helpful. He gets over 100 emails a day, so if you need to write him make sure your question is brief and concise.

Good luck.
 
Cyriljay said:
Hello there,

I have recently bought the VueScan as My Nikon Coolscan stop working with the MacOs X Lion. But I have a problem to do the initial set up with the serial no and the account registration. As there's no customer service or other contacts to get some help.

When I contacted Hamrik ,several times I got an auto E-mail reply which dose not help me .

Finally I ended up down loading the trial version., and then paying money for Vue scan Pro for nothing. That trial version Vuescans gives water marks. I don't know what is happening. I have seen lot of praising and long list of better service of this products and their customer services.

Anyone can help me to lead to their after sales services or how to contact Hrmrik who sells this VueScan please.

Thank you for your advise and any kind of helping in this matter.

Thanks.

Cjay.😕
Click to expand...

Be patient, Ed is in the process of moving to the US for the winter months so he may be backed up in answering emails.
 
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