Initial Scans

[d30gaijin]

Since there isn't Lomo topic here I thought I'd post this here just for the heck of it.

I just got a Minolta San Dual IV scanner and have been trying to do something with it. Lots of ugly scans, which gives me a much better appreciation for what I have been asking of my local photo processors. Be that as it may, this is the first reasonably decent scan I have gotten from the Scan Dual IV. It was shot with a Lomo LC-A on some color negative film I don't remember.

This image has been through Photoshop Elements 3.0 after scanning, then saved as JPEG, then to a GIF, and then back to a JPEG (via ACDSee) because I couldn't save it as a JPEG in PS Elements the second time around, for whatever reason. Obviously I am still learning.

Don

[Gordon Coale]

Hmmm. My images from my camera bag post this morning keep showing up. What have I done?! Sorry.

[back alley]

i told you guys, the place is haunted!

[Mike Richards]

There's been a lot of discussion on this subject on the Leica forum. Many of the members prefer VueScan software with their Minolta scanner. If you're not a Leica forum member, try:
http://www.leica-camera.com/cgi-bin/discus_e/discus.pl?pg=flogin
Then enter as guest and click on search. Enter minolta and vuescan, and you'll get a lot of useful postings.
VueScan is available on line for free trial. The free version leaves watermarks, and you'll have to pay for it to get rid of them. It's not too expensive -- $50 for the standard version and $90 for the professional.

[iMacfan]

Hi,

I must say I don't see what all the fuss is about with this VueScan software. Maybe it's because I'm using a Mac, but I tried the free trial and it seems slow and totally unintuitive. The Minolta software is far from perfect, but does seem to allow a good amount of control and is fairly self-explanatory after a little bit of trial and error. Also, it allows you to scan direct into Photoshop Elements.

One thing, though - When I've been using the software as a standalone application, and scanning a large scan with ICE, it has a tendency of quitting the program, not letting me start the scanner again until I restart the computer. Anyone else found this on a Mac or PC, and if so are there any fixes - I think the software is up to date. (Oh, and I'm using a 5400)

Thanks,

David

[RML]

iMacFan, I agree with you on VueScan. I've tried it but found it completely unintuitive to use. I tried for over 10 minutes to get the frame lines set up such that they would select the entire strip (I was trying to scan some shots from my Holga-shot 35mm films and my Noblex-shots 35mm panorama shots, both being double the length of normal 35mm frames). I simply could not get it right. In frustration I almost broke my keyboard but came to my senses in time and uninstalled the program. To this day I'm trying to find a way to scan double length negs on my SD3. VueScan is not the program for me.

[GeneW]

VueScan? Couldn't live without it. It's the only scanning software I've used (on five different scanners no less) that pulls out all the potential of the scanned image

Gene

[peter_n]

I've read critical comments on the Viewscan user interface on several forums. I have a new SD4 and I'm very happy with the supplied Minolta software. But then I'm not printing from the scans, just using them for the web.

[Mike Richards]

I didn't mention it in the previous posting, but I also don't use VueScan. I have Nikon Scan 4 on my iMac and am quite pleased with it. I understand that VueScan has a nasty learning curve, but many prefer it over supplied software.

[ddimaria]

Hi,

I must say I don't see what all the fuss is about with this VueScan software. Maybe it's because I'm using a Mac, but I tried the free trial and it seems slow and totally unintuitive. The Minolta software is far from perfect, but does seem to allow a good amount of control and is fairly self-explanatory after a little bit of trial and error. Also, it allows you to scan direct into Photoshop Elements.

One thing, though - When I've been using the software as a standalone application, and scanning a large scan with ICE, it has a tendency of quitting the program, not letting me start the scanner again until I restart the computer. Anyone else found this on a Mac or PC, and if so are there any fixes - I think the software is up to date. (Oh, and I'm using a 5400)

Thanks,

David

Here's a fix to what you are referring to. This we enable you to restart the software without restarting the computer. Go to : Home Folder, Library, Preferences, DiMage Scan, and then trash the MFSLiblnit file. Once it's out of that folder you can restart the software. I am about to try Vuescan precisely because of these crashes with the 5400 and Mac.

[d30gaijin]

OK, I think I'm starting to get the hang of this scanning thing. Of course it helps when one sits down with the manual and really goes through it.

This was shot with my M6 and 90mm f/2 Summicron-M on Agfa RSX slide film.

[RML]

That's a mighty fine shot!

[kafrf]

OK, I think I'm starting to get the hang of this scanning thing. Of course it helps when one sits down with the manual and really goes through it.

This was shot with my M6 and 90mm f/2 Summicron-M on Agfa RSX slide film.

That's a keeper! Great shot and looks to be scanned very well.

[iMacfan]

Here's a fix to what you are referring to. This we enable you to restart the software without restarting the computer. Go to : Home Folder, Library, Preferences, DiMage Scan, and then trash the MFSLiblnit file. Once it's out of that folder you can restart the software. I am about to try Vuescan precisely because of these crashes with the 5400 and Mac.

Thank you very much - I'll find that very useful.

[StuartR]

Great scan D30Gaijin. It reminds me of a bungee jumping bridge outside of Queenstown, NZ that I visited as a kid.

In any case, as for vuescan, I did not find it very useful when I tried it. In fact, it completely screwed up my scan multi pro. When I tried to use the normal software, it told me that the scanner was already in use. Finally, the KM tech support told me about the above fix. I am actually not too happy about that, as it is not something anyone would be able to figure out on their own. The scanner and software should be able to reset themselves fully when you do a hard reset...this is a flaw in my opinion. On the upside, the scanner has excellent quality. Scanning just takes a bunch of practice...just like a darkroom. There is no way around it.

[kafrf]

VueScan? Couldn't live without it. It's the only scanning software I've used (on five different scanners no less) that pulls out all the potential of the scanned image

Gene

Gene, I use VueScan on occasion, but I can't say that I've used it to its full potential. I use NikonScan regularly and find the interface much more intuitive. Any tips or hints on using VueScan, or links to sites where it is discussed in detail?

Ken

[GeneW]

Warren, your scan looks excellent! You're on your way!

Gene, I use VueScan on occasion, but I can't say that I've used it to its full potential. I use NikonScan regularly and find the interface much more intuitive. Any tips or hints on using VueScan, or links to sites where it is discussed in detail?
There's nothing in one spot but lots of threads at photo.net and the majority of stuff is on comp.periphs.scanners -- and as with any ng, the good with the bad -- but it's an active place.

And, of course, Wayne Fulton's scan tips site: http://www.scantips.com/

I use the scanning software that comes with my scanners quite often for col work, but I find them to be of less use for B&W. The main thing, for me, is not to try to get a scan that looks like a finished product. I try instead to acquire a very broad range of information from the negative -- the results when I do it right look downright muddy -- but that's what Photoshop is for. In VueScan I set the black point and white point both to 0. I find both my KM software and Epson software tend to clip blacks and whites resulting in scans that are too contrasty and that lose highlight and shadow detail.

There's a guy named Mendel (I think) on photo.net who only scans to VueScan RAW and processes the entire raw image in Photoshop. He's posted detailed instructions but it sounded like a fair bit of work.

I'm not a VueScan zealot -- the interface is crude and it takes some while to learn to use it well -- but I'm a satisfied customer ...

Gene

[StuartR]

I find both my KM software and Epson software tend to clip blacks and whites resulting in scans that are too contrasty and that lose highlight and shadow detail.


I have found this as well. My cure for it in black and white is to scan as a positive, setting the black and white points just outside the edges of the histogram, and then invert, level and tweak in photoshop. But like Gene said, it is much better in general to get a very flat or muddy image from the scanner and correct it in photoshop.

[GeneW]

I have found this as well. My cure for it in black and white is to scan as a positive, setting the black and white points just outside the edges of the histogram, and then invert, level and tweak in photoshop. But like Gene said, it is much better in general to get a very flat or muddy image from the scanner and correct it in photoshop.
Good tip, Stuart! I overdeveloped a couple of rolls of film last week and this technique of scanning as a positive saved the day!

Gene

[d30gaijin]

RML & Ken,

Thank you for the kind words.

And thank everyone for the advice. I will try Vuescan, since it's free to try, but I am starting to get the hang of the Minolta software and it seems to be doing what I need. I don't intend to use it for prints at this time, just for web sharing. I thought about getting the Minolta 5400 but it was over twice the price of the Scan Dual IV, and for my intended use the SDIV seems like it should meet my needs. Naturally, those need are subject to change down the road. :p

Interestingly, I find Photoshop Elements 3 a step backward from 2. Granted it is simpler, or more intuitive, for new users but it seems limited for more experienced users (IMHO), with one exception! For use with a digital camera shooting in RAW it has one of the best RAW converters I've used (PS Elements 2 has no RAW converter at all).

Don

[Ken Tanaka]

This is a topic very near to my current neurological system, as I've recently joined the ranks of the 'Scanners". As many of you can likely agree, it can be an exasperating learning process that can turn even the best image produced by the most expensive gear into the kin of a drug store disposable.

I use a Mac with a Konica-Minolta Dimage 5400 scanner. I cannot yet claim mastery but have made quite a bit of progress in the past month and can share some brief notes.

The K-M software supplied with the scanner is adequate but has a tendency toward instability. Once it crashes it will not restart until I log-off or restart the whole o/s. The interface also suffers from that common malady of Japanese software: itsybitsyiconitis. Most of the scanner's functions are accessed by decrypting a dizzying assortment of tiny function buttons displaying icons whose meaning is so unintuitive that it borders on malicious. This is my least favorite software.

VueScan is a terrific value at 50 bucks. It can drive a truly remarkable variety of scanners and it can produce some excellent results from its default settings. But, as others have noted, its user interface is an instrument engineers' dream. Once you get the hang of it you can count on the software to do a good job. But, as there is no documentation to speak of, "getting the hang of it" can be a long journey. This is my 2nd least favorite software.

Finally there is SilverFast AI. This is not inexpensive scanner software but it delivers the value commensurate with its cost. It's user interface is just this side of the boundary of the K-M software's. (Apparently the German programmers like tweaky little buttons, too.) Quicktime tutorial links are sprinkled throughout various strategic locations of the interface. But don't get too excited. They generally lead to movie clips showing the screen of a fellow using some particular feature while mumbling to himself with a thick Germanic accent. It's not useful instructional material. Still, I've gotten the best results from Silverfast AI and it's become the software I use most often for scanning.

-Ken-

[GeneW]

Interestingly, I find Photoshop Elements 3 a step backward from 2. Granted it is simpler, or more intuitive, for new users but it seems limited for more experienced users (IMHO), with one exception! For use with a digital camera shooting in RAW it has one of the best RAW converters I've used (PS Elements 2 has no RAW converter at all).

Don
I'm trying to get my head around this Don. PSE3 offers things like advanced 16-bit editing, Healing Brush, and the Shadow/Hilight Tool among its new features. No old features have been removed. Or is it the interface you mean?

Gene

[d30gaijin]

I'm trying to get my head around this Don. PSE3 offers things like advanced 16-bit editing, Healing Brush, and the Shadow/Hilight Tool among its new features. No old features have been removed. Or is it the interface you mean?

Gene

Gene,

16 bit editing is extremely limited in PSE3, not so in PSE2 (certain 16 bit editing functions are simply not available in PSE3 that are available in PSE2 so I don't know how they can describe that as "advanced 16 bit editing"). Additionally, the working window for editing is very limited in size in PSE3, whereas in PSE2 it can go to most of the available frame, so you end up working with a much smaller image on the screen in PSE3.

Please keep in mind that I have only three days under my belt with PSE3, and there may be a lot I haven't uncovered yet. But my initial reaction is that PSE2 is a better editor, more closely resembling the full version of PS (keeping in mind that I don't have the full version to make a factual comparative evaluation to. I've only leaned over the shoulder of a friend who has the current version of the full PS). But the RAW converter is really nice in PSE3 (I don't know what the RAW converter is like in the full version of PS so can't compare, it may be the same for all I know).

Clearly it will take someone with greater knowledge than me to accurately determine the differences because I am posting only my initial encounter with PSE3.

Best regards,

Don

[furcafe]

Not my experience @ all. I've used VueScan for the past 4 years & it's never given me problems w/my Minolta scanners (starting w/an old SCSI Scan Dual & now a Scan Multi Pro) on OS9 or OSX. Agree that the user interface isn't the snazziest, but I'm not picky in that department as long as it gives me good scans . . .



In any case, as for vuescan, I did not find it very useful when I tried it. In fact, it completely screwed up my scan multi pro. When I tried to use the normal software, it told me that the scanner was already in use. Finally, the KM tech support told me about the above fix. I am actually not too happy about that, as it is not something anyone would be able to figure out on their own. The scanner and software should be able to reset themselves fully when you do a hard reset...this is a flaw in my opinion. On the upside, the scanner has excellent quality. Scanning just takes a bunch of practice...just like a darkroom. There is no way around it.