Trying to improve the fidelity of my C41 scans (with SilverFast and Microtek F1) I cam across the ColorNeg (actually called ColorPerfect) pluging for Photoshop from CF Systems (see HERE)

I have just downloaded the test version and tried it with Ektar 100 shot. So I did one scan with the Silverfast and NegaFix - came out rather live-less. The second scan was made as positive and the ColorNeg was applied as a filter. See the results below (note that as a test version there is a fine grid over ColorNeg image)

While both of these were made in a quick and dirty way - I wanted to see what would be the starting point before one goes into fine tuning.

1) SilverFast & NegaFix,
2) slight curves and resize in CS3 (I did not try to "rescue" the color - way too dull/cold to begin with):


1) SilverFast positive scan
2) ColorNeg filter: (select Ektar 100)
3) ColorNeg filter: slight adjustment on color balance (not much, really)
4) slight curves and resize in CS3
- probably too warm/yellow, but looks much richer to me


Please note - I am not sure whether my SilverFast Settings (Options) are optimal - in particular the way the gamma (2.0) and color profiles are set (though pretty much default settings) what would influence both scans.

My question(s):
1) I find the ColorNeg worth a shot, but I am a bit in a loss as there does not seem to be some decent manual that would explain the logic. I am reading through the PDF file from SF Systems webpage, but it is far from easy. So - if anybody out here has some reasonable workflow it would be great if you could share.

2) What would be the optimal basic settings (for the SilverFast) to get as least "biased" scans as possible from the SilverFast so that subsequent conversion with ColorNeg gives the best results.

I have yet to try E6 scans, but right now I am concerned about the C41.