Image too dark on Epson 4180 Photo scanner

[fred]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.scanner (More info?)

I am having a problem scanning in color photos with my Epson 4180 Photo
scanner. The images come out too dark. I can't lighten them enough
using the controls in the scanner software (even with Brightness at
100%). The only way I can get a usable image like the original is to
tweak it with Photoshop Elements 3.

This is a real PITA, with every copied image requiring this extra step.
Could something be wrong with my scanner? Is there other software that
would turn out a better image without the need for adjusting each one
individually? Any other suggestions?

TIA.

 

[user]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.scanner (More info?)

Have you double checked to make sure you have the calibration notch at the
top of the holder oriented correctly and that the calibration notch area is
kept clear (no film encroaching in the notch area)? The the area under the
glass spotlessly clean? The lid is plugged into the base of the scanner
correctly, right? Those are some common places to start for trouble like
you describe.

Doug
--
Doug's "MF Film Holder" for batch scanning "strips" of 120/220 medium format
film:
http://home.earthlink.net/~dougfisher/holder/mainintro.html

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.scanner (More info?)

Also, is this a new or old problem?
Are you scanning only the photo and not any of the blank illuminated area?

 

[fred]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.scanner (More info?)

I think you're asking about how the scanner handles positive
transparency slides. Actually, I also get a too dark image. Even
setting the Brightness control to 100 doesn't fully bring the slide to
its original brightness.

I did double check how the slide holder was set, and it was correct as
you described.

Is it significant that I get the same low brightness result from both
transparency and reflective material?

 

[fred]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.scanner (More info?)

Good question. I've never been able to scan and use. The output was
always somewhat underexposed. Now it's much worse. I haven't made more
than 50 scans, and the scanner is always off except when in use, so the
light tubes shouldn't be used up.

As I mentioned to Doug, I get underexposure of both transparencies and
prints.

You asked: " Are you scanning only the photo and not any of the blank
illuminated area? " I set the marquee size to just the print, and that
size (4" x 6") is shown as the area. Isn't that correct?

BTW, the scanner is only 9 months old and, as I said above, has not
been used for that many scans. Do you think this is a hardware problem
that Epson should repair, or is it an "Operator's error"

TIA.

 

[CanoN]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.scanner (More info?)

Hello

I have only tried 6 x 6 positive, its rather ok. But I use SilverFast. Try
silverfast demo.

Roine


"Fred" <fredhanson@att.net> skrev i meddelandet
news:1126713019.535513.46460@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>I think you're asking about how the scanner handles positive
> transparency slides. Actually, I also get a too dark image. Even
> setting the Brightness control to 100 doesn't fully bring the slide to
> its original brightness.
>
> I did double check how the slide holder was set, and it was correct as
> you described.
>
> Is it significant that I get the same low brightness result from both
> transparency and reflective material?
>

 

[fred]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.scanner (More info?)

Roine--

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried the SilverFast Demo and it is
much faster and its automatic correction mode produces a usable (but
not quite correct) image. For some of my work it would be OK, for the
rest I'd still have to go to Photoshop to get an accurate color
outcome.

Do you or anyone else have suggestions for other scanner programs
that have good correction programs?

I'd be happier with dust removal and restoration of faded
images--some of my work is for ancestor pictures that are fairly faint.

Thanks again, and hoping there are other products to audition.

Fred