iSRD is SilverFast's dust and scratch removal using infrared technology

Slides and negatives always have small dust particles and tiny scratches on them, even when handled very carefully. Removing them one-by-one takes a tremendous amount of time, since often hundreds or thousands of small defects (dust grains or lint) are found on the original image, which only become visible after digitization. LaserSoft Imaging has developed a reliable solution to this problem.

Infrared light has a very wide wave-length, which allows it to pass through film emulsion of negatives and slides without resistance, as opposed to scratches and dust particles that reflect it. iSRD utilizes this behavior as follows. The image is scanned two times – the first is the regular RGB scan and the second is the additional infrared scan that captures defects like dust and scratches only. Then the calculative dust and scratch removal takes effect, only where the infrared channel has detected any defects without losing any important details.

SilverFast Version

SE Plus

Ai Studio

Automatic scratch removal

Manual control of detection sensitivity

1:1 and HQ preview modes

Selective correction with a mask tool

Manual control of defect size that should be detected

Rubber tool for protecting image areas

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Braun Phototechnik

FS 120
MultiMag SlideScan 4000 / 4000b
MultiMag SlideScan 6000
MultiMag SlideScan 7000

Canon

CanoScan 8400F
CanoScan 8600F
CanoScan 8800F
CanoScan 9000F
CanoScan 9000F Mark II
CanoScan 9900F
CanoScan 9950F

Epson

GT-X700
GT-X750
GT-X770
GT-X800
GT-X820
GT-X830
GT-X900
GT-X970
GT-X980
Perfection 4490 Photo
Perfection 4870 Photo
Perfection 4990 Photo
Perfection V500 Photo
Perfection V550 Photo
Perfection V600 Photo
Perfection V700 Photo
Perfection V750 Pro
Perfection V800 Photo
Perfection V850 Pro

LaserSoft Imaging

SilverFast DCPro
SilverFast DCPro Studio
SilverFast HDR
SilverFast HDR Studio

Mediax

SilverScan 7200 Pro

Microtek

ArtixScan F1

Minolta

DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 (not Elite 5400 II)

Nikon

LS 2000 / Super Coolscan 2000
LS 4000ED / Super Coolscan 4000 ED
LS 40ED / Coolscan IV ED
LS 5000ED / Super Coolscan 5000 ED
LS 50ED / Coolscan V ED
LS 8000ED / Super Coolscan 8000 ED
LS 9000ED / Super Coolscan 9000 ED

Pacific Image Electronics

PowerFilm
PowerFilm Plus
PowerSlide 3650
PowerSlide 5000
PowerSlide X
PrimeFilm 120 / 120 Pro
PrimeFilm 7200
PrimeFilm 7250 Pro3
PrimeFilm 7250u
PrimeFilm X
PrimeFilm XA
PrimeFilm XA Plus
PrimeFilm XAs
PrimeFilm XE
PrimeFilm XEs

Plustek

OpticFilm 120
OpticFilm 120 Pro
OpticFilm 135i
OpticFilm 7200i
OpticFilm 7500i
OpticFilm 7600i
OpticFilm 8200i
OpticFilm 8300i

Quatographic

Intelli Scan 5000

Reflecta

CrystalScan 7200
DigitDia 4000
DigitDia 5000
DigitDia 6000
DigitDia 7000
DigitDia 8000
MF 5000
PF 135
ProScan 10T
ProScan 7200
RPS 10M
RPS 7200

High-Quality preview lets me see the entire scan at full resolution and is invaluable for close edits. Being able to zoom in at 1:1 and fine-tune different variables makes the effects of tools like USM or iSRD far easier to control.

Jonathan Notley, Photographer

iSRD is a highly reliable and comprehensive solution for infrared-based dust and scratch removal. Note the preview functionality, the access to every parameter and the opportunity to work with a mask tool.

Desktop Dialog, Magazine

When I finally came to fully understand the iSRD function in SilverFast the “light bulb” fired up. I was thunder struck by the enormous chunk of time-saving help this feature offered. Batman had his utility belt, but I have SilverFast and have to believe I am just getting started with harnessing its power.

LandSpeed Louise, Photographer

The SilverFast preview is ideal. All manipulations are shown almost in real-time depending on the computational complexity and hardware equipment. It is also possible to directly examine the result of some extensive features such as Unsharp Masking or the infrared dust and scratch removal tool iSRD. Using the 100% preview every little change is visible.

digit!, Magazine

Kodachrome film: With Kodachrome images, an automatic defect detection can be more difficult, since the film emulsion is so dense, particularly in the dark image areas, that infrared light cannot pass through sufficiently. For this reason, for the software dark image area does not differ from dust or other dirt particles. SilverFast’s iSRD Dust and Scratch Removal has been specially adapted for Kodachrome film to take this into account. The Kodachrome optimized iSRD engine is used automatically once the Kodachrome mode is activated. It may be particularly helpful to use a polygon or path mask, as well as the marker and eraser tools included with SilverFast Ai Studio to limit corrections to specific areas of the image.

Black and white film: Black and white film is another special case in terms of dust and scratch removal. Unlike color slides or color negatives, the scanner’s infrared rays can not permeate through the film emulsion, due to the silver halide layer contained in the film. This means that infrared based tools like iSRD, ICE, FARE or MagicTouch can not be used here.

SRDx, our software-based dust and scratch removal, has bee developed especially for black and white film. It ensures effective removal of dust and scratches from black and white film and, in combination with SilverFast iSRD, represents an ideal solution for Kodachromes.

Supplementary Feature: SRDx

SilverFast SRDx is a software-based tool for removing dust and scratches, i.e. in contrast to iSRD it is not using the infrared channel. Thus, it is a great tool for scanners that do not feature any infrared functionality. SilverFast SRDx is also a great addition to SilverFast iSRD. Both features can be optimally combined to remove defects hardware- and software-based.