Relative advantages of Epson software, Silverfast and Photoshop Elements

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usenet

I'm getting to learn more about my new Epson V700 and I'm now
beginning to wonder which software I should settle on using.

So far I have only installed the basic Epson software and have been
pretty impressed with the results. In particular the 'automatic'
colour restoration has done a good first attempt at restoring some
very faded (and magenta tinted) old slides. I have used the Image
Adjustment and Tone Correction facilities to improve things a bit
further on some of the worst slides.

Will I find that Silverfast and/or Photoshop Elements will make things
any easier or will they just add more and subtler ways to do things?

Presumably even if I do install them I don't have to use them, I can
just carry on using the basic software for most of my scanning and
just use the cleverer software for particular slides.
 
You have much to learn.
Clearly you are new to image processing software.
Stay with what you have if it works for whatever you use it for.
If you want to progress learn to use the Epson software in conjunction with
a program like Elements.
 
I would follow your own advice:

"Presumably even if I do install them I don't have to use them, I can
just carry on using the basic software for most of my scanning and just
use the cleverer software for particular slides. "

When your scans don't match what you want your slide to look like, and
corrections in Elements aren't giving you the results you want, then
try playing with other options. Get used to one program so you have a
basis for comparision, and then test the same slide with different
settings to learn how to optimize your scanner. Have fun!
 
bmoag said:
You have much to learn.
Click to expand...

Don't we all! :-)

Clearly you are new to image processing software.
Click to expand...

Yes, although I have been around photography and computers for a
*long* time. My first photographs (home processed) date back to
around 1960 and I have been working with computers since 1970.

Stay with what you have if it works for whatever you use it for.
If you want to progress learn to use the Epson software in conjunction with
a program like Elements.
Click to expand...
Yes, that seems a sensible way to go, the review of the V700 says that
Silverfast SE offers little more than the basic Epson scanning
software.
 
http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Epson V700/page_1.htm
<quote>
Although EpsonScan does a very good job with most scans, I feel Epson could
have gone the extra mile and offered a better interface than this,
especially considering this scanner is aimed at a higher user level. Having
said that, SilverFast SE is also included - but then it's also included with
the 4990 etc. As previously mentioned there is a good bundle of software
thrown in with the V700, but the user who buys this scanner is more than
likely to have higher end software. <quote>

I'd read the entire review thoroughly. especially the part of manually
adjusting the height of film holders.
 
Yes, that seems a sensible way to go, the review of the V700 says that
Silverfast SE offers little more than the basic Epson scanning
software.
Click to expand...

Epson Scan on my 4870 seemed to fall short of Silverfast, even the SE
version. It was possible to get great results from Epson, but it took
a lot more tweaking and was less reliable. All other things being
equal, I'd go with Silverfast SE. However, it looks like Epson's added
some new features to their software, so the balance might be back on
their side.

PS Elements 3 has only basic image adjustment controls. Unless this
has changed radically in v4, I'd recommend getting things looking as
good as possible in Epson Scan or Silverfast and saving Elements for
minor tweaking, sharpening, and cookie cutter borders (:P).

false_dmitrii
 
I have been using the Epson software, professional mode, with my V700.
Results have been impressive, not quite up to a dedicated slide scanner
in sharpness, but the dynamic range is better. Don't know if I will
install the Silverfast.

Tom
 
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