Epson v700 bundled software

[swmcl]

Hi,

I've just purchased an Epson v700. The software included on the Epson disk has a thing called "ICC profiles (Adobe)". Does this mean the scanner is 'profiled'? Could one assume the best? Is the job of profiling now 99% complete? Is a HutchColor target and appropriate software now only going to eek out that last remaining 1% of performance or is it all a bit of a joke and I still need the target to get a remaining 30% of performance?

Anyone measured the performance gained by using the target?

Looking forward to your learnings.

Cheers,

Steve

[Joanna Carter]

Hi,

I've just purchased an Epson v700. The software included on the Epson disk has a thing called "ICC profiles (Adobe)". Does this mean the scanner is 'profiled'? Could one assume the best? Is the job of profiling now 99% complete? Is a HutchColor target and appropriate software now only going to eek out that last remaining 1% of performance or is it all a bit of a joke and I still need the target to get a remaining 30% of performance?

Anyone measured the performance gained by using the target?
No, the scanner is not profiled in any way shape or form. I suggest you go to http://www.targets.coloraid.de/ and select the target(s) for the film you are planning on scanning. Then you will need appropriate software, like Monaco EZColor to actually make the profiles.

Of course, you can use generic profiles but you will still have to compensate for the colour differences that the different film bases give. Adobe profiles are only really any good for attaching to files that are going to be viewed on the web.

[swmcl]

Thanks Joanna,

Excellent. More CapEX! (not)

It must be a poor attempt by Epson then.

Rgds,

Steve

[swmcl]

Furthermore,

I have previously contacted Wolf Faust of Coloraid.de in preparation for the new scanner. I believe he offers a very good product at an ethical price.

However, I also understand it is better to use targets with more swatches (HutchColor) for a more graduated profile - especially in the darker colours. Yes the price is unbelievably high.

Cheers,

Steve

[Tyler Boley]

good profiling applies to scanning transparencies and reflective art. If you are primarily scanning negs, efforts towards the best profiles may be a waste of time and money. A well setup monitor, and assurances the scanner software is honoring it and assigning a user selectable working space and preview accordingly, is more important to neg scanning. When scans come into Photoshop looking different than the scanner preview, rest assured the settings are not yet correct.
For trannies though, good profiles, as well as the above, along with adherence to the settings used to make the profile in the first place, is the viable approach.
Tyler

[PenGun]

It's worth trying Vuescan, it's free to try. https://www.hamrick.com/

I have not used the Epson stuff since getting it. YMMV.

[swmcl]

Cheers all,

I am literally in the middle of installing my first ever copy of PhotoShop - the CS3 Extended version - and I have owned VueScan Pro for about 3 years. My learning curve is about to be increased somewhat!

The profiling and colour management areas have me a little baffled at present to be honest.

I'm just trying to get everything at a base level so I can image my computer and then get started.

In the recent past I've been saying to the other half that, "Oh I just need a flatbed scanner ... It'll only cost XYZ ... " And now there's the BetterScanning stuff and the profiling stuff and the Photoshop stuff ... and ... and ...

"When will it end?!" she cries.

Rgds!

[Joanna Carter]

However, I also understand it is better to use targets with more swatches (HutchColor) for a more graduated profile - especially in the darker colours. Yes the price is unbelievably high.
What's more, the HutchColor targets are stated to only be available for Fuji for Velvia; trouble is, they don't state whether that is 50, 100 or 100F.

[Greg Blank]

According to Data Color, which btw I am indirectly affliated with, Note: (standard disclaimers), one cannot effectively profile a scanner as the light souce changes too rapidly overtime.

My opinion: one can assign a profile to a scanned file and if one color manages ones monitor then that profile should remain constant and emulsions of the same film in theory could be fiarly consistent.



Hi,

I've just purchased an Epson v700. The software included on the Epson disk has a thing called "ICC profiles (Adobe)". Does this mean the scanner is 'profiled'? Could one assume the best? Is the job of profiling now 99% complete? Is a HutchColor target and appropriate software now only going to eek out that last remaining 1% of performance or is it all a bit of a joke and I still need the target to get a remaining 30% of performance?

Anyone measured the performance gained by using the target?

Looking forward to your learnings.

Cheers,

Steve

[SW Rick]

Take a look at the Silverfast (LaserSoft) website- they sell profiles for 35mm/6x7 and (I think) 4x5- I use them for my scanner (with Silverfast, which came with the "Pro" version of the Epson)- good quality. Not sure how/if they work with other software.

[Joanna Carter]

According to Data Color, which btw I am indirectly affliated with, Note: (standard disclaimers), one cannot effectively profile a scanner as the light souce changes too rapidly overtime.

My opinion: one can assign a profile to a scanned file and if one color manages ones monitor then that profile should remain constant and emulsions of the same film in theory could be fiarly consistent.
Correct, you don't profile a scanner, you use the scanner to create a profile, every so often, from a target created on the same emulsion as the film you are scanning. due to things like light sources in both monitors and scanners, profiling has to be done every so often, not just once.

[Tyler Boley]

Well this is mincing words a bit. I'm not sure what my old friends over at Datacolor may have actually meant. Input profiles are made all the time, of scanners, and they are in fact profiles of that scanner's performance and characteristics.... today. You can throw in other particulars, like it's a profile of that scanner on this date when used with this emulsion with these settings etc... but it's still for the most part a scanner profile.
Perhaps Mr. Tobie would elaborate, he certainly knows his stuff.
Tyler

[swmcl]

Just to clear an issue upconcerning the HutchColor targets,

"All Kodak HCT targets are made on 100 ISO Electronic Output Film (EOF) ... All Fuji HCT targets are made on 50 ISO Velvia (RVP)."

This is part of my email to Mr Don Hutcheson.

Rgds,

Steve