Optimum scan results for brilliant images

Lucia H. - I often had devices by Epson and the truth is that I never had any problems with them. I decided to get the V850 since it comes with SilverFast and I have never regretted it. Having used it for several months, I went for the Ai Studio upgrade and a target. The reason being that I always had trouble with i1 and in SilverFast the IT8 calibration works automatically. I can definitely recommend both, scanner and software, unconditionally.

John Gittens, professional photographer - As a lifelong but now retired Professional Photographer I have scanned many images though most in recent years. In 2003 we purchased an Epson 2450 scanner. Included with that scanner was the SilverFast program. At that time I had never heard of it, had just used the software that came with previous scanners. We recently purchased a new Epson scanner, the Perfection 850 Pro as our previous one wore out. To say the least I was very surprised at the options offered with SilverFast and naturally used that for all my scanning. Since that time, they have constantly upgraded options in their software, naturally each time improving it. There are options for scanning virtually anything you might want to scan, transparencies, colour negatives, black & white negatives, prints and documents. There is even a separate option for Kodachromes. There is also the option for scanning in newspaper or magazine cuttings - Descreening, if there is a picture in there that you want to make a copy of for yourself. However as well at the options for Automatic Image Optimization for many different types of images, one can also use ones own judgement for changing settings such as colour, contrast, density, as well as being to change overall colour, one is able to change individual colours of an image without changing all. You can choose what ‘bit’ size you want your image as well as the finished scan size. One can set up a number of frame sizes for different size negatives or transparencies and save them for future use. If your scan item is not as sharp as it should be there is Unsharp Masking, another for Dust and Scratch removal. If you put your image in the scanner the wrong way, inverted, upside down, whatever, do not worry, with a couple of clicks that can be corrected. I must say it amazes’ me the improvements they keep making. As stated I am now retired but most days you will find me at the computer using SilverFast to scan in the many thousands of images in our files that we want to save AND improve in a great many cases. Just one example, in the 1950’s I used a roll of Gaevert transparency 35mm film to test it. Glad to say I did not buy any more, as many years ‘down the road’ I looked at a couple of those that I kept, and they were completely Magenta. I assumed they were ‘dead’ but did not throw them away. One day while scanning I happened to come across one of them, so decided to see what I could do with SilverFast. I must tell you that I was amazed at the result. It was not that the quality was as good as from a good colour transparency but it did give me a useable image! At this time I am scanning in some old black & white Newspaper cuttings that we do not have prints or negatives of, for a book. Again, they are not as good as from a good negative or print but they are useable, thanks to SilverFast.

Gregory Knipp - I’m an amateur photographer currently involved in a project to digitalize a collection of old 35mm slides, 35mm and 120 negatives, as well as color and B&W photos. After my original scanner died, I purchased an Epson V-750 PRO. I was happy to see LaserSoft Imaging’s SilverFast Ai bundled with it since I had used SilverFast before and had obtained very good results with it. I have since upgraded to the Ai Studio version.

John R. Spurr - My thoughts on using SilverFast SE as my only scanner control program. Recently I had the misfortune of having my Windows XP Professional Computer die when the main board quit. While looking into upgrading with a new board or switch out completely to a New Window 7 Professional it became evident that I would have to make the big switch to a new replacement. I am heavily loaded with XP software so I was concerned about which software would have to be upgraded as well. I have an Epson Photo 3200 and have been extremely happy with the results that I have obtained. I am heavy into retouching and restoration of photos as it is a sizable part of my photo business. I installed all the software packed with the 3200 which consisted of the regular supplied company software and SilverFast SE. When I discovered just what I could do with the software and the amount of control that it offered for black and white films (such as by brand) as well as transparencies and prints, I selected to use it exclusively and never really used the alternative software.

John Barclay - Archive Suite & Epson V700

Mark Segal - SilverFast & Epson V750

Kodachrome - Special Profiles for Brilliant Results

Thanks to our special Kodachrome profiles for our Epson software you have three major advantages compared to usual software that let you finally scan your Kodachrome slides in high quality: maximum Dynamic Range, IT8 calibration and free of dust and scratches.

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.

If you scan Kodachromes without IT8 calibration, the scans will consistently show a strong blue cast. Using SilverFast, the user simply goes to the general panel in SilverFast's main control dialog selects "Kodachrome" from the Pos./Neg. pop-up menu. SilverFast now applies a Kodachrome profile, which is specifically adjusted for your Epson scanner. The blue cast is removed from the image!