News
20. December 2012
22. November 2012
Only on Friday – Purchase a SilverFast Archive Suite 8 for your scanner and get a free IT8 target for color calibration. This offer also applies for upgrades from other SilverFast products.* Click on the « Buy » button to enter our online store.
* Note: We will ship a 10x15cm reflective target for flatbed scanners. For film scanners a 35mm transparency target will be delivered. This black friday offer is solely available on Friday, November 23rd, 2012, from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. EST. 26. October 2012
SilverFast 8 is Windows 8 compatible
On October 25th, 2012 Microsoft released the new Windows 8 operating system. We aim to offer a Windows 8 capable version of all SilverFast products to those of our customers who would like to switch to Windows 8. As of today, we can boast the full Windows 8 compatibility with version 8 for every edition of the SilverFast HDR product line.
The compatibility of scanner software SilverFast Ai and SE product lines is also dependent on the manufacturer's device drivers. If you already use SilverFast 8, and if the scanner manufacturer provides Windows 8 -compatible driver for this device, then you should be able to already use SilverFast 8 for your scanner.
The SilverFast SE and Ai product lines' scanner software must be individually adjusted and extensively tested for every single scanner model. Our development team will release SilverFast for many scanners by and by.
Further information as well as an up-to-date list of supported scanners you can find here ... 17. October 2012
David Mantripp, author of Snowhenge.net has reviewed our new image processing software SilverFast HDR Studio 8 and he has published an article in his weblog. Mantripp, who has worked as an Antarctic research scientist, is an amateur photographer since more than 20 years.
David Mantripp: « A great advantage of SilverFast in general is that while it can be complex – indeed, very complex, in the vast majority of cases it also delivers very acceptable "all auto" one-touch results. You can dive deep into SilverFast, but you don’t have to. »
HDR workflow:
The images are scanned as 48bit (or 64bit) raw data. This data is stored uncorrected, but including color management and gamma values for a later optimization with SilverFast HDR. This raw data, which contains all detectable image information, can be used to generate many different output images, without changing the original data. We offer a software package containing scanner and imaging software for a discounted rate: SilverFast Archive Suite 8.
You can find the complete article here on the Snowhenge.net Blog.
12. October 2012
SilverFast's Archive Suite SE 8 is now available! This affordable entry level version of our award-winning archiving software can now be ordered through our webshop.
With this software package, consisting of scanner software SilverFast SE Plus 8 and our new image processing software SilverFast HDR 8, you easily create a digital archive of your slides, negatives and photos. Start today saving your favorite moments and precious memories against decay, staining and loss.
If you already own a copy of SilverFast, you will receive the upgrade at a discounted rate. For more information and your individual offer, please click on the "Info" button!
25. September 2012
Photophiles, a French online magazine for photographers and photography enthusiasts, states: « SilverFast Ai Studio 8 is the scanner software par excellence »
We take a bit of pride when we read that professional photographers who have never worked with SilverFast before, are immediately pleaseed with their first scan results.
Photophiles attests that SilverFast 8 is designed for professional use as well as for motivated amateurs. Instructional video clips and numerous automatic functions are a great help during the initial learning phase.
You can read the original French article at the Photophiles website.
12. September 2012
The photokina is the world's most important trade fair for photography and imaging. LaserSoft Imaging will be on the site again this year.
Visit us from September 18th to 23rd at the photokina in Cologne.
We look forward to you.
More about photokina 2012 & SilverFast.
10. September 2012
Let the most precious moments of your life and your memories live on forever and start now to safely archive your images, photographs, slides and negatives digitally. Creating a digital archive and optimizing it subsequently has never been so easy and has never been so quickly done!
LaserSoft Imaging, a world-wide leading developer of scanner and imaging software, presents the "all-inclusive solution" for your images. With SilverFast's Archive Suite 8 you get a package of completely new developed
scanner software SilverFast Ai Studio 8 and imaging software SilverFast HDR Studio 8 as a perfectly adjusted supplement. Including an integrated color management system, this ideal archiving package is now available for your scanner.
29. August 2012
7. August 2012
25. July 2012
22. June 2012
18. June 2012
28. May 2012
25. May 2012
Mark D. Segal, nearing six decades of photographic experience and a contributor to the Luminous-Landscape website especially on scanning and the use of SilverFast, has written a comprehensive book on scanning with SilverFast 8, which LaserSoft Imaging is pleased to host on the SilverFast website. As a principal external beta tester of SilverFast 8 from the start of external testing, Mark is well-positioned to communicate the capabilities and usage of this application in great depth.
It also covers the use of SilverFast HDR Studio 8 (now in its Pre-release version) and how to integrate workflows between SilverFast 8, SilverFast HDR and one or both of these with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom® and Adobe Photoshop®. Questions about what setups and editing can or should be done where and how to implement successful colour management between them for predictable results are also covered in depth.
The book provides clear step-by-step instruction for using SilverFast 8 by itself and with the other three applications. It shows not only the "how", but also the "why" and the "when" for creating successful scanning workflows.
What's in the book? Have a look at its index.
You may also download the content of pages 1 to 23 for free, which describe more about the book and feature differences between the three versions of SilverFast 8.
You can order the book here in our online store.
10. May 2012
26. April 2012
11. April 2012
In the current issue of German magazine „fine art printer“ editor Roberto Casavecchia elaborately deals with the issue of image scanning at the present time. The author recommends current scanners as well as proven and tested used equipment, he describes scanning software SilverFast 8 and gives practical advice in this 11-page article titled "News and tips about scanning". Several pages are reserved for a detailed review of SilverFast 8:
5. April 2012
Taz Tally, author of the official SilverFast 6 book, has created a comprehensive video tutorial for the new scanner software SilverFast 8.
The video tutorial with a total running time of over 5 hours is divided into many chapters that highlight different aspects of SilverFast 8 in detail. For a first look, some videos are available free of charge:
16. March 2012
PC Advisor as the world's number one technology magazine website for UK audience features an in-depth review of Plustek's new filmscanner - the OpticFilm 8100. The reviewer states decent quality and fairly modest scan times for the device, while the included scanning application Presto seems cheap and very basic. However, SilverFast SE Plus 8 is in the package and convinces with great scans and handling.
« Our expert verdict: […] SilverFast SE Plus 8 is a very effective piece of software. »
9. March 2012
6. March 2012
20. February 2012
CeBIT 2012: As in 2011 our employees are back at the booth of our major partner Plustek for you. We would like to invite you to visit us. Learn about SilverFast 8 and the new Plustek film scanner.
The success of Plustek's OpticFilm range is supplemented by two additional models. The convincing OpticFilm 8100 and OpticFilm 8200i feature latest LED lighting technology and improved optics.
Read the press release from Plustek press release from Plustek (German) for more information.
OpticFilm scanners 8200i and 8100 come with SilverFast 8,
the latest version of our scanning software. The novel user interface and the unique WorkflowPilot assistant enable you to digitize slides
and negatives as comfortable and easy as never before.
Visit us at our host Plustek in Hall 3, Booth F29.
Find out more about exhibition program of Plustek here. (German)
18. February 2012
CeBIT 2012: Our long-time partner EPSON introduces our High-End solution for the medical sector at CeBIT fair.
20. January 2012
16. January 2012
Dear customers, guests and business partners,
The eventful year of 2012 is coming to an end. We have successfully released digital imaging software SilverFast HDR and HDR Studio in version 8. The SilverFast Archive Suite, consisting of scanner and digital imaging software, is now up to date and ready for actual operating systems Windows 8 and Mac OSX 10.8. We would like to thank you, our customers, of whom many have already switched to the new version.
The international press is also impressed with SilverFast 8. During the last year, a great number of positive reviews about SilverFast 8 have been published. However, there is a lot to do in 2013. We will release SilverFast 8 for additional scanners, once the scanner manufacturers provide updated drivers. Of course, we will also optimize all released SilverFast 8 products.
The eventful year of 2012 is coming to an end. We have successfully released digital imaging software SilverFast HDR and HDR Studio in version 8. The SilverFast Archive Suite, consisting of scanner and digital imaging software, is now up to date and ready for actual operating systems Windows 8 and Mac OSX 10.8. We would like to thank you, our customers, of whom many have already switched to the new version.
The international press is also impressed with SilverFast 8. During the last year, a great number of positive reviews about SilverFast 8 have been published. However, there is a lot to do in 2013. We will release SilverFast 8 for additional scanners, once the scanner manufacturers provide updated drivers. Of course, we will also optimize all released SilverFast 8 products.
« With warm appreciation for your trust in us and our products,
wish you a peaceful Christmas and a successful New Year. »
CEO LaserSoft Imaging
wish you a peaceful Christmas and a successful New Year. »
CEO LaserSoft Imaging
22. November 2012
Only on Friday – Purchase a SilverFast Archive Suite 8 for your scanner and get a free IT8 target for color calibration. This offer also applies for upgrades from other SilverFast products.* Click on the « Buy » button to enter our online store.
* Note: We will ship a 10x15cm reflective target for flatbed scanners. For film scanners a 35mm transparency target will be delivered. This black friday offer is solely available on Friday, November 23rd, 2012, from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. EST. 26. October 2012
SilverFast 8 is Windows 8 compatible
On October 25th, 2012 Microsoft released the new Windows 8 operating system. We aim to offer a Windows 8 capable version of all SilverFast products to those of our customers who would like to switch to Windows 8. As of today, we can boast the full Windows 8 compatibility with version 8 for every edition of the SilverFast HDR product line.
The compatibility of scanner software SilverFast Ai and SE product lines is also dependent on the manufacturer's device drivers. If you already use SilverFast 8, and if the scanner manufacturer provides Windows 8 -compatible driver for this device, then you should be able to already use SilverFast 8 for your scanner.
The SilverFast SE and Ai product lines' scanner software must be individually adjusted and extensively tested for every single scanner model. Our development team will release SilverFast for many scanners by and by.
Further information as well as an up-to-date list of supported scanners you can find here ... 17. October 2012
David Mantripp, author of Snowhenge.net has reviewed our new image processing software SilverFast HDR Studio 8 and he has published an article in his weblog. Mantripp, who has worked as an Antarctic research scientist, is an amateur photographer since more than 20 years.
David Mantripp: « A great advantage of SilverFast in general is that while it can be complex – indeed, very complex, in the vast majority of cases it also delivers very acceptable "all auto" one-touch results. You can dive deep into SilverFast, but you don’t have to. »
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An interesting part of the report is Mantripps reflexion on both usual SilverFast workflows. Firstly, there is the possibility to perform the image optimization directly within the scanner software. Mantripp calls this workflow a "baked in" workflow as the image settings are permanently embedded into the scan. Much more flexible is the HDR workflow.
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SilverFast 8 workflows (click) |
The images are scanned as 48bit (or 64bit) raw data. This data is stored uncorrected, but including color management and gamma values for a later optimization with SilverFast HDR. This raw data, which contains all detectable image information, can be used to generate many different output images, without changing the original data. We offer a software package containing scanner and imaging software for a discounted rate: SilverFast Archive Suite 8.
You can find the complete article here on the Snowhenge.net Blog.
12. October 2012
SilverFast's Archive Suite SE 8 is now available! This affordable entry level version of our award-winning archiving software can now be ordered through our webshop.
With this software package, consisting of scanner software SilverFast SE Plus 8 and our new image processing software SilverFast HDR 8, you easily create a digital archive of your slides, negatives and photos. Start today saving your favorite moments and precious memories against decay, staining and loss.
If you already own a copy of SilverFast, you will receive the upgrade at a discounted rate. For more information and your individual offer, please click on the "Info" button!
25. September 2012
Photophiles, a French online magazine for photographers and photography enthusiasts, states: « SilverFast Ai Studio 8 is the scanner software par excellence »
We take a bit of pride when we read that professional photographers who have never worked with SilverFast before, are immediately pleaseed with their first scan results.
Rémy Pilliard: « Image material older than 40 years has been used for this test. However, SilverFast has delivered excellent results, and this although a little trial and error has been necessary due to our lack of experience. Also the HDRi functionality has been reviewed in detail and it has to be said, that all actually available image information can be captured with a single scan. »
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 (open English translation as PDF) |
You can read the original French article at the Photophiles website.
12. September 2012
The photokina is the world's most important trade fair for photography and imaging. LaserSoft Imaging will be on the site again this year.
Visit us from September 18th to 23rd at the photokina in Cologne.
We look forward to you.
More about photokina 2012 & SilverFast.
10. September 2012
Let the most precious moments of your life and your memories live on forever and start now to safely archive your images, photographs, slides and negatives digitally. Creating a digital archive and optimizing it subsequently has never been so easy and has never been so quickly done!
LaserSoft Imaging, a world-wide leading developer of scanner and imaging software, presents the "all-inclusive solution" for your images. With SilverFast's Archive Suite 8 you get a package of completely new developed
scanner software SilverFast Ai Studio 8 and imaging software SilverFast HDR Studio 8 as a perfectly adjusted supplement. Including an integrated color management system, this ideal archiving package is now available for your scanner.
29. August 2012
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SilverFast HDR Studio is now available in version 8.
SilverFast HDR Studio 8 is the top version of SilverFast‘s imaging software. It features the most comprehensive functionality, which satisfies even the highest demands for image optimization. SilverFast HDR Studio 8 is the ideal complement to SilverFast scanner software. Scan your images easily into 64bit/ 48bit HDR(i) RAW data format, which contains any ascertainable image information. Anytime later, optimize many images simultaneously with SilverFast HDR Studio 8. |
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7. August 2012
Analog photography. Future investments into technology of the past!?Sascha Rheker has recently answered his own question in his blog (German). Film is dead, that is we keep hearing, states Rheker a studied political scientist, who now works as a freelance photo journalist for national German newspapers and magazines. A decade ago Rheker himself turned his back on analog photography completely. But not for long, because he soon afterwards discovered the world of analog photography on a new and slightly different way. |
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In 2004 meeting a professional colleague, Rheker became acquainted with the "funny plastic camera", the "worst medium format camera in the world", the cheap brand from China, the camera named Holga.
But why to photograph with a technically inferior camera or rather why to photograph at all using an analog camera? For Rheker, the way to photograph with the Holga is fundamentally different, more unhurried. The film has to be replaced after only 12 pictures taken, each photo will cost money. You are a lot more aware when shooting not just blindly taking snaps. For Rheker it is also a nice experience to return from a photo tour without having shoot a single photograph, simply because there was no suitable motive. |
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For digitizing his analog images Rheker relies then as now on SilverFast.
Sascha Rheker: « The whole thing is a huge fun with SilverFast 8 […], because you can easily draw an individual frame for each image, which SilverFast scans sequentially. Prior you had to scan each image one by one and you had to wait until the previous was complete before you were able to start the next scan. » Many more photographs by Sascha Rheker can be found on Rheker's website. |
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25. July 2012
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Apple's new operating system OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion is scheduled to be released in July. We will shortly provide a compatible version for those scanners, which are supported under OS X 10.7 Lion, as a free update. |
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SilverFast 8 has been successfully adapted to the individual hardware specifications of Microtek's ArtixScan M1 and ArtixScan F1. SilverFast 8 scanner software is now available for Mac OS X 10.5 - 10.7. Windows support will follow soon.
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18. June 2012
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SilverFast 8 has been successfully adapted to the individual hardware specifications of further three scanner. SilverFast 8 scanner software is now available for the Epson Perfecton V30, V33 and V200 devices on Windows XP, Vista, Win7 and Mac OS X 10.5 - 10.7.
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28. May 2012
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SilverFast 8 now also available for three Microtek scanners. The ScanMaker i800 Plus (successor of the i800 model) is a state-of-the-art, easy to use flatbed scanner that is suitable for corporate, photographers and publishers. Coming as standard accessory, the exclusive EZ-Lock™ holders ensure the perfect alignment when scanning films or slides. In addition, ScanMaker i800 Plus adopts an LED as its light source, which not only saves huge amount of energy cost but also prolongs the life cycle of the machine. SilverFast Ai Studio 8 will be included with all ScanMaker i800 Plus devices sold in Europe. Furthermore, the two A3 scanners ScanMaker 9800XL Plus and ArtixScan 3200XL Plus are now supported. |
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25. May 2012
Mark D. Segal, nearing six decades of photographic experience and a contributor to the Luminous-Landscape website especially on scanning and the use of SilverFast, has written a comprehensive book on scanning with SilverFast 8, which LaserSoft Imaging is pleased to host on the SilverFast website. As a principal external beta tester of SilverFast 8 from the start of external testing, Mark is well-positioned to communicate the capabilities and usage of this application in great depth.
Mark Segal:« This book is for anyone seeking to learn efficient workflows for maximizing image quality from scanned media. Why a new book on scanning now? This book accompanies the introduction of SilverFast 8. Having worked with this renewed application from its beta phases through commercial release, I believe SilverFast 8 is the most comprehensive, efficient and user-friendly scanning application on the market. » This is the first and only book since the release of SilverFast 8 showing and explaining the use of every tool and every setting in detail. |
(Click here to enlarge) |
The book provides clear step-by-step instruction for using SilverFast 8 by itself and with the other three applications. It shows not only the "how", but also the "why" and the "when" for creating successful scanning workflows.
What's in the book? Have a look at its index.You may also download the content of pages 1 to 23 for free, which describe more about the book and feature differences between the three versions of SilverFast 8.
You can order the book here in our online store.
10. May 2012
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SilverFast 8 version 8.0.1r10 is online now. We have managed to improve some features and a few bugs have been removed. In addition, SilverFast 8 is now ready for the following scanner modells:
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26. April 2012
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SilverFast 8 version 8.0.1r9 is online now. We have managed to improve some features and a few bugs have been removed. In addition, SilverFast 8 is now ready for the following scanner modells:
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11. April 2012
In the current issue of German magazine „fine art printer“ editor Roberto Casavecchia elaborately deals with the issue of image scanning at the present time. The author recommends current scanners as well as proven and tested used equipment, he describes scanning software SilverFast 8 and gives practical advice in this 11-page article titled "News and tips about scanning". Several pages are reserved for a detailed review of SilverFast 8:
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« SilverFast from German software company LaserSoft Imaging, Kiel has a leading position in this field for years and is the undisputed number one in terms of quality. The new "Ai Studio 8" version is designed for professionals, but equally intended for amateurs, who want to get out the maximum of their images. »
Besides the very expensive professional equipment from Hasselblad, Roberto Casavecchia is also very happy with some rather inexpensive scanners, such as the Plustek OpticFilm 8200i, as long as they are used with SilverFast: « Every scanner, from beginner to professional high-end model, will benefit from this software‘s features and workflow. » The complete (German) article can be found in the actual issue 02/2012 of fine art printer magazine. |
(fine art printer issue 02/2012) |
5. April 2012
Taz Tally, author of the official SilverFast 6 book, has created a comprehensive video tutorial for the new scanner software SilverFast 8.
The video tutorial with a total running time of over 5 hours is divided into many chapters that highlight different aspects of SilverFast 8 in detail. For a first look, some videos are available free of charge:
Scanning color photos
Scanning with SilverFast | by Taz Tally
You can find the entire course and more at the lynda.com Online Training Library®.
16. March 2012
PC Advisor as the world's number one technology magazine website for UK audience features an in-depth review of Plustek's new filmscanner - the OpticFilm 8100. The reviewer states decent quality and fairly modest scan times for the device, while the included scanning application Presto seems cheap and very basic. However, SilverFast SE Plus 8 is in the package and convinces with great scans and handling.
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« … the Plusteks have shown again and again that they fare extremely well on quality. »
« Presto’s enhancement tools, however, are very limited, and those wishing to harness the true power of the Plustek will find the SilverFast SE Plus 8 software package to be their main port of call. » SilverFast Multi-Exposure®, iSRD® and NegaFix® are just three of many unique features that distinguish SilverFast 8 from any other scanner software. Read the complete review here. |
(Click here to enlarge) |
9. March 2012
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SilverFast 8 version 8.0.1r6 is online now. We have managed to improve some features and a few bugs have been removed. In addition, SilverFast 8 is now ready for the following scanner modells:
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6. March 2012
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SilverFast 8 has been successfully adapted to the individual hardware specifications of both new Plustek film scanners. SilverFast 8 scanner software is now available for Plustek OpticFilm 8100 and 8200i devices on Windows XP, Vista, Win7 and Mac OS X 10.5 - 10.7.
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20. February 2012
CeBIT 2012: As in 2011 our employees are back at the booth of our major partner Plustek for you. We would like to invite you to visit us. Learn about SilverFast 8 and the new Plustek film scanner.
The success of Plustek's OpticFilm range is supplemented by two additional models. The convincing OpticFilm 8100 and OpticFilm 8200i feature latest LED lighting technology and improved optics.Read the press release from Plustek press release from Plustek (German) for more information.
OpticFilm scanners 8200i and 8100 come with SilverFast 8,
the latest version of our scanning software. The novel user interface and the unique WorkflowPilot assistant enable you to digitize slides
and negatives as comfortable and easy as never before.
Visit us at our host Plustek in Hall 3, Booth F29.
Find out more about exhibition program of Plustek here. (German)
18. February 2012
CeBIT 2012: Our long-time partner EPSON introduces our High-End solution for the medical sector at CeBIT fair.
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SilverFast X-Ray is able to yield maximum details as well as the abundance of tonal values out of medical and scientific X-rays. The easy use of the tools also enables users without special knowledge in image processing to obtain digital x-ray images. Have a look on it at the CeBIT in Hannover, Germany.
Visit EPSON in Hall 14, Booth H56, and you can convince yourself of the unique, yet inexpensive solution for digitizing radiographs. |
(Click here to enlarge) |
20. January 2012
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The digit! as a respected magazine for digital image processing has tested our new scanner software SilverFast 8 for the current issue 5/6, 2011. The bottom line is: More accurate Workflow Convince yourself of the new generation of scanner software: All about SilverFast 8 digit! : « The SilverFast 8 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. » |
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You can read the complete article here (PDF in english). |
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16. January 2012
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SilverFast 8 has been successfully adapted to the individual hardware specifications of further three scanner. SilverFast 8 scanner software is now available for the Epson Perfecton V10, V100 and V350 devices on Windows XP, Vista, Win7 and Mac OS X 10.5 - 10.7.
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