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Photography Question 

Silvia Ganora
 

Tips on scanning dias


I own an Epson Perfection 1240U Photo that can scan dias... problem is I'm a bit confused on how to scan them: what resolution should I need? I've heard it's better to scan at the highest possible resolution, which would mean at 2400 dpi for my scanner (it's a 1200x2400 dpi)? Anyone using the same Epson Perfection?

Thanks a lot :)

Silvia (Italy)


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September 23, 2004

 

doug Nelson
  We are not ignoring your question, Sylvia. What are "dias"?


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September 24, 2004

 

Silvia Ganora
  ...you're right Doug... I was talking about slides, actually :)

Thanks

Silvia


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September 24, 2004

 

doug Nelson
  Slides demand a lot from a scanner. The shadow areas are often too dense for some film scanners, much more of a problem for flatbed scanners. I think you are right in scanning at 2400 ppi. If you can scan at a higher bit depth, do that also (if you use Photoshop to deal with high-bit color). Consider Ed Hamrick's Vue Scan or Silverfast scanning software. They are better than the scanner drivers, but using a flatbed for 35mm slides puts you at a disadvantage. Try it, anyway. The Epson flatbeds have gotten good reviews from the writers at Shutterbug magazine. If it doesn't work out for you, hold on to this scanner, anyway. Any home office needs a flatbed. Also, these flatbeds reportedly do a a good job on medium format negative film.


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September 27, 2004

 

Silvia Ganora
  Thanks a lot, Doug :) I think that for the time being I'll stick to the Epson; a higher quality film scanner would be too expensive for me now... I see my Epson can scan at 42 bits, should I use this option for my slides? I've noticed whenever I try to use it a message warns me some photo editing applications won't support 42 bits... but I think it won't be a problem for Photoshop, right?
Thanks again :)
Silvia


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September 27, 2004

 

doug Nelson
  With Photoshop, you can do your brightness/contrast/color correction in high bit, then go down to 8-bit (Image/Image Mode), and you will do considerably less damage to your colors. Problem is, that if you do your tonal corrections on Adjustment Layers, you must first go down to 8-bit. Somebody tell me whether Photoshop CS allows adjustment layers in high bit. My 7.0 does not.


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September 28, 2004

 

Silvia Ganora
  I'll do some experiments :) Thanks again for your support, Doug.


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September 28, 2004

 
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