Silverfast Woes...

Harlequin565

Harlequin565

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So I've just finished a re-install of Windows and a full PC cleanup, deleting lots of old stuff.

Silly me thought everything I've paid for would just be redownloadable and reinstallable.

Not so with Silverfast.

They only offer Silverfast 9 at the moment, which means if you have an older version, you'll need to make sure you have the install software somewhere because the license versions aren't compatible across versions. I think my Silverfast 8 codes are 20 odd digits whilst the code for Silverfast 9 is just 8.

I raised a case into their "customer care" giving full details of the problem and attaching my email license keys as proof on Tuesday. Today I got a response asking me what the error message was and whether the scanner was plugged in. Yay. I've replied. Tersely.

Epson scan is utterly dire (unusable for scanning on glass) and my 8100 is basically a large less-sturdy brick until they can get their act together.

So top tip. If you're not on Silverfast 9, either see if you can update through the software whilst it's installed, or dig out and retain your install media because if you uninstall a lower version than 9, it's a minimum of a case into their customer care.

Vuescan trial time.
 
4wd said:
I see 8.8 is available on torrents.
Click to expand...

Problem is they have a different version for different scanners. I'll take a look though. Didn't think of that.
 
When I buy downloaded software, I keep a copy of the download file just in case something like this happens. The only time this has mattered was when I had a hard drive fail and needed the update files for Lightroom 6.14 - I couldn't find the update files on Adobe's site and had to use my back-up files.

As far as Silverfast goes, I have abandoned that and gone over to the much easier and cheaper Vuescan - one licence fee to cover both my scanners.
 
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Do you have the disk for your version that you can use? I have an unopened Silverfast that came with a scanner (at a guess my Plustek 120) that I'll never use. It's either version 6 or 8, I can't recall. I can check if it's any use to you.
 
If you have trouble I can dropbox the installer. But that is for the Opticfilm 8100 version.
 
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MrDrizz said:
Only just got the Plustek 8100 which has a CD with Silverfast on it. I don't have a DVD drive. If you have the original code you can convert it to a digital version.

SilverFast - Update :: LaserSoft Imaging - SilverFast

www.silverfast.com www.silverfast.com

Enter your product code under Silverfast 8 or earlier
Click to expand...

You're a star. I'd give you Reddit Gold :)

Why is this not clear on their website... Or am I just a complaining old doofus?

Will try and figure this out after dinner.

john.margetts said:
As far as Silverfast goes, I have abandoned that and gone over to the much easier and cheaper Vuescan - one licence fee to cover both my scanners.
Click to expand...
I trialled Vuescan when I got my V550. I found Silverfast to be slightly more intuitive (but still pretty bad) but gave better results. As the prices were comparable, it wasn't a bad decision. I got another copy free with my 8100 which is why I have 2 licenses. Normally I would have gone VueScan with 2 scanners and if I succumb to a Plustek 120 I may opt for it. (Although I suspect the Plustek will come with a third copy for me)

StephenM said:
Do you have the disk for your version that you can use? I have an unopened Silverfast that came with a scanner (at a guess my Plustek 120) that I'll never use. It's either version 6 or 8, I can't recall. I can check if it's any use to you.
Click to expand...
Thanks Stephen. I think the programs are different per scanner, so whilst the offer is appreciated, I don't think it will work.
 
MrDrizz said:
Only just got the Plustek 8100 which has a CD with Silverfast on it. I don't have a DVD drive. If you have the original code you can convert it to a digital version.

SilverFast - Update :: LaserSoft Imaging - SilverFast

www.silverfast.com www.silverfast.com

Enter your product code under Silverfast 8 or earlier
Click to expand...

Mark. I owe you a pint next time we haver a meetup. For anyone looking for a solution, Mark's post is it.

As long as they keep that page open you can download Silverfast 8 (which is what I assume most 8100s are shipping with these days) and enter your license key

As per John's post...
john.margetts said:
When I buy downloaded software, I keep a copy of the download file just in case something like this happens.
Click to expand...

I would also suggest keeping a copy of the exe. Although it will still rely on Silverfast's license servers to validate.
 
A good few years ago I went through all my CDs containing software and extracting the exe files from them. And making a note of the product codes.
Knew back them DVD where going to be taking a back seat.
 
I had a similar issue earlier in the week after moving to a newly built computer. It took some time but I did eventually find it on there site. I did however decide to upgrade to version 9 in the end (and if you do so it's only around £35 or so).

TBH I am glad I did as the differences are greater than I thought. The interface for one is much improved over version 8, but the improvements don't stop there. The iSRD seems to work much better too. I did a like for like test across the two versions using a Portra 400 645 neg and saw a noticable difference in the amount of clean up work I had to do on the one scanned in version 9. Also the level of detail, sharpness, contrast and dynamic range seems to have improved too. I guess time will tell once I scan more stuff. But for what it cost to upgrade I thought it was worth it, although I would have liked to have seem Lasersoft being a little more loyal towards existing customers and offer upgrades in instances such as this. But I guess it's the world we live in. After all I remember the days when we had to pay for new versions of Photoshop and Lightroom each time one came out etc.

The two test scans are below for anyone who may be interested:

Silverfast 8.jpgSilverfast 9.jpg

For some reason, there seems to be a reduction in sharpness after upload to here on both images
 
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Iphotouk said:
I had a similar issue earlier in the week after moving to a newly built computer. It took some time but I did eventually find it on there site. I did however decide to upgrade to version 9 in the end (and if you do so it's only around £35 or so).

TBH I am glad I did as the differences are greater than I thought. The interface for one is much improved over version 8, but the improvements don't stop there. The iSRD seems to work much better too. I did a like for like test across the two versions using a Portra 400 645 neg and saw a noticable difference in the amount of clean up work I had to do on the one scanned in version 9. Also the level of detail, sharpness, contrast and dynamic range seems to have improved too. I guess time will tell once I scan more stuff. But for what it cost to upgrade I thought it was worth it, although I would have liked to have seem Lasersoft being a little more loyal towards existing customers and offer upgrades in instances such as this. But I guess it's the world we live in. After all I remember the days when we had to pay for new versions of Photoshop and Lightroom each time one came out etc.

The two test scans are below for anyone who may be interested:

View attachment 308651View attachment 308652

For some reason, there seems to be a reduction in sharpness after upload to here on both images
Click to expand...

Which scanner are you using Darren?
 
Iphotouk said:
I did however decide to upgrade to version 9 in the end (and if you do so it's only around £35 or so).
Click to expand...

I guess the problem with 2 scanners is 2x the cost to upgrade. I think they should offer a significantly reduced price if you already have one version of their application.

I'm just glad Mark posted that link and I have a working v8 now. That software delivered acceptable sharpness for me.
 
Iphotouk said:
I had a similar issue earlier in the week after moving to a newly built computer. It took some time but I did eventually find it on there site. I did however decide to upgrade to version 9 in the end (and if you do so it's only around £35 or so).

TBH I am glad I did as the differences are greater than I thought. The interface for one is much improved over version 8, but the improvements don't stop there. The iSRD seems to work much better too. I did a like for like test across the two versions using a Portra 400 645 neg and saw a noticable difference in the amount of clean up work I had to do on the one scanned in version 9. Also the level of detail, sharpness, contrast and dynamic range seems to have improved too. I guess time will tell once I scan more stuff. But for what it cost to upgrade I thought it was worth it, although I would have liked to have seem Lasersoft being a little more loyal towards existing customers and offer upgrades in instances such as this. But I guess it's the world we live in. After all I remember the days when we had to pay for new versions of Photoshop and Lightroom each time one came out etc.

The two test scans are below for anyone who may be interested:

View attachment 308651View attachment 308652

For some reason, there seems to be a reduction in sharpness after upload to here on both images
Click to expand...

I say...that young lady is in the nip.... :-) Roberts, fetch me a brandy.
 
Harlequin565 said:
I guess the problem with 2 scanners is 2x the cost to upgrade. I think they should offer a significantly reduced price if you already have one version of their application.

I'm just glad Mark posted that link and I have a working v8 now. That software delivered acceptable sharpness for me.
Click to expand...

Yes I think if I had more than one scanner then I probably wouldn't have upgraded. And I agree, that if you already own the previous version then perhaps a bigger discount wouldn't go a miss. I think it's around 30% discount at the moment which brings it from £49 to £34.30 for the SE version of the app. For me I think 50% would have been a more appealing discount. TBH I didn't hate version 8.8, but the interface was so dated and clunky. It is certainly a big improvement now.
 
FishyFish said:
Thanks. I have Silverfast 8.8 bundled with my Plustek and it would be interesting to see if the update makes a difference there
Click to expand...

You could download the V9 trial and put it in a different location. Just delete when you're done.
 
MrDrizz said:
If you have trouble I can dropbox the installer. But that is for the Opticfilm 8100 version.
Click to expand...

hello I just bought a used 8100 without software, is it possible to share your silverfast cd key? Thank you very much for your help

bonjour je viens d'acheter un 8100 d'occasion sans logiciel, est-il possible de partager sa clé cd silverfast ? Merci beaucoup pour votre aide

Sofian
 
soonsoon said:
hello I just bought a used 8100 without software, is it possible to share your silverfast cd key? Thank you very much for your help

bonjour je viens d'acheter un 8100 d'occasion sans logiciel, est-il possible de partager sa clé cd silverfast ? Merci beaucoup pour votre aide

Sofian
Click to expand...
You can try the download the demo version from the site to see if you like the results, but ultimately you'll need to pay for it / I was hoping to find a version but gave up and bought the SE version.
 
But an interesting conversation above, I think I may download version 9 so I have it for future references (if ever required).
 
soonsoon said:
bonjour je viens d'acheter un 8100 d'occasion sans logiciel, est-il possible de partager sa clé cd silverfast ? Merci beaucoup pour votre aide
Click to expand...
There is no need to post in duel languages, this is an English speaking site.
Thanks
 
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