Scanning overexposed B&W 4x5 negatives with SilverFast...

Any scanning gurus in here using SilverFast?

When scanning a B&W negative (4x5) that is overexposed about a stop or so I cannot get a good scan from SilverFast. Nothing seems to work. The interesting thing is that I can get a good scan using Epson Scan. Every time.

I’ve tried resetting SilverFast. I’ve tried turning Negafix off. I’ve tried every slider. None seem to be able to reduce the exposure of the negative very well. Epson Scan - no problem!

Anyone else experience this?

I’m on a Mac. Using an Epson V850.

Thank you!

David

Have you tried scanning to a linear file, then converting in PS? I use ColorPerfect for this step.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alan9940

Have you tried scanning to a linear file, then converting in PS? I use ColorPerfect for this step.

---

Yes, I used the DNG 16bit option whereby SilverFast doesn’t use any settings.

Are you using the Expert Mode in Negafix to set the highlight and shadow points to include the entire histogram?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Oren Grad

Are you using the Expert Mode in Negafix to set the highlight and shadow points to include the entire histogram?

---

Yes, it’s the overall brightness of the image. I’ll post an example here tomorrow.

I am amazed how well very thin negs scan on Epson

I overexposed a shot by.... a lot. I'm guessing about 9-10 stops. When I pulled it out of the fixer, I thought I'd screwed up the development, but the other two negatives were fine.

Was able to get a good scan of it with SilverFast anyway (Epson v800, Windows).

I don't bother with expert mode on negafix usually-- do a pre-scan, do basic color correction with negafix (if needed), then open the generic histogram window, and set the shadow/highlight endpoints manually. You'll get more grain than you would expect, but the image should come out usable.

>> I cannot get a good scan from SilverFast. Nothing seems to work. The interesting thing is that I can get a good scan using Epson Scan. Every time

Why not to scan with what works and be done with that?