scanner software recommendations

mhanc · Oct 15, 2017

i am currently using the EPSON Scan software to scan film on an epson v750/v700. i basically choose film type and scan resolution and then turn off all adjustments (making any necessary adjustments in post software -- aperture in my case).

i am not sure that i am getting as much out of the scanner as possible using this software and i seem to get variable results from the same settings when scanning the same negative/positive at different times. just curious what software others are using. hopefully, there is something open-source that others have found to generate quality scans.

Ko.Fe. · Oct 15, 2017

I have tried another two famous stand alone software with my V500. It was waste of time. Epson software is the best. If you don't like results from yours on 135 film, get dedicated scanner for it.

Trail Images · Oct 15, 2017

I've used the same scanning software for years and like it. I have a Microtek i900 and have used it for many years now too. It came with Microtek proprietary software and Silverfast 6 software. I finally upgraded to the Silverfast 8 last year. I feel very comfortable making adjustments with the 6 more then the 8. But can use both to obtain what I see on the screen prior to scan and seeing the same after scan. Which is the upside for me.

Michael Firstlight · Oct 15, 2017

ViewScan - very popular and affordable - supports most scanners. The best part of you can scan to .DNG format so that you can then use the full power of Adobe Camera Raw.

MFL

Colonel Blimp · Oct 15, 2017

SilverFast 8 is a very capable software, especially the dust and scratch removal feature and the IT8 calibration. There are cheaper alternatives, though. Also, Silverfast has a steep learning curve.

Alan9940 · Oct 15, 2017

I have used Silverfast Ai since 2000 and have never been disappointed. I have tried Epson Scan and Vuescan, but I always return to Silverfast.

shutterfinger · Oct 15, 2017

mhanc said:
i am not sure that i am getting as much out of the scanner as possible using this software and i seem to get variable results from the same settings when scanning the same negative/positive at different times. just curious what software others are using. hopefully, there is something open-source that others have found to generate quality scans.

What OS are you running? I'm running Win 10 64 bit and disconnect the internet from it to prevent background services from running and interfering with editing (making it slow). Something may be interfering with your scans.

Patrick Robert James · Oct 15, 2017

Vuescan. Buy it once and the license is good forever, for any scanner that it works with, as well as updates forever. It is a bit funky at times, but it does do everything. Color management, raw scans, etc. The biggest deficiency in Vuescan in my opinion is in the histogram displays. I scan by numbers though since I understand that, but if you are a WYSIWYG kind of guy, Silverfast may be better.

I've tried Silverfast over the years and it is good software. Typically though you have to purchase it for each scanner you have, so if you buy a 35mm scanner for example, you have to pay again.

Hope that helps.

rbultman · Oct 15, 2017

Another vote for Vuescan...

Alan Edward Klein · Oct 15, 2017

What did you mean when you said, " ...I seem to get variable results from the same settings when scanning the same negative/positive at different times".

Eric Rose · Oct 15, 2017

I just use the software that came with my Epson scanner.

ozphoto · Oct 16, 2017

I'm also in the Silverfast camp - but only because it came with my Plustek scanner.
I also have an Agfascan 1200 that uses the Agfa software and I love this too. At some stage I might try out the SIlverfast on it at some stage.

SF is pretty good, but as others have mentioned it does have a bit of a learning curve (but what software doesn't?). I did attempt Vuescan on my Macbook, but I wasn't impressed with the results. Naturally YMMV.

If you can download both to test and see which one suits, it'll help make the decision easier for you, as one may "fit" better than the other.

dabsond · Oct 16, 2017

I use an Epson V600 for my negative scanning. In trying to tweak the most out of this model I purchased both VueScan and Silverfast. I have gone back to just using the EpsonScan software that come with the scanner. I scan without any enhancements to Tiff and then color adjust in Lightroom. I have found this the best workflow for me. Lightroom enables easier color correction than fiddling with all the settings in either software package.

mhanc · Oct 16, 2017

thanks for all the great information! very useful in helping me debug this problem. turns out the cause was an errant setting in the aperture editing software that i use -- higher resolution scans were being adversely affected. after replicating the problem with a trial of vueScan, i was able locate its source.

dabsond said:
I use an Epson V600 for my negative scanning. In trying to tweak the most out of this model I purchased both VueScan and Silverfast. I have gone back to just using the EpsonScan software that come with the scanner. I scan without any enhancements to Tiff and then color adjust in Lightroom. I have found this the best workflow for me.

this is exactly the same workflow that i use. i too find it easier to make adjustments with photo editing software. also, by not making any adjustments during the scanning process, one has a "digital negative" to work with from that point forward. this is preferable, i think, to being locked into the editing choices made at the time of scanning which necessitate rescanning if one wants to take the image in a different direction.

the dark arts of scanning reveal themselves very reluctantly.

mgb74 · Oct 16, 2017

I have tried using Silverfast on occasion (can't remember what version) in a community facility. To me, it is the most unintuitive software I've ever encountered since assembly language in the early 70s. It must be good however, since so many people put up with it and take the time to learn it.

scanner software recommendations

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