[Leica] Scanning Software

[pklein at 2alpha.net (Peter Klein)]

I use VueScan.  It's gotten better results out of my Leica negs and slides 
than the native software of either my former Nikon LS-2000 or my current 
Canon FS-4000.  But what Tina and others point out is quite true--Vuescan 
is not intuitive.  What it does for you is worth its weight in *gold.*  But 
the user interface is expertware (or geekware, if you prefer).

I've gotten to the point with Vuescan where I usually know what to do.  But 
when I switch films, upgrade to a new version, or just haven't used it for 
a few days, I often blow the first scan because I forgot to go to the third 
menu on the right and change Parameter X from "obscure" to "opaque."

The CanonScan application is very intuitive, and the infrared clean is a 
little more effective.  But unfortunately, it works slower than VueScan, 
and always ends up losing a bit of both highlight and shadow detail. Hard 
and contrasty, like 4x6 prints from the drugstore.

Can someone tell me how to get (with Canonscan) the "flat" Vuescan-like 
scans where all none of the dynamic range is thrown away?  If I ever figure 
this out, I'd happily use the Canonscan software for all but the hardest 
scans.  But so far, Vuescan wins almost every time.

--Peter

At 06:15 PM 5/13/04 -0700, you wrote:
>I agree with Adam.  Nikon does everything I want it to.  Silverfast is
>grossly overpriced for what it does.  Vuescan is not intuitive at all and
>comes with no hints on how to make it work.  I find Nikon's latest software
>to be great - all you are doing is scanning.  It's much better to do any
>adjusting in PhotoShop anyway.
>
>Tina