Issues with Epson Scan 2

DonW · Nov 29, 2021

I am using OS 12.0.1 with Epson Scan 2 with no issues. Here is an image I just scanned. A Blad neg.

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/post-your-street-photography-here.160927/page-66#post-2488791

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 29, 2021

macOS 12 Monterey Support from the Epson site:

https://epson.com/s0/macOS-12-Monterey-Support/s/SPT_MONTEREY-NS

jtk · Nov 29, 2021

Epson Scan will work with some Macs and not all Macs. This is one of many advantages to VueScan, which provides free updates for virtually all scanners.

Trask · Nov 29, 2021

Duceman — I read your initial post with interest because I too use Epson Scan with my old MacBook, and I’m going to get a new Mac computer next year and was wondering if I could keep using Epson Scan — your post is very helpful in that regard. I have a long-standing problem where I cannot really manipulate the image before it it is scanned, but can do what I need done in PS4 after the scan is completed. I too tried Vuescan and didn’t like it much. Please keep us posted how things work out for you, as your experience is useful to at least this one reader.

Duceman · Nov 29, 2021

Trask said:
...I’m going to get a new Mac computer next year and was wondering if I could keep using Epson Scan...

Unless your "new Mac" will in fact be an old one, any Mac running OS 11 or later is a 64-bit OS, and Epson Scan will not work; that's why I had to begin using Epson Scan 2. Nor will your PS4 work, for that matter, so get ready to change that as well. I described my woes upon switching to a new Mac here.

Pieter12 · Nov 29, 2021

Duceman said:
Unless your "new Mac" will in fact be an old one, any Mac running OS 11 or later is a 64-bit OS, and Epson Scan will not work; that's why I had to begin using Epson Scan 2. Nor will your PS4 work, for that matter, so get ready to change that as well. I described my woes upon switching to a new Mac here.

Also, PS4 is not going to run on that new Mac.

Duceman · Nov 29, 2021

Pieter12 said:
Also, PS4 is not going to run on that new Mac.

That’s what I said.

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 29, 2021

jtk said:
Epson Scan will work with some Macs and not all Macs. This is one of many advantages to VueScan, which provides free updates for virtually all scanners.

Actually, it shows that Epson is living in the dark ages while charging $1100 for their "new" V850 scanner. Someone should sue them for selling defective products.

Pieter12 · Nov 29, 2021

Alan Edward Klein said:
Actually, it shows that Epson is living in the dark ages while charging $1100 for their "new" V850 scanner. Someone should sue them for selling defective products.

They don't sell epson scan. It's free. The scanner works fine, not defective.

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 29, 2021

Pieter12 said:
They don't sell epson scan. It's free. The scanner works fine, not defective.

It's not free. It's sold as part of the cost for the scanner and included with the scanner along with the power cord and film holders. It's reasonable for a purchaser to assume that when they buy a piece of equipment that requires software to operate, that the manufacturer is providing software that works. They'd never convince a jury otherwise.

On the other hand, they do include LaserSoft Imaging SilverFast SE PLUS. Does that operate with MAC? If so, then I suppose they can get around the problems with Epson Scan 2.

logan2z · Nov 29, 2021

Alan Edward Klein said:
On the other hand, they do include LaserSoft Imaging SilverFast SE PLUS. Does that operate with MAC?

Yes, it does.

Re: Epson Scan 2. FWIW, The latest Epson software/drivers work just fine for me on my Macbook Pro running Catalina. The previous version resulted in lousy scan quality for me after my Catalina upgrade.

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...pson-v550-catalina-fuzzy-scan-problem.187636/

runswithsizzers · Nov 29, 2021

RE: Your black borders affecting the exposure of the scan. Some scanning software (including Vuescan) has a setting to "ignore borders" or something like that. Vuescan allows the user to set some percentage around the edges of the frame that will be ignored when the software calculates the exposure. I don't know if Epson Scan 2 has such a setting or not.

Epson Scan 2 is working on my 2020 iMac running Big Sur. My Epson V37 scanner does not have a top light source for scanning film, but it works fine for documents.

Pieter12 · Nov 30, 2021

Alan Edward Klein said:
It's not free. It's sold as part of the cost for the scanner and included with the scanner along with the power cord and film holders. It's reasonable for a purchaser to assume that when they buy a piece of equipment that requires software to operate, that the manufacturer is providing software that works. They'd never convince a jury otherwise.

On the other hand, they do include LaserSoft Imaging SilverFast SE PLUS. Does that operate with MAC? If so, then I suppose they can get around the problems with Epson Scan 2.

I don't need to prove I own an epson scanner to download the software. That is free in my book.

jgboothe · Dec 2, 2021

runswithsizzers said:
RE: Your black borders affecting the exposure of the scan. Some scanning software (including Vuescan) has a setting to "ignore borders" or something like that. Vuescan allows the user to set some percentage around the edges of the frame that will be ignored when the software calculates the exposure. I don't know if Epson Scan 2 has such a setting or not.

Epson Scan 2 is working on my 2020 iMac running Big Sur. My Epson V37 scanner does not have a top light source for scanning film, but it works fine for documents.

Good point about the borders affecting exposure (or rather auto tone curves).

In the 'strip' preview mode, if 'continuous auto exposure' is left on (the default), then you can't include the borders without causing a change in the output. You can get around this by turning 'Continuous auto exposure' off in the 'Colour management' box. If you want to use the auto settings (which generally give you quite a good starting point), then you can draw a marquee which doesn't include borders, click the 'Auto' button in the window, and then drag the marquee edges to include the borders. With 'continuous auto exposure' off, the settings aren't re-evaluated with the borders included and thus stay the same.

In the thumbnails view, the program does seem to have some degree of 'ignore the borders' functionality, though it's a bit hit and miss. By default, the borders are cropped out anyway, assuming good frame detection. Going to 'Thumbnail options' and choosing the 'Large' cropped area size, will include the borders (most of which is usually the holder, but there you go). Quite often, by default, the frames will lose contrast at this point, as though the auto correction has either not been applied, or is taking the borders into account. However, if you turn the 'continuous auto exposure' setting off, then turn it back on again, it often seems to prompt a correct assessment of the highlights and shadows, ignoring the borders. As I say, it's a bit hit and miss. There is no specific option to 'ignore borders in tone calculations'.

Overall, Epson Scan 2 has many failings, but it is workable. I have never been convinced that the other options give enough real benefits with these scanners to warrant paying for them. But that's just me.

Alan Edward Klein · Dec 2, 2021

I've noticed that with Epson scan on Windows, auto exposure tends to clip a little bit. You're better off setting the white and black points, levels, manually for the scan.

Duceman · Dec 2, 2021

runswithsizzers said:
RE: Your black borders affecting the exposure of the scan. Some scanning software (including Vuescan) has a setting to "ignore borders" or something like that.

But if I'm manually adjusting levels and such prior to scanning, shouldn't these override any "automatic" exposures? I've never encountered this problem before when manually adjusting levels just prior to scanning. Of course, if I don't manual adjust and let the program do the exposure, the borders will almost certainly have an impact.

Issues with Epson Scan 2

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