SilverFast Vs Vuescan

[David DeBar]

I recently stumbled across some references to SilverFast. I see no
references to it on this news group. Does anyone have an opinion on it. I
have been using Vuescan pro for a little while. To me Silverfast looks like
Vuescan on Steroids. Does it do something that Vuescan does not? How much
is it?

BTW I'm about a third of the way thru "Real World Color Management". I'm
just starting to realize how little I know on this topic. Now that I'm
starting to understand the complexities of color management, I wonder how I
ever managed to make a print that looked anything like the true colors!

I already own Monaco EZ Color and the colorimeter that comes with it. My
goal is to profile my Epson 2200 without spending a couple of thousand
dollars on Spectrophotometer.

Dave

 

[RSD99]

"David DeBar" asked:
"...
I recently stumbled across some references to SilverFast. I
see no references to it on this news group. Does anyone
have an opinion on it. I have been using Vuescan pro for a
little while. To me Silverfast looks like Vuescan on
Steroids. Does it do something that Vuescan does not?
...."

ViewScan is a good program, but I use SilverFast AI ... in
preference to ViewScan ... for several reasons:

(1) It has both the 'Curves' and 'Levels' kind of adjustment
screens ... somewhat similar to the corresponding PhotoShop
screens ... and that's what I'm accustomed to using, and

(2) The UI fits my personal "style," and

(3) It seems to be a more 'finished' programming job, and

(4) I personally can do 'better work' with it.


http://www.silverfast.com/


"David DeBar" then asked:
"...
How much is it?
...."

http://www.silverfast.com/

But if you are buying a new scanner, check with the
manufacturer as some vendors (such as Epson) have a 'bundle'
that includes it.

 

[Robert M]

I already own Monaco EZ Color and the colorimeter that comes with it. My
goal is to profile my Epson 2200 without spending a couple of thousand
dollars on Spectrophotometer.

Colorimeter is Spectrophotometer, isn't it?
Just follow the instructions displayed on monaco screens...

VueScan is interesting software, but I personally don't like it's
interface and way it works, I prefer Silverfast, i have SE version,
Ai is more advanced.

I have also EpsonScan software for 4870, it's O.K. for batch scanning
35mm, but pain in the ass for LF, it is slow with big scans, and hungry
for memory...

There is one more software that works with all scanners through their
own twain dirvers, it is ArtScan from Jetsoft, worth a try.

 

[Hecate]

Colorimeter is Spectrophotometer, isn't it?

No, it isn't.

 

[David DeBar]

When I first went to the Silverfast hypertext provided by RSD99 I was
enthusiastic about trying SilverFast but after examining the pricing
structure it looks like the full version would cost me $199 for my old SCSI
UMAX Flat bed scanner version and another $349 for the version to interface
with my SCSI Nikon LS-2000. Then I would need to pay again when I upgrade
one of my scanners. That's crazy! VueScan might not have a user friendly
interface but I have already paid for the pro version that supports both my
scanners and provides free upgrades for life. It's no contest! I'll stick
with VueScan.

Could that price include the scanners?!?!?! I'm sure I could buy them for
that much.

Oh Robert, to answer you question, no they are not the same thing. A
Colorimeter is a mouse sized thing that hangs over or attaches to your
monitor and can aid you in making a very good profile for your monitor. It
does a much poorer job of attempting to build a profile for you printer. A
Spectrophotometer can be used to directly measure the light bouncing off a
printed image from your printer and can build a much better profile.

I just learned this stuff by reading "Real World Color Management" See page
163. Some Spectrophotometers can be mouse sized but are very hard to use.
Others are the size of a flatbed scanner and do a better job and are easier
to use but cost a couple thousand USD.

I did follow the Monaco instruction. It did a great job making a profile
for my monitor but I'm less then pleased with the profile I got for my
Printer. "Real World Color Management" explains why this is.

The more I learn about color management the more I'm amazed that I ever got
a print to look anywhere near the true colors.

Dave

 

[Bart van der Wolf]

No, it isn't.

Correct, and to elaborate a bit more, a Colorimeter as e.g. used in
monitor calibration usually measures three color bands, Blue Green and
Red. This makes the choice of bandpass cutoff and peak response
important, and it would e.g. not be possible to distinguish between
spectral Yellow and an equal mix of Green and Red response (similar
issue for Cyan versus a mix of Blue+Green). However, viewing the same
mix with different lighting would show a shift in color when compared
to the spectrally pure Yellow. This is refered to a Metamerism.

A Spectrophotometer on the other hand, measures many narrow (e.g.
10nm) bands of the spectrum from near-UV to near-IR, and can thus
reconstruct the spectral energy contribution much more accurately.
That would allow to differentiate Yellow from Green+Red light, and can
predict Metamerism.

Measuring an RGB emission, like from the phosphors of a CRT, with an
RGB measuring Colorimeter works reasonably well, but a
Spectrophotometer is more accurate because all differences in the
Phosphor emission spectra (including some amounts of spectral Yellow
and Cyan) will be included in the profiling against a certain
Whitepoint.

Bart

 

[Robert M]

When I first went to the Silverfast hypertext provided by RSD99 I was
enthusiastic about trying SilverFast but after examining the pricing
structure it looks like the full version would cost me $199 for my old SCSI
UMAX Flat bed scanner version and another $349 for the version to interface
with my SCSI Nikon LS-2000. Then I would need to pay again when I upgrade
one of my scanners. That's crazy! VueScan might not have a user friendly
interface but I have already paid for the pro version that supports both my
scanners and provides free upgrades for life. It's no contest! I'll stick
with VueScan.

Could that price include the scanners?!?!?! I'm sure I could buy them for
that much.

Yes their pricing philosophy sucks, thats why I have SE version that
came with my Epson.

 

[Robert M]

Correct, and to elaborate a bit more, a Colorimeter as e.g. used in
monitor calibration usually measures three color bands, Blue Green and
Red. This makes the choice of bandpass cutoff and peak response
important, and it would e.g. not be possible to distinguish between
spectral Yellow and an equal mix of Green and Red response (similar
issue for Cyan versus a mix of Blue+Green). However, viewing the same
mix with different lighting would show a shift in color when compared
to the spectrally pure Yellow. This is refered to a Metamerism.

A Spectrophotometer on the other hand,....

Good to know, thanks...

 

[Cookie Monster]

I recently stumbled across some references to SilverFast. I see no
references to it on this news group. Does anyone have an opinion on it.
I
have been using Vuescan pro for a little while. To me Silverfast looks
like
Vuescan on Steroids. Does it do something that Vuescan does not? How
much
is it?

BTW I'm about a third of the way thru "Real World Color Management". I'm
just starting to realize how little I know on this topic. Now that I'm
starting to understand the complexities of color management, I wonder how
I
ever managed to make a print that looked anything like the true colors!

I already own Monaco EZ Color and the colorimeter that comes with it. My
goal is to profile my Epson 2200 without spending a couple of thousand
dollars on Spectrophotometer.

Dave

Well, it's not that hot. I just checked it out for my canon FS4000US and
they state

.. FARE and ICE functions not supported

Well whats that????? - and for $250!!. I'll stick to vuescan thanks very
much.

cookie.

 

[David DeBar]

Costs lots more AND does not support ICE! Forgetaboutit!

Dave
------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Hecate]

Costs lots more AND does not support ICE! Forgetaboutit!

Must be Canon-specific. It certainly supports ICE for the Minolta
5400. I would suggest that the OP who wrote that was maybe not looking
at the Ai version.

Yes, it is scanner specific, but I'm still going to purchase it. The
Minolta is my last ever film scanner, so I won't need the software any
more after that. And Vuescan and Minolta scanners don't mix.

 

[Carl Miller]

Yes, it is scanner specific,

And they DON'T show the HP 7400c as supported. Is this because they
don't think anyone should own a 7400c? I looked at the SilverFast site
and even though I thought it WAY OVERKILL (I just want SCANNING
SOFTWARE, I already HAVE image manipulation software that I am quite
happy AND familiar with) I wanted to at least try it before I made my
decision. Too expensive? (My opinion.) Too complicated? (My opinion
again.) No support for the 7400c? (Apparent fact as it isn't listed on
their website.) Okay, thanks for making the decision for me SilverFast,
looks like it's Vuescan for me.

I e-mailed SilverFast TWICE to ask if they supported the 7400c.
Apparently they don't even support QUESTIONS ABOUT the 7400c.

 

[Guest]

I just did a comparison with Vuescan 8.1 and the Silverfast Demo 6.2.2
and much to my surprise, the vuescan is every bit as good or better.
The scan was a B&WFuji Acros neg (which is mainly what I shoot)and I
found the grain to be a little less aparent in the Vuesan. When
applying the grain reduction in silverfast I lost far too much
sharpness and I can do the same with Photoshop's despeckle filter
anyway.
I am sticking with Vuescan, a much better value. I like all the bells
and whistles on Silverfast but I have those controls in Photoshop
already.

 

[winddancing]

Jetsoft's Art-Scan is a step above what comes with my scanner but is less
technical than SilverFast. So it is high on user friendliness yet has
curves and histograms and the ability to modify itself relative to the size
of your screen (which my scanner's software doesn't).