Calling experienced film scanning users (especially Nikon LS40)...

[kiwi2]

Hi guys....

What do u all use to calibrate your film scanners? Slide target? Without calibration , I find the colors really off with the Nikon LS-40.

Also, do u use the provided scanner software? I read elsewhere that many use the 3rd party ones... How are they much better?

After my scan, I find the images very flat and not sharp at all... as if they were taken from a very cheapo camera! Is that normal? Need to do quite a bit of post-processing right?

Thanks!

[kanni]

ppl who like more control on the scanning process will prefer silverfast software. I think this scanner comes with it as well according to its review.

Generally, I think the third party SW is better as it provides users almost the full control on the input and output plus they also provide negafix to read ur film profile so that a more accurate colour can be produced. But the negafix only apply to some film types. Some ppl also reported that the images produced has a better dynamic range- extract more details in the dark areas.

I dun own a scanner but have chances to use many of them. The scanner color profile can be created using some chart e.g IT8 target provided by silverfast Ai. ( Not sure does it available in ur case) or other calibration software. But I think it is best that you just acquired the output from the scanner. Do the color modification thro ur calibrated monitor. Reason being there are many films hence many film profiles. The calibration will work well only for your slides.

[kiwi2]

Originally Posted by kanni ppl who like more control on the scanning process will prefer silverfast software. I think this scanner comes with it as well according to its review. Generally, I think the third party SW is better as it provides users almost the full control on the input and output plus they also provide negafix to read ur film profile so that a more accurate colour can be produced. But the negafix only apply to some film types. Some ppl also reported that the images produced has a better dynamic range- extract more details in the dark areas. I dun own a scanner but have chances to use many of them. The scanner color profile can be created using some chart e.g IT8 target provided by silverfast Ai. ( Not sure does it available in ur case) or other calibration software. But I think it is best that you just acquired the output from the scanner. Do the color modification thro ur calibrated monitor. Reason being there are many films hence many film profiles. The calibration will work well only for your slides.

Thanks... No one in CS here uses calibration target slides?

I use the Nikon coolscan. I find it tends to underexpose my slides and it's not sharp at all. Got to do a fair bit of post processing...

[PhotoTime]

Hi,

I am using the same scanner, does not encounter (or notice) in the error in the color. I do not calibrate the scanner, just the monitor using adobe gamma.

Do you reset the curves everytime you scan a slide? Do you turn off ICE? They may affect the sharpness, especially if you are using GEM.

BTW, I am using the Nikon scanning software, so there is not as many configuration to be done compared to the scanning software.

[vinlee]

Originally Posted by PhotoTime Hi, I am using the same scanner, does not encounter (or notice) in the error in the color. I do not calibrate the scanner, just the monitor using adobe gamma. Do you reset the curves everytime you scan a slide? Do you turn off ICE? They may affect the sharpness, especially if you are using GEM. BTW, I am using the Nikon scanning software, so there is not as many configuration to be done compared to the scanning software.

Agreed. I'm using Coolscan 4000 with Nikon scanning software. I find that it give me an impressive result. Setting is important. Try with the configure to test the result and see which is the best.