With SilverFast SE Plus 8

Owners of large archives of colour slides or negatives may be aware that they will eventually fade. Digitising them is practical means of preservation even if deterioration may have started but not drastic. Black and white films are effected more slowly.The "Plustek 8200I SE OpticFilm 8200iSE Film Scanner - Black" is a digitiser for 35mm colour and B&W films. SilverFast 8 SE for Windows is included although v9 is available. Carriers for 35mm strips (up to 6 frames) and four 2 x 2 mounted slides are included; those for formats such as half-frame 35mm, 126 and 110 are no longer available as optional extras. The scanner is about the size of two 1Kg bags of sugar placed end to end and quite lightweight. Space will be needed for the carriers' travel.It initially appeared that its power supply was missing. A report was made to the seller, Fuzion, who immediately responded and offered to replace it until they discovered the hiding place which they had twice missed! Excellent service from a UK company.Although the software is provided on CD for Mac and Windows, it can be downloaded or, when possible, copied to a flash drive via any computer with an optical drive. Silverfast should be installed first followed by the driver package. It is then possible to enter user details and the serial number from the CD case. Its many demo movies may be viewed pre-registration. Once fully installed, updates and upgrades are offered. Depending on the choices made, updates start at €49. Once registration is confirmed, there is an option within two months of purchase for a free like-for-like update (8 SE to 9 SE in this instance).Controls are limited to a power button and two mode selectors on the front panel. Power input (UK and Euro adapters are provided) is at the rear as is its USB output. Other than the mode buttons, all other functions are controlled in software. Series 8200i includes infra-red capabilities to identify and locate dust on the surface of the film or slide; with their locations noted, they can be later collectively removed. The alternative is to digitally retouch spot-by-spot, or use a 'healing brush' or equivalent within a photo-editing package although potentially time-consuming.Scanning a colour slide or negative is complex as there are numerous variables. There is a considerable learning curve needed to become familiar with the various settings and their effects for the best results. Although some scans may need minimal correction, others may need several changes to most settings; that takes time!Silverfast can take-on much of the work but scans can be saved as TIFF files (equivalent to RAW format) to maximise the saved data and detail for later correction in graphics software if desired; if initially saved as a JPG file, some of the detail will be lost and only recoverable if re-scanned. Post-correction, the images can then be saved to relatively small JPG files and the TIFF deleted when no longer needed. TIFF files can be 70 Gb each if scanned at 7200 dpi although 2400 dpi is ideal for high quality A4s printed at 300 dpi and the TIFF files then smaller.A faded slide can have a strong cast, often pink, blue or green. Changes to individual channels, curves, contrast and brightness with possible changes to black and white points may recover much of what was lost although it can take time as continuous reassessment and adjustment is likely. Experience may allow some settings to be roughly pre-set with expected approximation to ideals. While Silverfast offers a considerable variety of adjustability, most graphics software can do more with many supporting plug-ins for additional effects.Silverfast supports numerous scanners, flatbeds included, but those supported each need a dedicated version of Silverfast that will need to be purchased and that can prove expensive when several are used. There is an alternative software that claims to offer several advantages, not least internal drivers for all supported models, a Linux version and its low price for a Pro version which alone supports any combination of slide and flatbed scanners for those who cannot install or use Silverfast.A comparison chart for the versions of SilverFast 9 is available and lists all the new and improved functions where applicable. SE Plus may be a worthwhile and relatively inexpensive upgrade for many users while Ai offers considerably more but with the highest fee (up to €249!). Advanced users may gain considerable benefits if able to justify the greater outlay.The software/hardware combination is very competent and capable if the owner or user is prepared to put in the effort. Familiarisation with the software controls and awareness of the changes to settings and their effects will pay dividends. The package is not cheap but can pay for itself by preserving slides and negatives that may otherwise be eventually and permanently lost. Irreplaceable family photos (snaps, school photos etc) will need a suitable photo scanner to preserve them; some include a version of Silverfast.

I can't understand the 1. 2 and 3 star reviews. I have been using an Epson 4990 since 2006 and have just bought this Plustek 8100 (instead if the 8200) and it is a revelation. Absolutely brilliant and so easy to use with excellent results.I didn't bother even touching the Silverfast disk, I already have Vuescan and used that and it recognised the scanner as soon as I installed the driver from Plustek website. I'm using iMac with OS X Mavericks.Scanner is small compact sturdy with 2 mounts - for slides and strips of film. Simply insert slides or strip in holder, slide into slot turn on scanner click preview on Vuescan and there you go - I didn't even bother reading the manual it's that easy and no warm up or calibration - straight I to scanning.The results for Fuji Velvia are much much better than my Epson 4990 a massive difference and I am so happy.Resolution and detail is phenomenal. trust me, for 35mm forget a Flatbed - this wipes the floor with everything including the Epson 750 in Flatbeds. keep your Flatbed for MF/LF and Prints.The scanner lacks infra red dust clean but not a problem as I just clone out using photoshop and thoroughly clean and blow my slides and negs anyway so I saved about £70 on the cost if the 8200 which had ir clean.All on all it is excellent with superb results for a bargain price and easy to use.***UPDATE**I've spent a week or so re-scanning my slides (E6) along with Negatives - and I must say the scanner is excellent.It'd help if I had the IT8 profiles, but I am able to use Vuescan to scan to a very high level.DOWNSIDEIt is not very good at scanning Kodachrome K25. My scans were soft and lacked detail and colour was washed out, whereas the scans from a Minolta scanner my friend scanned these K25 slides with are much better with more clarity, detail and proper K25 colour.My K25 slides needed some work in photoshop to get them to look right. I put this down to the fact that Kodachrome is difficult to scan because of the nature of the slideOVERALLStill at the price, brilliant!UPDATE March 2015.Still going strong.In hindsight I would've opted for the 8200 as the IR channel is useful and cloning out dust is time consuming.Still using Vuescan to good effect.