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SilverFast 6.5 New Multi Exposure feature


darren vena

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I bought one a week ago and I only scanned three guinea pig negatives that I keep for reference just to observe. First I noticed is the Silver Fast scans faster than my NikonScan and VueScan. The dynamic range is a big help on under-developed B&W processing due to "experimenting". It's a guinea pig! Such a way that it gave texture to clipped highlights making it good enough to present. The dynamic range feature gives better depth in my Simmulux snaps and stunning in my APO Summicron snaps.

 

I still have a lot to work and get to know the scanning software.

I just developed an Ilford FP4+ 125 this morning on an ID11.

I should find time to scan tonight or tomorrow and tell you about it.

It's still hanging to dry. =)

 

There are colleagues here who has been using Silver Fast for a while.

Also I haven't scanned anyting in color, since I shoot mostly traditional B&W.

 

Con: Silver Fast only work on a particular machine and model.

Mine is only set-up to work for a Nikon CoolScan 9000ED.

Therefore it wouldn't work on my CoolScan 5000ED that I use in my vacation or business trips.

 

BTW, my business trips don't have anything to do with photography.

I'm only an amature photographer since highschool.

 

Cheers!

-Ron

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Leica Classic M6, Summilux 35mm f/1.4 asph, Ilford FP4+ 125, Ilford ID-11 1:1

 

Darren, here's something quick for your inquiry.

I'm only a week with Silver Fast, I'm still exploring it's strengths.

GaudiBarcelona.jpg

Antoni Gaudi's residence gate entrance @ dusk. Barcelona, España

 

 

True gray scale, this is the reason why I bought the scanning software.

Solevillas3-copy.jpg

Bistro at the Ramblas, Tarragona España

 

Hope this helps

 

-Ron

 

Added: Scanned by a Nikon 9000 ED.

I'm sure you are aware that Silver Fast only work for a "particular model" of scanner.

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but those may not be representative of typical situations.

 

That's a good idea Chris, I just checked their website and read what they claim.

But the sample was in an MF transparency (6x6)

I never knew that it was a feature, but I also want to know how well is SF in 35mm.

I'll make an evaluation tomorrow or better yet Friday and post some comparative snap.

Likewise I'll look for a low lit or shadowy negative or transparency to boost the noise factor.

 

-Ron

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Chris,

 

Here's a comparative 100% crop of Silver Fast Multi Scan feature.

 

M7, Summilux 50mm f/1.4 Asph, Kodak Ultra 400

ObonFestivalcopycopycopy2.jpg

Obon Festival 2006 - Little Tokyo, Los Angeles CA

 

 

16x Scan

ObonFestivaltest16xtest.jpg

 

1x Scan

ObonFestivaltest1x.jpg

 

Hope this helps.

 

-Ron

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Hi Ron, I'm really sorry to have to say this but I can only see minor differences between the two - but I'd agree that the 16x is better. The scanned image has a strong cyan cast to it too - easy enough to correct, especially if you're trying the beta of CS3.

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That was post processed with cooling filter. =) Except the 100% crop was straight from the scan. I'll send you another one. But I think it's too contrasty to my monitor. I'll use the LUF Bandwith this time. Maybe it's more forgiving than Photo Bucket.

 

It still suck. Seriously, I wouldn't mind paying membership to LUF just to get a good bandwith.

 

-Ron

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Ron, I can see what you mean about contrast.

 

Incidentally what I was alluding to with the CS3 comment is that you can tell CS3 to open Jpegs in the RAW converter interface, so you have easy access to all the facilities present - including setting white balance. Why Jpegs and not Tiffs as well, I have no idea, other than they're looking for digital camera users to have a common interface for RAW and Jpeg work.

 

So, here's you're shot with the white balance set by clicking on one of the kimonos. I hope you don't mind me uploading this.

 

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If you have upgraded your PS from an earlier version, you will need the Serial Number for the original install, not the upgrade.

 

I have been upgrading my PS since v6. Unfortunately, I'm darned if I can find the original install disks for v6, which is a bit of a problem.

 

Good job I have decent back-ups of my installations...

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If you have upgraded your PS from an earlier version, you will need the Serial Number for the original install, not the upgrade.

 

 

You got me Andy, Now I have to look for the original serial number of PS 7. Mine is also upgrade. Thanks for the info.

 

-Ron

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Ron: It seems like your demo shows multi sampling, not multi exposure.

 

Multi sampling means averaging identical scans multiple times to average out the effect of random noise. This is a technique for noise reduction.

 

Multi exposure means combining scans at different exposure levels (i.e. adjusting the output level of the scanner's lightsource or a longer exposure, I don't know how it's done really) into one final scan. This is a technique for boosting the dynamic range.

 

Multi sampling has been available in SilverFast with many scanners (including the Minolta) for a long time. Multi exposure, however, is new.

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Sorry Chris,

 

I don't shoot RAW in my Digital or two jpg snaps, one for the sky and one for the subject on a tripod.

I did it once or twice before on landscape, but I used Miranda.

I barely shoot landscape. My interest is candid people snaps.

If it's a serious snap, I use 35mm colored or B&W.

If I'm in the mood for high resolution to capture the sky and subject without clipping the highlights, I use a 6x6.

 

Sorry again for the delayed response.

Sometimes it's hard to go home early from work.

 

Cheers,

-Ron

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Ron: What I meant to say is in the newest version of SilverFast, the software can take multiple exposures of THE SAME SLIDE to produce different scans, which are then processed into a single scan with higher dynamic range. The software adjusts exposure either by adjusting the light output in the scanner or the scanning time.

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I just started using Silverfast 6.5 after comparing it to vuescan and the Polaroid software for my Polaroid scanner. The deciding factor was the Silverfast scans were sharper. It also scans quicker too.

 

The multi exposure mode is not supported on my scanner, but after reading an article posted in the digital forum in regards to the Leica S1, I and understand how it could be hit or miss. In the article, they were discussing copying tapestries with the S1 and assembling all the images back together. The just of the article was things move betweeen shots and it makes it difficult to stich everthing back together.

 

The New Yorker : fact : content

 

My guess is for the multi-exposure to work best the film would need to be in a glass carrier or wet mounted. Don't forget Silverfast's is used with a lot of the large drum scanners.

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