I'll repeat that the reason I stick with NikonScan is that (a) it allows me to boost actual exposure in the scan (either by boosting light source intensity or changing scan speed, I don't know which), a feature I use for almost every Kodachrome I scan, and (b) it allows me to measure the focus value for different points on the slide and manually set a value based on the measurements (this lets you to focus stack for buckled slides) or alternatively to autofocus on a particular point of the slide. I was unable to do either of these when I investigated VueScan, which I otherwise found to be excellent scanning software. Perhaps these features have been added since then. But horses for courses, as they say.
Hi Alan,
VueScan has been able to control the individual R/G/B/IR channel exposure times on the Coolscan models since day one. I already used it when I had an LS2000, and have used it on the LS4000, and read positive reports for the LS5000/8000/9000.
The LEDs emit a constant amount of light, but VueScan can change the time it allows the exposure to last, individually for the R/G/B and Infrared LEDs. That makes them perfectly capable of removing the Mask on Color Negative film and producing superior scan noise quality for each channel. Also films like Kodachrome, which were intended to be projected with a warm color temperature lamp, can be optimally neutralized in response.
It also allows to boost the exposure to near sensor clipping levels by displaying Raw linear gamma sensor signal levels, and thus minimize photon noise. Additionally one can do up to 16 exposures that get averaged to reduce scan noise to 1/4th of the level of a single scan.
It also allows to manually place the focus anywhere on the (curved) film surface, or search for a good average for the entire frame.
IR dust and scratches removal works well, but on Kodachrome it is not recommended (but can be attempted) due to the residual silver in Kodachromes that got inadequately processed.
Cheers,
Bart
