VueScan technical deep-dive beginner's questions

[Cameron H]

Hi Members,

I have found Range Finder Forum to have the best threads on VueScan software anywhere online.

I'm currently learning as much as possible about VueScan before I even start scanning.

I have x2 Konica Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400's (the Mach 1) and x3 AGFA SnapScan e50's (A4 flatbeds).

I'm gradually collecting scanners as I can afford them over the coming months and years. The actual collecting of the scanners is a hobby for me.

I'm trying to learn everything I can on VueScan and eventually SilverFast. I'd like to master both programs.

I'm starting to learn reflective scanning on one of my SnapScan e50's using VueScan. For example printed photographs (of which I don't have the slides/negatives for).

I have quite a number of questions about VueScan and I hope it's OK that I ask them in this thread. I have the VueScan Bible and also the Hamrick guide. I'm running the professional version.

I have successfully created ICC IT8 target profiles so far using Wolf Faust's targets.

Some of my questions are:

1) If I make a RAW linear scan must I crop the image at the time of scanning? Or can I scan the entire bed without affecting exposure and things of that nature. I know RAW linear scans ignore IT8 profiles.

I have made a number of crude images to express more clearly my meaning.

2) How can I confirm my IT8 target color profile has successfully embedded into the JPEG I created for example? I've had a look on some EXIF viewers but can't seem to be absolutely sure it's been successfully embedded.

3) What's the correct color balance option that maintains the IT8 icc profile I created? Is that Neutral, None, Auto Levels, White Balance etc.

The VueScan Bible suggests to use Neutral for the most true to original color balance. Hamrick's guide states the VueScan jpeg color balance default is White balance.

Wouldn't 'None' be more true to my ICC profile?

I do have quite a number of more questions in relation to Cropping in VueScan as well.

 

[Beemermark]

Go to hamrick.com and read the news letters, but I really just scan and do any minimal contrast / cropping in my photo editor.

 

[Scottboarding]

A lot of this is far beyond my knowledge, but I can partly answer question 1. I don't use a flatbed scanner, but on my Plustek 8100 the crop does not effect exposure or anything with a linear raw file. If I scan the entire frame or scan 10% of the frame, it will be the same exposure. It's linear raw so nothing will effect the scan brightness.

 

[Cameron H]

Thank you for the replies @Beemermark and @Scottboarding
I'll have a read of the Hamrick Newsletters. Thanks for the info about the exposure not being affected.

 

[Beemermark]

When I started using Vuescan (many, many years ago) I spent too many sleepless nights trying to find the "best" setting from all the available settings. I mostly scan B&W and finally discover that minimal adjustments was best using photo software to correct afterwards. BTW I still use google Picaso to import scans and just use the crop and contrast controls to do slight correction. I use Lightroom if I need to do more. Picasso was such a simple and good program to scan, simple correct, and catalog I don't know why they dropped it. I've never found a photo editor so simple and fast to use.

 

[Cameron H]

^Hi at Beemermark,

I'm looking into using RAW linear in VueScan as well. I like the concept of using IT8 targets. I just need to learn how to utilise IT8 targets in the Photoshop/Lightroom phase instead of the scanning phase.

I don't have that concept figured out yet. How users configure IT8 ICC profiles after the scanning phase. I find it confusing.

https://imgur.com/a/l3HBSec

https://imgur.com/a/W67wufg

https://imgur.com/a/ZcMw4JY


I made some really crude scans of my thoughts on cropping in VueScan. In relation to crop buffer % and crop border % in case anyone would like to comment.

I apologise for the amateurish presentation, however, I'm just trying to simplify concepts for myself.