Art
Silverfast is definitely doing autofocus, you can hear the noise of the
mechanism which is quite loud). I have not found a way to manually focus
using Silverfast and the SS120 (I tired turing the autofocus option off in
the side panel but then the AF circle on the prescan image disappears and I
cannot see how ro where to set a focus point.
I did send another follow-up email where I have determined that SF is not
focusing correctly whereas Insight always focuses correctly.
Here is the text of that email below.
Simon
____________________________________________
OK, I have found the problem with the intermittent focus error on the
Sprintscan 120.
Here is the secenario. I put a strip of three 6X6 Delta 100 negs in the
carrier and scanned the first one using Silverfast. Absolutely tack sharp.
I turned the strip round so that the first frame was now frame three and
scanned again using SF. The scan was soft and slightly out of focus. Tried
resetting the negs in the carrier and scanned again but still soft.
I left the strip in the carrier and the carrier in the scanner (i.e. I did
not touch it in any way) and scanned frame three using Insight. It was tack
sharp. I have now recreated this five times with different films etc.
So, the only logical conclusion is that SF is not focusing the SS 120
properly, or at least it is causing intermittent focus errors, perhaps not
having sufficient depth of focus. Insight is always producing tack sharp
scans and the focus is spot on on every one, regardless of which frame is
being scanned.
I will report this to Polaroid and Lasersoft and see what their response is.
________________________________________________________
On 24/4/02 2:55 am, "Arthur Entlich" <artistic-1@shaw.ca> wrote:
> Hi Simon,
>
> I haven't yet taken the time to learn SilverFast. I do know that
> SilverFast allows for manual focus on the SS4000+ and I assume on all
> other Polaroid scanners, while it is not an option with Insight.
>
> Is it possible you aren't engaging focusing at all while using
> SilverFast, and as a result you are getting hit and miss focus?
> (keeping in mind how wide a DOF the SS120 offers). I can't give you the
> specific procedure, having not yet studies SilverFast, but are you sure
> you have been either using autofocus with it, or are engaging the manual
> focus properly.
>
> On my Minolta, which allows for manual focus within the manufacturers
> software, one can move the focus target to anywhere within the preview
> window. Probably similar with Silverfast.
>
> The only other easy to think on cause of variable focus is if the
> gearing is off creating an angled carrier, which could be a mis-moulded
> carrier or a problem within the scanner gearing.
>
> But do make sure you are engaging focus within Silverfast first before
> assuming a hardware problem.
>
> Art
>
> Simon Lamb wrote:
>
>> Jim
>>
>> Thanks for your reply. On the film flatness issue, I do not think it is
>> flatness as I can do five scans without touching the film and two will be
>> pin sharp and three will be soft. If it was bowing of the film I would
>> expect them to all show the same sharpness or flatness. Guess I might have
>> a unit with a defective focus mechanism.
>>
>> Another question. I presume the circle with the cross inside that
>> Silverfast displays in the middle of the prescan image is showing where the
>> focus was taken. Is there any way to adjust or move this to a different
>> area on the film? It does move when you re-crop the pre-scanned image but
>> it would be great to choose a focus areas, much like Vuescan permits with my
>> LS 30.
>>
>> Thaks.
>>
>> Simon
>>
>>>
>>> Simon Lamb wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> I have two questions for other SS 120 owners:
>>>>
>>>> 1. Does your machine make noises like something inside is vibrating,
>>>>
>> almost
>>
>>>> sounds like it is loose and rattling, during the autofocus procedure?
>>>>
>>> Simon, my machine is noisy - a high pitched noise during auto focus and a
>>>
>> kind of
>>
>>> whininning/rattling noise during the scan. I think some of that noise is
>>>
>> from stepper
>>
>>> control.
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>> 2. I have done some focus tests and found that there is inconsistency
>>>> between the focus when scanning frame one on a 6X6 strip and scanning
>>>>
>> frame
>>
>>>> three. In some tests, frame one is very obviously more in focus and
>>>>
>> sharper
>>
>>>> and in other tests frame three is the more in focus and sharper. It is
>>>>
>> due
>>
>>>> to the film flexing slightly when the holder is closed. This
>>>>
>> inconsistency
>>
>>>> is not good as it is causing me to have to redo scans until I get the
>>>>
>> best
>>
>>>> focus, for which I do not have time. Has anyone else noticed this or
>>>>
>> got a
>>
>>>> resolution/workaround?
>>>>
>>> I have had a couple of instances where the film tried to bow in the
>>>
>> carrier. But
>>
>>> repositioning the film and locking it down again seemed to correct it.
>>>
>> I've had little
>>
>>> problems with film not being flat. Having said that, I'll still go for
>>>
>> the glass carrier
>>
>>> when it becomes available.
>>>
>>> Jim
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thanks.
>>>>
>>>> Simon
B&W images at
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