By implementing improved Kodachrome routines into SilverFast it's finally possible to achieve high-quality scans of Kodachrome slides with the highest possible Dynamic Range and free of bluecast, dust and scratches.
Anyone working with Kodachrome scans without adjusting the scanner to the special film properly knows the problem of the unsightly bluecast. Some scanner manufacturer’s software may have a Kodachrome mode for selection, which usually isn’t very helpful because a device specific calibration is lacking. Therefore we have implemented generic Kodachrome ICC-profiles for many supported film scanners in SilverFast. These provide the user with a very good starting point.
Scanning Kodachromes with attention to recording the complete Dynamic Range is a considerable challenge. This, because the Dynamic Range reaches up to 3.8D – which is a grayscale range of 6300 shades and equals a contrast range of 1:6300! Fortunately SilverFast Multi-Exposure can handle the enormous Dynamic Range with film scanners. This guarantees reproduction of the deepest shades inside Kodachromes successfully.
The listed scanners are tested to support the Kodachrome mode.
BenQ (Acer)
Braun Phototechnik
Canon
Epson
Heidelberg
HP
Microtek
Minolta
Nikon
Pacific Image Electronics
Plustek
Quatographic
Reflecta
Umax
Conventional dust and scratch removal tools (like ICE) fail on Kodachromes because the film emulsion is different from normal color film. Using a combination of SilverFast's improved dust and scratch removal tools iSRD and SRDx reliably ensures dust and scratch-free Kodachrome scans. 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.
I have one million plus, Kodachrome transparencies in my image library. The process of digitizing these images has made it clear, my most costly factor is the time it takes to remove dust and scratches. Thank god for SilverFast software. The dust and scratch removal function within the software has been an enormous time saver. Do I endorse SilverFast software? You bet.
The listed scanners have been tested and support SilverFasts Kodachrome features. More scanners will be added to the list by and by.
Kodachrome profiles are not included with SilverFast SE, but are included with SilverFast SE Plus, Ai Studio and Archive Suite.
16bit Histogram
AACO
ACR
Auto IT8 Calibration
Batch Scanning
Clone-Tool
ColorServer
Descreening
Expert Mode
ExpressScan
Focus Control
Frame Detection
GANE
GCC
HDRiRAW
Help Videos
Image Automatic
Image to Web
iSRD
JobManager
JobMonitor
LAB Format
Multi-Exposure
Multi-Tasking
Multiple Densitometer
NegaFix
Neutral Pipette
Preview Concept
PrinTao
Printer Calibration
SAC
SC2G
SCC
SRDx
USM
VLT
WorkflowPilot