The previous three articles (I, II and III) should provide users with the necessary tools for managing resolution in SilverFast.
And the introductory article Scanning for TV explains some common issues to be taken into consideration. [Read more →]
Quicktip: Scanning 35mm film for Full HD TV output
January 29th, 2010 · Digital Photography, HowTo, analogue photography
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Quicktip: Managing resolution controls in SilverFast (Part III):
January 12th, 2010 · Digital Photography, HowTo, News, Photography, Photography Business, Processing, Quicktips, Scanner, SilverFast, Tips and Tutorials
The previous articles (part 1 and part 2) described the different parts of the resolution control panel in SilverFast, how to use the resolution slider and the “Q-Factor and Screen” values.
The last part of the article deals with the input-output value entries of the resolution panel (number 3 of the graphic) [Read more →]
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SilverFast for the Reflecta ProScan 7200
December 26th, 2009 · News, Scanner, SilverFast, analogue photography
The german specialist for slide technology Reflecta has introduced the new CCD scanner ProScan 7200 for quick image processing at the end of november. The ProScan 7200 scans 35mm negativ and positiv filmstrips as well as framed slides with an optical resolution of 3600dpi x 3600dpi and a color depth of 48bit. An additional infrared channel built into the scanner enables automatic dust and scratch removal.
The SilverFast scanner software was specially adjusted to the technical details of the ProScan 7200 for achieving optimum results.*
More information on SilverFast for your Reflecta ProScan 7200 as well as downloadable test versions you can get here …
* Note: SilverFast supports the ProScan 7200 under Windows 2000, XP and Vista by now. Versions for Windows 7 and Mac OS X will follow early in 2010.
Auto-Sharpening function USM for SilverFast HDR and DC is now aligned to the scanner
December 25th, 2009 · HDR, News, Processing, Scanner, SilverFast
The human perception is aligned to the recognition of edges and lines. So the sharpness impression of photos can be increased by contrast rise of small brightness changes. Conventional sharpening functions often increase the detail contrast of the complete image in general and therefore strengthen also any image interference of the original, details get lost. In contrast the SilverFast Unsharp Masking USM carefully raises the contrast at edges and lines. The sharpened images appear losslessly much more detailed. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags: digitizing·effective tools·image quality·SilverFast·unsharp masking·USM·workflow
Quicktip: Managing resolution controls in SilverFast (Part II):
December 24th, 2009 · Digital Photography, HowTo, News, Photography, Printing, Processing, Quicktips, Scanner, SilverFast, Tips and Tutorials, analogue photography
In the Previous article I described the different parts of the resolution control panel in SilverFast, and how to use the resolution slider.
This article deals with the second part of the resolution panel, the “Q-Factor and Screen” values.
Where Q-Factor stands for Quality factor and Screen value is related to the lines per inch used for printing.
I know, it looks very complicated and confusing. But don’t worry, the default values are optimized to obtain the best quality possible.
These two values are part of a formula derived from the analogue printing world where screening technology is used to create different shades of gray (if you carefully look at a printed picture in a magazine or newspaper with a magnifying glass, you will be able to see this matrix of dots which create the picture).
As I mentioned, the formula is by default optimized.
The short and understandable version of the formula is:
Q-Factor x Screen (lpi)= dpi
The purpose of this is to scan pictures with the optimal resolution for analogue printing and optimal file size. If your pictures are to be printed with a digital printer (like the one in almost every household), this should not be a matter of concern for you (and it is recommended to leave this as is).
If you are working with magazines and newspapers then you should discuss this with your editor and printer to exactly know the values and the sizes they will be printing your images so the quality loss is reduced to its minimum.
The use of this values does not necessarily mean true optical resolution, it is likely that some sort of interpolation will take place (regularly for downscaling).
A more detailed explanation can be found here
In the next article I will explain the scale and output values equation (part 3 of the resolution panel) and how this can be used combined with the “resolution slider” or the “Q-Factor_Screen” formula to obtain the desired results in terms of resolution.
→ No CommentsTags: image quality·Q-factor screen value·scaning resolution
The automatic Hot-Folder system for effective image processing
December 23rd, 2009 · HDR, News, Processing, Scanner, SilverFast
Image processing is easier and quicker then it ever was before! With the new SilverFast Hot-Folder feature, which is available as an add-on to the SilverFast HDR Studio and DCPro Studio versions, automatic adjustments to the entire series of images is easy.
| The Hot-Folder principle The images to be processed are stored in different input folders, for that processing parameters can be set separately. All images become automatically optimized after the conversion process is started. The final images get filed in the respective output folders. “Workflow automation with the SilverFast Hot-Folder system is quite easy to set up …” |
(Click to enlarge) |
Read more on the SilverFast Hot-Folder feature.
→ No CommentsTags: digitizing·effective tools·Hot-Folder·photo archive·SilverFast·workflow
Quicktip: Managing resolution controls in SilverFast (Part I):
December 15th, 2009 · HowTo, News, Photography, Processing, Quicktips, Scanner, SilverFast, Tips and Tutorials
SilverFast has a very complete set of controls for managing the scanning resolution (although sometimes complex to understand). When mastered and properly used, these controls can prove very effective.
The resolution control panel can be found under the “Frame” tab and is basically divided into three: [Read more →]
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SilverFast for CANON’s CanoScan 5600F
December 2nd, 2009 · News, OSX, Scanner, SilverFast
The 5600F is a popular flatbed scanner with a transmissive unit, which scans almost any original like photos, slides, filmstrips and documents. The scanner features LED technology and is therefore ready for scanning without any heating period. Windows support: For the first time the many additional features that SilverFast offers are now available for Canon’s 5600F – for perfect scans.
More information on SilverFast for your CanoScan 5600F as well as downloadable test versions you can get here …
(A Macintosh support is currently not possible.)
Quicktip: Scanning 35 mm film stripes with the Nikon Super CoolScan 5000 ED + SA-21, SA-31 (Filmholders)
December 1st, 2009 · Digital Photography, HowTo, News, Processing, Quicktips, SilverFast, Tips and Tutorials
Nikon has created top notch film scanners (probably the best dedicated film scanners) for some years now, being the Nikon Super CoolScan 5000 ED the top of the line on its 35 mm scanner line. However, working with its film holders can prove complicated.
This is true for the film holders SA-21 and SA-30 which are used for scanning 35mm film stripes of up to 6 pictures.
The next steps describe a good way on how to operate these film holders. [Read more →]
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Interview with Gerhard Wolff of LaserSoft Imaging
November 30th, 2009 · Processing, Reviews, Scanner, SilverFast
The Nikonians are a large online community of Nikon users. Jason and Rick, the Nikonians’ “Image Doctors”, regularly podcast every two weeks on topics around imaging and photography since the end of 2005. In podcast number 105 they feature a thirty minutes interview with Gerhard Wolff of LaserSoft Imaging. They are talking about the changes that scanners and scanner software SilverFast have made during the last years. [Read more →]