Speed up Silverfast or improve Vuescan IQ?

[cptrios]

Hi all,

I just bought a Plustek 8200i SE, which is an upgrade from a PIE 3650u. I've been using the latter with Vuescan, and have been generally happy with the results, at least compared to expectations of such an old scanner.

I tried Vuescan with the Plustek, and was immediately disappointed; detail was lower than from the 3650u! I installed Silverfast and activated it in demo mode, since I was hoping to avoid using the SN in case I wanted to return the scanner or improve its resale value someday. So far, like a lot of people, I kind of hate Silverfast - it's not awful to use, but it's extremely slow compared to Vuescan. Over 2x in some cases! (Also, thank you Plustek for including version 8 instead of version 9, and on a CD to boot.) Unfortunately, IQ is noticeably better than Vuescan.

So I realize these questions have probably been asked and answered, but let me attempt to be specific and cross my fingers that someone can help.

1. Is there a way to reduce the resolution of the prescan in Silverfast? I certainly don't see it in the app, and there's conflicting info online. 30s for a prescan seems unnecessary.
2. Why exactly does Silverfast mess around with the scanner (my language here should give some indication of my level of knowledge!) for 10-20 seconds before it actually starts scanning? Vuescan doesn't.
3. Are there settings in Vuescan that I'm missing that might improve detail? I've tried all of the various formats and bit depths, to no real avail.

Thanks!

 

[Alan9940]

Since there are different versions of Silverfast scanning software and slight differences in the UI based on scanner model, I'll try to help with in a more generic way. I've been using Silverfast scanning software for over 20 years and, personally, like it the best and find that I get the best quality from their software. Anyway...

1. AFAIK, the prescan view is a low resolution version. You can choose to get a higher resolution, if needed. With my scanner and Silverfast Ai Studio, if I zoom in on the preview the software will re-scan at a higher resolution. That said, it seems a bit odd that your pre-scans take 30s...this is 35mm, correct? I can pre-scan 8x10 film on my flatbed in about 10s.

2. Not sure exactly what the software is doing with your specific hardware, but with my Epson flatbed it does a lamp warm-up before beginning a scan, and with my Konica/Minolta 5400II it's positioning the holder to the selected frame and doing an autofocus.

3. I haven't used Vuescan in years, but other than sharpening during scanning I don't know of any setting that would improve detail.

Sorry I can't be more specific, but each scanner & scan software combination is somewhat unique.

 

[shutterfinger]

I find scans are faster if you disconnect from the internet, any scanning software.

 

[brbo]

In Vuescan set the scanning resolution to 7200dpi in the "Input" tab and then in the "Output" tab select 'Tiff file' and set accompanying 'Tiff size reduction' to 2.

Your Plustek 8200i SE is a 3600dpi scanner. But only when you scan at 7200dpi. With the above settings you scan at 7200dpi and then reduce the output by 2 so you end up with a file size that you would get from a true 3600dpi scanner. The resulting file should be "pixel sharp" when viewed at 100%.

You can leave internet connection on as I haven't heard of any scanning software that spends time chatting to internet during scanning.

 

[cptrios]

Appreciate the responses! Sadly I think this scanner's going back anyway. There's a noticeable difference in quality between the two sides of the frame. Did a 1:1 scan in Silverfast on the border, pulled out the holder and flipped it around, did the same 1:1 scan:

And from the same scan:

Annoying!

 

[Alan9940]

Are you sure the negative is being held as flat as possible in the film holder? If yes, then it could be an optical alignment and/or film transport issue.

 

[cptrios]

Are you sure the negative is being held as flat as possible in the film holder? If yes, then it could be an optical alignment and/or film transport issue.

Yeah, a holder issue was my first thought. I tried it both flipping the film around inside the holder and flipping the holder itself around. In the above examples, I moved the holder rather than the film, so it's not related to how flat the film is. It could be an issue with the way the holder is held, though. Now I just have to debate whether to exchange or return and go back to getting camera scanning right!

 

[cptrios]

Ok - scanner is on its way back to B&H, and I'm still debating. Does anyone, by the way, have experience with the PIE Primefilm XEs/Reflecta Proscan 10T? It's on sale for $370 at the moment...