Scanning software

Andysnap

Andysnap

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Andy Grant
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At the moment I just use the software that came with my Epson V500 would buying one of the other scanning software packages make a large difference? And if so which would you recommend?

Cheers

Andy
 
I use vuescan. The interface is a bit counter-intuitive but much better than silverfast. Once you get the hang of it its very powerful.
 
I use vuescan. It can be a bit niggly with the odd bug but it generally works very well.
 
Thanks folks, Vuescan's looking fave so far.....
 
Andy, I must say I do like the epson software itself, its certainly the easiest to use from the get go, but, like the others, with a bit of tinkering, vuescan is rather good.
Yes, its not as easy straight off as the epson software, but I found it a ton easier to get to grips with than silverfast.
 
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:plusone: For Vuescan. There is also a book now which is also linked to on the Vuescan site. I would agree with the above comments, although there is a 'simple' mode to get you going.

I first got into Vuescan when my Epson scanner was no longer supported by Epson when I updated to Win7. The effort put into learning Vuescan will last you longer when updating scanners /OSs.
 
OK, Vuescan it is then. Any need to get the pro version or is the basic one ok for just neg scanning?

Andy
 
Andysnap said:
OK, Vuescan it is then. Any need to get the pro version or is the basic one ok for just neg scanning?

Andy
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I read somewhere the basicest version is free now too, but that's not really terribly different from just using the epson software
 
Andysnap said:
OK, Vuescan it is then. Any need to get the pro version or is the basic one ok for just neg scanning?

Andy
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From what I can see the pro version will give you 'lifetime' updates colour profiles and RAW scanning. Worth the extra probably. I'm thinking of moving to it as Nikon Scan doesn't work with the latest OSX.
 
I use Vuescan, upgraded it to pro after being impressed with the results from the free version, then read a couple of online tutorials on how to get even better results and now everything looks a bit muddy when I scan. :(

I need to return to default settings and start again, though first I really should take some more photographs.
 
I've got an Epson V500 with the Epson Scan software and Vuescan and i use the Epson Scan software for all my scans, it's quick, easy to learn and does the job. I get the feeling Vuescan might be better for slide film scanning but **** me if i can figure out how to achieve that, i'm sure Vuescan has the functionality but the interface is appalling and obscures any benefits it might bestow.

The key to using the Epson Scan is to use professional mode, turn off the ICE and sharpening etc. and just tweak the histogram for each image to get it right, this is a nice quick little guide to what i mean, http://photo-utopia.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/scanning-with-epson-v500.html
 
I've been using vuescan for about 8 months and it's pretty good once you get the hang of it. I've used epson scan and the silverfast (trial version) and much prefer the vuescan interface and the amount of control it offers.
 
Morinaka said:
The key to using the Epson Scan is to use professional mode, turn off the ICE and sharpening etc. and just tweak the histogram for each image to get it right, this is a nice quick little guide to what i mean, http://photo-utopia.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/scanning-with-epson-v500.html
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Yep, same here. I just wondered if there was a better way. :thinking:

I'm not at all disappointed with the way they turn out but I'm always thinking there may be something better.....probably why I can't keep a camera for very long, there's always something better :nuts:

Andy
 
Well someone ought to at least mention Silverfast... I use the SE version 6.something. The interface is bonkers; it doesn't follow any of the WIMP conventions. You've possibly seen me moaning about a few of the results, specially from colour negatives. However, I've scanned several thousand 35mm slide, colour and mono negative images including some taken over 40 years ago, and by and large I'm pretty happy. I tried the demo version of Vuescan and thought the results did not look nearly as good.

The new version of Silverfast is v8, and I believe it has a much reworked interface; I think I tried a trial version but it's really expensive and I couldn't see a reason for upgrading. You'd need the SE or preferably AI versions. So this isn't an argument against Vuescan!
 
Well, I've just had a look at the Silverfast website and it p*ssed me off within minutes. It doesn't seem to tell you how much the product is until you've put in your basket and filled in loads of info, sod that, if the software is as annoying as the website I'll go elsewhere.
Andy
 
I found the Epson software ok for slide stuff. Hated it for negs. Got Vuescan, went pro....much better.

Pick up a few tips on t'internet. Pretty happy now but still can't emulate the results I got from CC imaging or the AG photo service.
 
Resurrecting this thread as my question seems to fit...

I've always followed the linked PhotoUtopia tips on scanning with the V500 in the past, but it covers only capturing all the data possible by changing the sliders to each end of the histogram range of the input.

After all this time I've just realised that there is an option available to then change the output from the defaulted range (18-209 in the linked example) to 0-255 but the question is do I need to - does it help in any way in further processing or is it not related?

Dave
 
Just bough a New in the box minolta 5400, was very expensive but i will compared it to my V370 and post the photo.
 
djguru said:
Resurrecting this thread as my question seems to fit...

I've always followed the linked PhotoUtopia tips on scanning with the V500 in the past, but it covers only capturing all the data possible by changing the sliders to each end of the histogram range of the input.

After all this time I've just realised that there is an option available to then change the output from the defaulted range (18-209 in the linked example) to 0-255 but the question is do I need to - does it help in any way in further processing or is it not related?

Dave
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I use the Epson Software, a V500 and also follow the PhotoUtopia advice too. I found that only moving the sliders to the end of the histogram left me with a very dark scan, all be it with more data.

So I now always move the output sliders to the ends of the range as well. Also I often don't move the 'Blacks' slider to the very end of the histogram. Others will I am sure have other thoughts but I have found this method works for me.

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks Jao, I've tried it both ways and I'm not sure enough that it makes a huge difference (but maybe it's dependent on the exposure of the original frame?)- it certainly adds time to the process as I found that when I change the output sliders to their extents I had to go back and change the input sliders again to each end of the histogram.
Too many variables! Maybe someone else has an idea?
 
djguru said:
Resurrecting this thread as my question seems to fit...

I've always followed the linked PhotoUtopia tips on scanning with the V500 in the past, but it covers only capturing all the data possible by changing the sliders to each end of the histogram range of the input.

After all this time I've just realised that there is an option available to then change the output from the defaulted range (18-209 in the linked example) to 0-255 but the question is do I need to - does it help in any way in further processing or is it not related?

Dave
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Well I'm not an expert on scanning but here is my view:- I use Epson software and don't don't bother using 0-255 as I always get a poor scan that looks dull and is hard to fix in Photoshop, anyway all you are supposed to achieve is a bit more detail in the shadows and highlights and then it could be because of the tolerance of the film is not coping with the shot.
So using 0-255 could be equivalent of hearing where a young child can hear say from 60 cycles to 15,000 cycles, and 18-209 is equivalent of a young adult's hearing which is usually reduced\clipped, because of wear (too much modern age noise) at say 70-12000.....the young adults hearing is still excellent (being clipped) and wouldn't miss the difference compared to a young child.
 
I also rarely bother with the 0-255 option, I can't really see much difference, though I do (unless I forget) adjust the histogram.
 
I use Vuescan with my Reflecta 7200 and I find it reasonable. I am still learning the ropes of the software though, so it takes times to get a scan I am happy with (the colour profiles are pants).

It does need a UI update though, I find it very dated looking.
 
I have used Vuescan for several years and it works with all my heritage stuff including a minolta film scanner.If you get the pro licence it is updated so that it works with all the versions of windows as they come out. It seems to work with anything.

It can also be used as a raw processor for camera files.
 
I've had my V500 for ages but only recently had time/head space to use it. Been using the Epson software and trawling this Forum for advice and tips.

My scans have been a bit flat so far but I'm persisting because some of you have shown great results. Biggest problem has been dust. Some of my negs are in a shocking state. Might have to build that brilliant looking DIY neg dryer that someone posted up a while ago.
 
desf said:
I've had my V500 for ages but only recently had time/head space to use it. Been using the Epson software and trawling this Forum for advice and tips.

My scans have been a bit flat so far but I'm persisting because some of you have shown great results. Biggest problem has been dust. Some of my negs are in a shocking state. Might have to build that brilliant looking DIY neg dryer that someone posted up a while ago.
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Before scanning it's best to clean the neg and glass (with say a linen handkerchief) then use a rocket blower on the glass and neg...if you have dandruff then you could try "head and shoulders" :help: ;)
 
excalibur2 said:
Before scanning it's best to clean the neg and glass (with say a linen handkerchief) then use a rocket blower on the glass and neg...if you have dandruff then you could try "head and shoulders" :help: ;)
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:lol:

It's mostly fine hairs so I'm blaming the cat.
 
i was using Silverfast v6.something that came with my scanner. I just downloaded the new version's demo , v8, and its pretty nice. Interface is lots better, it finds the frame's accurately and automatically now! and it seems to have a lot more film profiles. I cant see any more detail being rendered than the old version (on a v750) but i think it will be worth the 24 euros to upgrade.
 
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