Newbie: why "Unsharp Mask Filter" always checked?

[Silence Seeker]

I have this brand new EPSON PERFECTION 32000 PHOTO scanner which I
intended to use for digitally archiving my old family photos and
negatives.

I am trying now a pilot scan of a 35mm color negative and I am using
3200dpi resolution (as can be seen in the following snapshot
http://silenceseeker.50megs.com/images/epson-scan-settings.jpg).

I uncheck the "Unsharp Mask Filter" and click "Preview", but whenever
the preview scan is complete, I find the "Unsharp Mask Filter" checked
again.

Why? why is the software cancelling my selection? (what is this
setting anyway?) Could it be that the software knows better and
decides to always force the Unsharp?

Also, does 3200dpi look to you the correct setting for 35mm negative
scanning?

Thanks,
Sam

 

[Olaf Ulrich]

I uncheck the "Unsharp Mask Filter"
and click "Preview", but whenever
the preview scan is complete, I find
the "Unsharp Mask Filter" checked
again.
Why? Why is the software cancelling
my selection?

That's strange. The software should not cancel your
selection. Looks like a software bug to me. Search
Epson's web site for a patch or an updated version.

(What is this setting anyway?)

It's a software function that makes the scanned image
sharper. Very useful feature but generally, it is not the
scanner software that is supposed to apply the unsharp
masking---the digital image processing software is
(i. e. Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop, or whatever you have).
The sharpening should be done after any manipulations
and corrections, like cropping, tones, contrast, colour
cast removal, are completed.

To learn more about sharpening with the unsharp-
masking function (and where the funny name comes
from), see:
<http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/understand
ing-usm.shtml>

Also see:
<http://www.scantips.com/>

Olaf

 

[;-]]

That's strange. The software should not cancel your
selection. Looks like a software bug to me. Search
Epson's web site for a patch or an updated version.




It's a software function that makes the scanned image
sharper. Very useful feature but generally, it is not the
scanner software that is supposed to apply the unsharp
masking---the digital image processing software is
(i. e. Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop, or whatever you have).
The sharpening should be done after any manipulations
and corrections, like cropping, tones, contrast, colour
cast removal, are completed.

To learn more about sharpening with the unsharp-
masking function (and where the funny name comes
from), see:
<http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/understand
ing-usm.shtml>

Also see:
<http://www.scantips.com/>

Olaf

The dpi for the scan depends on the print enlargement size you want as an
end result. There are mathematical tables available for working it out. I
think solutions can be found at Scantips.
For example to simply duplicate a 35mm neg, 300 dpi will produce a 35mm dupe
and the print will be approx 1.25" x 1.25". For a 10x8, roughly 1200 dpi
will do it and your image will be about 10mbs. Compressed jpeg about
400kbs.Your 32000 dpi would seem to be overkill and storage will be a
problem.

 

[Mac McDougald]

The dpi for the scan depends on the print enlargement size you want as an
end result. There are mathematical tables available for working it out. I
think solutions can be found at Scantips.
For example to simply duplicate a 35mm neg, 300 dpi will produce a 35mm dupe
and the print will be approx 1.25" x 1.25". For a 10x8, roughly 1200 dpi
will do it and your image will be about 10mbs. Compressed jpeg about
400kbs.Your 32000 dpi would seem to be overkill and storage will be a
problem.

Get your posts mixed up?

Mac

 

[Silence Seeker]

That's strange. The software should not cancel your
selection. Looks like a software bug to me. Search
Epson's web site for a patch or an updated version.

Thanks Olaf. I just did so and discovered that I was using the
original version 1.00A that came with the CD, while an updated version
1.25A has been availabe since December 2003...

I downloaded it and installed it, hoping to see that strange behavior
disappear. Alas, the same exact behavior exists: I uncheck the
"Unsharp Mask Filter" and click "Preview", but as soon as the preview
scan completes, the "Unsharp Mask Filter" is "automagically" checked
by the software.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Sam

 

[Silence Seeker]

Thanks Olaf. I just did so and discovered that I was using the
original version 1.00A that came with the CD, while an updated version
1.25A has been availabe since December 2003...

I downloaded it and installed it, hoping to see that strange behavior
disappear. Alas, the same exact behavior exists: I uncheck the
"Unsharp Mask Filter" and click "Preview", but as soon as the preview
scan completes, the "Unsharp Mask Filter" is "automagically" checked
by the software.

Any other ideas?

Well, I just got a reply back from Epson Support and this is what they
say:

"Please hit the PREVIEW button first, after the preview then uncheck
UNSHARP MASK, then hit the SCAN button."

That's it - no further explanation or guidance was provided. So I can
only guess:

Apparently, this is not a bug???
(if so, why is it not documented anyhwere?)

More importantly, what's the logic behind ALWAYS AUTOMATICALLY
checking the "Unsharp Mask Filter" option after *each* preview? Can
one of the scanning gurus enlighten me on this?

Thanks,
Sam

 

[Mac McDougald]

Well, I just got a reply back from Epson Support and this is what they
say:

"Please hit the PREVIEW button first, after the preview then uncheck
UNSHARP MASK, then hit the SCAN button."

That's it - no further explanation or guidance was provided. So I can
only guess:

Apparently, this is not a bug???
(if so, why is it not documented anyhwere?)

More importantly, what's the logic behind ALWAYS AUTOMATICALLY
checking the "Unsharp Mask Filter" option after *each* preview? Can
one of the scanning gurus enlighten me on this?

Thanks,
Sam

I'd say they used some coding shortcut, and just left it at that.

Mac

 

[RSD99]

Gee ... you mean ...

A bug ?! ?! ?!

 

[Mac McDougald]

Gee ... you mean ...

A bug ?! ?! ?!

Of course not. It's a convenience. A FEATURE.
Right.

Mac

 

[RSD99]

Oh ... ANOTHER one of those

"Undocumented Features"

that we would normally expect from Redmond, Washington (of ALL places)?! !? ?!