[Leica] Another Kodachrome

[images at comporium.net (Tina Manley)]

Hi, Jim -

It does work!  I use the Kodachrome calibration slide with Silverfast for
scanning KC and get better results than with any other scanning software.
 However, I do not use the SRD dust removal.  Like all other dust removal
software, it does degrade the image, very, very slightly.  It's only
noticeable if you examine the edges at 100%, but that's what I have to do to
submit stock photos.  Silverfast's dust removeable does a better job on KC
and B&W than Digital ICE, but it's not perfect.  If I'm only going to scan
everything one time, I prefer to remove the dust in PS than take a chance on
any artifacts - even if they're only apparant at 100%.

Tina

On Tue, May 11, 2010 at 12:01 PM, James Laird <digiratidoc at gmail.com> 
wrote:

> Tim,
>
> >From the B&H website for LaserSoft Imaging SilverFast Ai 6.6 Scanner
> Software:
>
> Kodachrome
>
> Kodachrome Scans without Bluecast, Dust and Scratches with SilverFast
>    By implementing improved Kodachrome routines into SilverFast
> Version 6.6 it's finally possible to achieve high quality scans of
> Kodachrome slides with the highest possible dynamic range: color
> calibrated and free of bluecast, dust, and scratches
>
> Kodachrome ICC Profiles & Scanner Calibration
>    Anyone working with Kodachrome scans without properly adjusting
> the scanner to the special film material knows the problem of the
> nasty bluecast. Some scanner manufacturer's software may have a
> Kodachrome mode for selection, which usually isn't very helpful,
> because a device specific calibration is lacking. It needs a color
> calibration with a Kodachrome target to avoid the bluecast problem
> completely. Unfortunately Kodak has stopped producing Kodachrome Q60
> targets in 1999.
>
>    Therefore we have implemented generic Kodachrome ICC-profiles for
> many supported film scanners in SilverFast 6.6. This is a good
> starting basis. For really true color results it needs a scanner
> calibration. For this purpose LaserSoft Imaging offers special
> Kodachrome targets
>
> Kodachromes with Maximum Dynamic Range
>    It is a considerable challenge to scan a Kodachrome slide without
> sacrificing some of the film's inherent dynamic range. This is because
> Kodachrome's dynamic range reaches up to 3.8D - which is a grayscale
> range of 6300 shades and equals a contrast range of 1:6300!
>
>    Fortunately SilverFast Multi-Exposure can handle the enormous
> dynamic range with film scanners. This assures reproducing the deepest
> shades inside Kodachromes successfully
>
> Kodachromes without Dust and Scratches - SRD and iSRD
>    Because its film material is very different than normal color
> films, ordinary dust and scratch removal tools (like ICE) fail with
> Kodachromes. SilverFast uses a combination of advanced dust and
> scratch removal functions, SRD and iSRD, on several layers and masks
> in order to guarantee dust and scratch free Kodachrome scans
>
> >> snip
>
> By utilization of iSRD & SRD and several layers & masks it is even
> possible to remove dust and scratches from very challenging film
> material like Kodachrome or B/W-film reliably. This isn't achievable
> with similar systems from other manufacturers
>
> Sounds good if it works. Tina?
>
> Jim
>
> On Tue, May 11, 2010 at 9:46 AM, Tim Gray <tgray at 125px.com> wrote:
> > On May 11, 2010 at 09:39 AM -0500, James Laird wrote:
> >>
> >> What would scare me away would the support issue. Film scanner are
> >> getting to be like Kodachrome, a thing of the past. Who know how long
> >> Silverfast will be around. And will they keep updating it for the
> >> latest OS?
> >
> > They seem to update their software pretty frequently.  They officially
> > support OS X 10.6 for the Nikons for example, which is better than can be
> > said for Nikon itself.
> >
> > By the way, if I were hypothetically interested in Silverfast, which
> version
> > do people suggest?  That's the other thing that is off putting to me.  6
> > different versions with obtuse nomenclature.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Leica Users Group.
> > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>
>


-- 
Tina Manley, ASMP
www.tinamanley.com