Epson Scan vs. SilverFast vs. VueScan

TareqPhoto · Apr 27, 2010

Hey all,

I made scan tests for 2 film rolls to see the results difference on different software, so here are the results for you to judge:

A. Color Slide Roll [Fuji Velvia 50]

1. Epson Scan

2. SilverFast (Multiscan)

3. VueScan

B. Color Negative Roll [Kodak Porta 400NC]

1. Epson Scan

2. SilverFast (Multiscan)

3. VueScan

What do you think?

All the results are out from the software with whatever adjustments and resized on Photoshop and saved as JPEG [no treatment on photoshop], Epson Scan is the easiest of the 3 software above for adjustment, just tick 2 or 3 options and scan, so how come many recommend VueScan or SilverFast over Epson Scan?

pschwart · Apr 27, 2010

TareqPhoto said:
Hey all,

I made scan tests for 2 film rolls to see the results difference on different software, so here are the results for you to judge:

A. Color Slide Roll [Fuji Velvia 50]

1. Epson Scan

2. SilverFast (Multiscan)

3. VueScan

B. Color Negative Roll [Kodak Porta 400NC]

1. Epson Scan

2. SilverFast (Multiscan)

3. VueScan

What do you think?

All the results are out from the software with whatever adjustments and resized on Photoshop and saved as JPEG [no treatment on photoshop], Epson Scan is the easiest of the 3 software above for adjustment, just tick 2 or 3 options and scan, so how come many recommend VueScan or SilverFast over Epson Scan?

All the results are out from the software with whatever adjustments
Sorry, you can't really conclude anything from these scans. The scan settings are critical, especially if you want to compare results from different scanners. I'd suggest setting the white and black points, turning off all other auto scan functions, and making sure the resolution is same for all tests. It would also be helpful to zoom in on the same small sample in each scan. Not sure what you expect to find though -- you should be able to get an equivalent scan from each program driving the same scanner.

TareqPhoto · Apr 27, 2010

pschwart said:
All the results are out from the software with whatever adjustments
Sorry, you can't really conclude anything from these scans. The scan settings are critical, especially if you want to compare results from different scanners. I'd suggest setting the white and black points, turning off all other auto scan functions, and making sure the resolution is same for all tests. It would also be helpful to zoom in on the same small sample in each scan. Not sure what you expect to find though -- you should be able to get an equivalent scan from each program driving the same scanner.

Are you sure i will get an equivalent scan from those software on same scanner?

So i should open each software and default all the settings and try again without any adjustment? I feel you don't get my point, and you trying to say that my test is bullshit because i did nonsense adjusting on software so i've got different results scan which it shouldn't be? how can i reset all the settings on those 3 software and rescan again and see?
Even if i will get the same equivalent results from the 3 software, actually in Epson Scan i just click 2 options and scan, the others i have to go on most settings or option to get the optimum results and it is really pain in...., i wish if i can get better results on VueScan after that long hard adjustments then i will accept that and spend time on adjustments, but if you have some tips or recommendations you can tell to help me to get better results i will be so glad and appreciated your help.

pschwart · Apr 27, 2010

TareqPhoto said:
Are you sure i will get an equivalent scan from those software on same scanner?

So i should open each software and default all the settings and try again without any adjustment? I feel you don't get my point, and you trying to say that my test is bullshit because i did nonsense adjusting on software so i've got different results scan which it shouldn't be? how can i reset all the settings on those 3 software and rescan again and see?
Even if i will get the same equivalent results from the 3 software, actually in Epson Scan i just click 2 options and scan, the others i have to go on most settings or option to get the optimum results and it is really pain in...., i wish if i can get better results on VueScan after that long hard adjustments then i will accept that and spend time on adjustments, but if you have some tips or recommendations you can tell to help me to get better results i will be so glad and appreciated your help.

Just suggesting that if you want a meaningful comparison of the scan quality you need to use the same setting for all the packages. The easiest way to do this is turn off auto everything. The automatic functions are convenient, but don't provide the best scan results anyway. All scanning software, including Vuescan, provides a way to save and recall configuration settings, but some tweaking is usually required to get the best out of particular image. Ease of use is a personal matter, so I will leave it to you to determine which software you prefer. I generally use Vuescan, but I also use NikonScan and EpsonScan occasionally. I haven't used Silverfast in quite a while. I'd be surprised if there were hugh differences between competent scans done with all these packages, but maybe your testing will prove me wrong

ctscanner · Apr 27, 2010

Tareq,

I think the problem that you encounter with using the program's 'auto' settings, or 'basic' settings, is that you are getting a result that is predicated on a programmer's ideas on how the image should appear. You really want to be able to control your test by setting up the scan variables so that they are as close to being the same for the three programs as can achieve.

Having said all that, I would expect that trying to replicate identical settings between each package would a bit probable at best. So possibly you could do it by just concentrating on the basics. For example;
* film profile - same on each, may not be possible
* black and white points - just bring them in far enough to
contact the histogram
* Mid-point, or mid-level brightness- identical on each
* Curve-With the image you have I would make the case
that shouldn't have to adjust it for what you are attempting .
* Exposure, leave it be on this test
* USM application in PS or PSE with same on each image
* Color Space - not sure on this one, but you should have
something like Adobe RGB (1998) available on each.

The above might give you some idea on the basic differences between each software package. I am reasonably sure that it can be accomplished with Silverfast and Lasersoft, since I have used them both. Less sure with Epson Scan, I haven't used it in several years.

What I personally think you are going to find is that each package is going to yield a fairly decent result, with some differences that can probably attributed to differences in the programs. It might get down to a question of what you prefer.

Good luck,

George

TareqPhoto · Apr 28, 2010

I will give it more trials and see, in fact i can get better results if i go deep in settings or adjusting on thew software and then i use Photoshop or Lightroom, i just was looking for to see how the scan coming out of the scanner for different software without tweaking, and which software is easy to adjust and tweak, as i said, on Epson Scan i can tweak very quickly over the SF and VS, but it seems there are things on SF and VS that i like which is the Multiscan, also i didn't try to do with fluid mounting which i hear many saying that it will help to get better results, and maybe the normal box included film holder is not ideal for scanning for 120mm, i've bought the holder from betterscanning and really i didn't know how to use it.

So i will give another test with "auto" settings if i can do that and see how it will perform at the end.

AmsterdamMartin · Apr 29, 2010

thanks for your test, I am into the same thing, using my epson V700.
The epson scan is worth its weigth in gold, because I was able to teach even my mother how to get acceptable scans. Now the giant family negative, slide and antique print stocks are being scanned ! With the ICE...
For the winners I have always used vuescan. It feels like there is nothing between you and the machine. I have it make pure dng's, without anything, and afterwards photoshop.
I haven't been to the bottom of silverfast yet though. Perhaps, after tweaking, you can get any result you like, using any of the two with or without photoshop. I would like to hear how vuescan and silverfast compare in huge workflows.
Vuescan is getting rather complicated when scanning a lot at a time, I think.
And photoshop has great batch processes too !

TareqPhoto · Apr 29, 2010

AmsterdamMartin said:
thanks for your test, I am into the same thing, using my epson V700.
The epson scan is worth its weigth in gold, because I was able to teach even my mother how to get acceptable scans. Now the giant family negative, slide and antique print stocks are being scanned ! With the ICE...
For the winners I have always used vuescan. It feels like there is nothing between you and the machine. I have it make pure dng's, without anything, and afterwards photoshop.
I haven't been to the bottom of silverfast yet though. Perhaps, after tweaking, you can get any result you like, using any of the two with or without photoshop. I would like to hear how vuescan and silverfast compare in huge workflows.
Vuescan is getting rather complicated when scanning a lot at a time, I think.
And photoshop has great batch processes too !

In fact, Epson Scan i need only few clicks and ticks and go, while SilverFast and VueScan i have to go into all or most options and tabs and at the end the results is not as what i can get with Epson Scan quick clicks, so if it will take me about 5 minutes to adjust with SilverFast or VueScan and it will take me about 1 minute or less with Epson Scan then i will go with Epson Scan, i may accept VueScan if it will give me better results over Epson Scan but what i can see is results either less than Epson Scan or almost equal to ES, so in this case i go with Epson Scan for the speed, but VueScan and SilverFast both have that Multiscan which i heard it may help for DR and details in shadows [not sure this option is available in Epson Scan], but it seems i am trying to match my scanner to film scanner and i don't have any dedicated film scanner anyway, and comparing the scanner i do at home with lab scanner [Noritsu] i feel i need to do more workflow to get something similar to what the lab scanner can do, is it a film scanner or a drum scanner [Noritsu]?

wartree · Apr 29, 2010

did you use the mirror and normal flatbed scan method for this images ?

TareqPhoto · Apr 29, 2010

wartree said:
did you use the mirror and normal flatbed scan method for this images ?

No, i used Epson V750 scanner, if you want i can try another scanner and see, but i think i am not interested to try another method if i have this scanner.

Matus Kalisky · Apr 30, 2010

Well - I have just spent yesterday quite some time with my Microtek F1 testing the SilverFast, Microtek ScanWizard and Vuescan (trial version - not calibrated).

in principle all of the are able to deliver good results. One just should not expect that pushing one button does the job. Some tweaking with levels and curves may be needed to get the color right (even though after calibration the scans SHOULD be close to the true color of the slide, nut that might be my own F1 specific problem)

From the 3 I prefer the SilverFast for layout (but it is just slow to use), but the Vuescan allows me to set the (hrdware) exposure and if necessary to make 2 scans and merge them (a'la HRD) later. Or in a case of simply under exposed slide one can adjust the scanner exposure and get less noise in shadows (and a bit more detail too).

I have to test more and will report later (I still want to make a full blast F1 review, but this requires more effort from my side)

wartree · Apr 30, 2010

TareqPhoto said:
No, i used Epson V750 scanner, if you want i can try another scanner and see, but i think i am not interested to try another method if i have this scanner.

it would be amazing if you tried and posted it here, cause right now i dont have acess to any scanner.

TareqPhoto · Apr 30, 2010

wartree said:
it would be amazing if you tried and posted it here, cause right now i dont have acess to any scanner.

I will give it a try ASAP and show you.

glhs116 · May 1, 2010

I find with my Konica Minolta Scan Dual IV that I need to use Vuescan to get the dynamic range I need for Velvia slides with deep shadows. I like being able to set the exposure and have the multi-exposure done by Vuescan.

For negatives I need to use the Konica Minolta software since the Vuescan somehow doesn't give me a very clean scan of negs no matter how I set it. The KM scan software does allow a lot of control but obviously can't do the multi-exposure trick.

I wish Vuescan could do negs as well as the KM software so I could do all my scanning with one program.

Sam

TareqPhoto · May 1, 2010

glhs116 said:
I find with my Konica Minolta Scan Dual IV that I need to use Vuescan to get the dynamic range I need for Velvia slides with deep shadows. I like being able to set the exposure and have the multi-exposure done by Vuescan.

For negatives I need to use the Konica Minolta software since the Vuescan somehow doesn't give me a very clean scan of negs no matter how I set it. The KM scan software does allow a lot of control but obviously can't do the multi-exposure trick.

I wish Vuescan could do negs as well as the KM software so I could do all my scanning with one program.

Sam

Thanks Sam,
It is like there is no best top software, in all cases, i did a lot of tests, and i will shoot more film in the future and will see what i can get, i will ask the lab to scan few rolls for me[not with Imacon] and i will see if i can get closer.

drmoss_ca · May 1, 2010

I use three, and soon four, scanners(!) - an Epson 4870 for MF, a Minolta 5400, and a Pacific Image 3650 for quick 35mm scans. A Nikon Coolscan 9000ED is on the way for better quality MF scans. I have a copy of Vuescan Pro that works with all of them, but the Silverfast that came for free with the Epson is giving me better results with that scanner. I looked at the LaserSoft website to see about buying a version that could be used with all of the above, but they say their software is optimised for the scanner specified when it is downloaded as a demo, or bought. I'm certainly not going to buy four versions, especially if the only difference between them is that they only work with a particular scanner. Does anybody know if there is a SilverFast version that works with multiple scanners or is it really the case that it works only with the scanner specified at the time of purchase?

Chris

Epson Scan vs. SilverFast vs. VueScan

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency