Film Scan Comparison

Hey all you cats and kittens, in this week's episode, Jason breaks the minimum 6ft social distancing rule and gets closer to the camera, and to your hearts.
Scan comparison between Epson scan, Silverfast, and Negative Lab Pro (lightroom)
Scanners in video:
Epson v700
Video recorded on my phone, and Sony a7rii.
Social Media:
Instayams: @50_shades_of_jason
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[@NatePhotographic]

Hi! Nate here, maker of Negative Lab Pro. This video is so great... couldn't stop laughing. Well done. A couple of hints on Negative Lab Pro that may be helpful for viewers. 1) For Tiff scans, I recommend NOT using Lightroom's white balance tool prior to conversion. Without getting into all the technical details, the white balance tools works differently on RAW files vs Tiff/Jpeg files. White balancing on a TIF/JPG prior to conversion is likely to result in strong turquoise casts (which some people love, and others hate - so I guess to each his own?). So here, you could either just convert without white balancing prior to conversion, or you could use the included "Tif Scan Prep" utility, which will more correctly balance out the film prior to conversion. It isn't usually necessary, but you'll get slightly more accurate results if you do that step. You could also create a RAW DNG with either Silverfast or Vuescan, which could then make use of Negative Lab Pro's raw camera profiles. I usually think this produces better results. 2) The default "standard" profile in Negative Lab Pro is on the punchier side, and is based on Lab Scanners default contrast profiles. You can make the "linear + deep" or "linear + flat" profiles the default if you want something flatter, or adjust the whiteclip and blackclip points to taste. Everything you do in Negative Lab Pro in non-destructive (unlike EpsonScan and Silverfast) so it's easy to adjust and re-adjust always working against the original. 3) For backlit scenes, a quick trick you can do is to crop in to just the foreground, and then run the conversion (you can re-crop after). NLP will optimize based on whats in the crop at the time of conversion. 4) Future versions of NLP will have more options for gamut control - which will be especially useful for controlling the bright cherry reds and intense turquoise colors. Hope that helps, and thanks again for the awesome videos you make!

[@briansavage932]

You're a scholar and a gentleman, Nate! Your milkshake brings all the film photographers to the yard.

[@kpsnow2411]

Great tips Nate!

[@sigibergmann9356]

u are a god Nate!

[@connieandstewart]

dropping knowledge! I'll have to try this out and see how the results change! thank you Nate!

[@user-kt1by9oz9p]

I'm going to translate this to some Chinese user of negative lab,thank you so much.

[@KodakBoy]

Ok you had your fun Jason now can I please have my scanner back, I’m sending my wife’s boyfriend to pick it up since you broke my nose and clogged the toilet

[@wahyuprasojo5148]

lol

[@vikmanphotography7984]

There's a story that needs exploring there.

[@Denouermont]

“So you can get liked by all 6 of your parents alt accounts” haha so true

[@fandyus4125]

Seriously though, it pains me to get my shots I worked hard on get 5 likes when some random girl can put a filter on her face and get 127. Instagram really isn't the way imho.

[@riccardonecci8083]

@@fandyus4125 I've been seriously asking myself what's the way to go though... Like, how tf can I make someone at least interact with my photos!?

[@dapeaceswagger]

@@fandyus4125 true that. plus it really isn't the best way to appreciate photography (it crops images, quality is poor and you can't really zoom in to see the details)

[@fandyus4125]

@@riccardonecci8083 You can't, the market is too oversaturated.

[@riccardonecci8083]

@@fandyus4125 that is a sad truth my friend.

[@JudsonGraham]

literally died laughing at the youtube film photographers avengers thing

[@mastaw]

Rest in Peace Judson Graham ???? - 2020

[@thegreaterconundrum]

Nick Carver - Dr. Strange Matt Day - Captain America

[@captaincrazy5075]

I think he forgot Analog Insights

[@Frank-Ding]

I'm kinda new to the film photographers youtube space. Would somebody be kind enough to tell me who each of the "film photographer avengers" are?

[@dubumowith7376]

Analog insights = vision ?

[@StevenShermanSingularity]

Love the commentary. Recently purchased the Plustek Opticfilm 8200 ai scanner with 8.8 silverfast to scan decades of my parents slide photos. Still learning the correct settings especially for any underexposed slides...... Hundreds of Kodak Carousels in my closets now to be scanned. I am sure eventually I shall master the settings... Keep up the fantastic commentary and enjoy a beer discussing the wisdom of life and the value of an analog life....

[@Viniskates]

I came here for the comedy and was not disappointed!

[@onefortrees]

The picture of the mountains during sunrise is stunning. Clap

[@jdpst20]

4:42 I would totally take the EPSON Scan over the other two. It's just way more natural IMO and a better starting point to work with the image if you wanted to tweak it in post a little. It's not a RAW file most likely a TIFF, so having good highlight exposure it looks great and If you wanted you could putt a bit of the shadows up but I think it looks the best and most properly exposed. The colors also look to be the most accurate. I've never had any issues with my Epson software.

[@jameshall5556]

Yeah. Epson scan looks the best here.

[@mapletree736]

I agree I was confused every time he said it was ass and the worst

[@totskieranque9325]

😊

[@totskieranque9325]

😊😊 3:11

[@MrViizualiZe]

asked a question about this on the livestream, got ignored but got a video out of it. Life is good.

[@michisgouro2637]

Love the videos editing and special effects made the comparison experience an absolute blast! 🙏🏻

[@anonharingenamn]

What a beautifully edited video. You made the comparison "shots" really, really well.

[@olawalesanni2872]

Negative lab was my favorite version! Thanks for testing them out for us!

[@MrElectroman3]

This is exactly what I’ve been trying to compare for months. Thank you for this.

[@calahad]

I didn't know it before but now it's clear. Your sarcasm is one of the many things that keep me afloat in these trying times.

[@kian8382]

You and Nick Caver are the best two film photography channels I've found, really enjoyable to watch.

[@justinjamison8678]

Super informative, Jason. I've been using Vuescan for a while but I'm looking to change things up. I definitely appreciate the humor that you bring to your reviews as well. Well done.

[@stephenwdunn6712]

One of the funniest guys on KZbin. Videos are informative and fun. Self depricating but always on the money.

[@alexgibbs5647]

Really enjoyed this video. Definitely informative, and you're mood is just nailing how we all feel right now...just trapped with our own thoughts.

[@HouseOfHorusWorld]

Great video, love the comparisons!

[@vikmanphotography7984]

This was the video that we all badly needed. I had been wanting a comparison like this for a while. I wish that you developed your own film so that you could compare B/W developers

[@HeyxArno]

The dialogue in this video is my spirit animal. Thank you for giving me something I didn't know I needed. Scanning part is informative I guess.

[@jayextarys8616]

Getting a V600 to scan paper photos and slides. Thanks so much for this amazing video, it gives me a good idea - I tend to prefer the SilverFast scan.

[@aarongatewood1224]

Subscribed because your personality is hilarious!! Thanks for the comparison!

[@ewi2772]

I’m in love with your channel, is like watching standup comedy with photography

[@Jeff-rs7xd]

I AM SO GLAD YOU UPLOADED TODAY!!

[@hewhotellsastory]

Thanks for bringing back a memory 1:20 I can recall the funeral pyres just a little farther down the river.

[@joeltunnah]

I turn “CCR” (color cast removal) off in Silverfast. I find it often screws up the colors. I watched so many of these comparisons and reviews last year, I’m confident that Silverfast is overall the best scanning software. For reference I use a Plustek 8200i.

[@ryangordon5491]

Casually throws a sick parallax on the last shot. Well done sir.

[@mikemassa6143]

Very funny video and very detailed! Thanks for the info!

[@avtoportret]

not only hilarious, not only educational, but also simply well made video

[@imanevilpotatoe7546]

I just bought an Epson scanner this morning, and you conforted me in my choice. Great video as always, finally one that kills my boring ass quarantine day routine

[@aristoioannidis7490]

Thanks for your assessment. Much appreciated. For me the Epson solution hit the mark.

[@Decco6306]

Your commentary is god-like, keep it up, I love it

[@sharonchisanga4469]

We would love to have that here in Zambia.❤❤ It's really good have loved them all.

[@kai9_long]

this officially becomes my new favorite ASMR channel

[@antoinedbf4307]

Great video ! i've been fighting with my scans forever.

[@tyrrellmentoor4733]

Been waiting for another upload

[@nino8344]

That motel picture with Cinestill was dope!!

[@megzjr]

Man you are so damn funny 😂 i enjoy how bored/sarcastic you are all the time .. and great content as always

[@justinpatterson4164]

The Silverfast defaults looked so good!

[@jjuarez83]

Agree. Though I get a feeling he was just using defaults and not doing anything really custom.

[@HungUpOnADream1122]

Jose Juarez That was the point of the video, comparing their default results without editing them. It is to show people what the program does itself, not with the user.

[@TheEmptyMayoJar]

It could just be me, but my silverfast doesnt have a cinestill default... does anyone know if there is one?

[@JasonZakrajsek]

@@jjuarez83 you should get that feeling because he explicitly said it’s few times.

[@Barzyz01]

Excellent blend of science, color and humor. Prost!!!

[@idreaminsurfgreen5327]

I am so pumped to watch this! Just switched from Epson Scan to Siverfast. HELP!

[@bryanbernart]

Thank you, I really get a kick out of your videos.

[@raghebabunahla115]

Amazing. You're amazing. Thank you.

[@jacksonjacksonnguyen]

I really enjoyed this video and your humor 😆😭😂

[@LAR1945]

you are just soooo engaging. And smart..

[@jjuarez83]

The nice thing about the V700 is you can use the wet mount scan process to get better results from your film scans. If you have Silverfast there is a option to crossgrade your license at a discount. These flatbeds are great for medium / large format film not so great for 35mm. Silverfast does some interesting scanning at different setting to give you a better dynamic range. I don't scan much at home anymore because it just takes too long and I never been able to match results from pro labs with skilled film scanner operators (except for Black and White, I can get just as good or better black and white scans at home).

[@salmahlizerd]

Earned a subscriber purely in your wit, great video.

[@ramseymellette3169]

Great video! I'm now subscribed!

[@enthdegree]

relieved this is upper decker positive lifestyle channel

[@ronwolfept]

nice job on the comparison and the edit on this video

[@AeromaticXD]

Ahhh a grainydays upload means a good day

[@josephstitt137]

I use Epson scan just because it came with the scanner and one of the most impressive things about the software is how it removes the magenta shift from expired slide film and gives a pretty usable image. Would be interested in how the other software alternatives would handle expired slide film.

[@pilsplease7561]

Silverfast gets weird. Ive had issues with it.

[@user-ux5hp6vp2t]

Like, great editing. Dude.

[@MinTieS.]

Jason looking fresh AF!

[@elliee137]

Nice social network reference

[@SamsonArnettRoughley]

3:26 there's something so satisfying about that cut

[@calvinwu3861]

Great video. I really like it!

[@annie_on_film]

ahh Jason... the antithesis of the photography avengers... and a breath of fresh air!

[@mikeackYT]

Great video! Only thing I would suggest is that NLP does do some weird blue hue casts. I have since been scanning my film with VuScan as DWGs and then using NLP on those and I haven't had the issue since. Maybe something to test out? NPL has an option to pick your film brand but not stock as well.

[@raycoyleiv]

Always can make me laugh - love that

[@wordsrmusic]

Keep the salty humor going, it's gold!

[@ForgottenTasmania]

I like the results from Silverfast but it’s the program I love to hate. Most unfriendly interface, but useable if you buy the third party manual. I’m currently trying NLP as the interface is very nice and it fits into my LR workflow without the export, import hack to fix backwards controls in LR when photographing negatives. It’s just so good to see new products in this space and your review was a giggle. Thank you.

[@brvnos]

It seems all of them needed a little correction, but only one is free. Love your videos, man.

[@gilpineda]

I see grainydays on my push notifs, I click

[@Tsudkyk]

I really love the results I get with my epson, they scans are flat but it retains details in the shadows and highlights but it takes some work in Lightroom to correct the contrast and mid tones. I’m impressed with what Ive seen from silverfast and I’m curious about negative lab pro.

[@raccoon.443]

god i love your deadpan voice..

[@lukasbusse2793]

you can achieve NLP-conversions without the turquoise blue tones, if you digitize as a RAW DNG, either with Silverfast (a version which allows it) or with Vuescan which can also use infrared dust removal. but for your route via Tiff I highly recommend using the Tiff-Preparation tool which comes with NLP. It will change the tiffs gamma to a value (2.2) from which NLP will work much better.

[@helgebrekke]

Thanks! I went all in and bought the Epson V850Pro some weeks ago, mainly for braggin' rights, but it comes with Silverfast SE 8 included for free (cause the scanner is hella expensive), and I've just been using that so far. I have, though, realised how much difference a few adjustments can do to to the output of the scan. Also, the iSDR (iRDS? iSRD?) for colour negatives is AMAZING at removing all that dust that otherwise would make my life a living hell.

[@helgebrekke]

Also, the thanks was for a break in the monotony of lockdown and the sound of my scanner whirring away at my backlog of negatives.

[@hakkimaziz]

I just subscribed cause you're a funny person!

[@woohoo0237]

the video that i needddddd!!! thank youuu!

[@Strawbsmedia]

the last time i was this early we weren't living through a historical pandemic

[@m93sek]

the last time it was mentioned it wasn't original already

[@bqfilms]

I like the new angle for the commentary, your baby face can be greatly appreciated now.

[@alexmoliname]

This was awesome.

[@coreyhodgson1238]

Negative Lab Pro requires you to do the DNG or Tiff prep before you convert, that may explain the screwy color shift.

[@vikmanphotography7984]

= more effort

[@2thirty9]

Vikman Photography No like it’s a one button click in Lightroom. (Okay two, technically)

[@danieldelira1417]

The TIFF prep is like a gamma correction, definitely helps with contrast and color. Only problem I have with it is the fact that you end up with 3 gigantic files for every one finished photo

[@GregoryVeizades]

Hey Corey, I also use a V750 and Negative Lab Pro and after extensive testing specifically with this scanner, TIF prep rarely improves or worsens the result. Tiff prep is more needed for low gamma value scanners like Nikons. The Epson V700 and V700 series are Gamma 2.2 scanners and will generally only benefit from Tiff Prep in edge cases.

[@coreyhodgson1238]

@@GregoryVeizades Interesting, I knew it corrected to Gamma 2.2 - but did not know that the 700 & 750 were Gamma 2.2 default. Very interesting, thank you Gregory!

[@depotmsa2362]

i love your dark humour

[@garciaomar0203]

What did you use to scan the positives for negative lab pro? Epson or silverfast? I get different results when scanning from either.

[@DozierGraphic]

you're the shit! this and all your other videos incredibly helpful! Thanks!

[@Migi467]

so good

[@donaldhollister8430]

Just glad Baxter made an appearance

[@CornishMotorcycleDiaries]

Personally I liked the 'flatter' Epson Scan colours which after all is what you want from a scan, then you can make it look how you want later in PS. I have the Silverfast SE Plus which came with my V850 and it is a pig of an App to use and always has been. I had it back in the day with a V750 and it really hasn't changed since then, but then again neither has Epson Scan. NLP is probably the most convenient (I hated the turquoise cast BTW) if set up correctly, but I agree that 100 smackers is a lot for a mere plugin.

[@Max-vm3yp]

Best comedian in the film photography community

[@marekkovac7058]

Thanks a lot for comparison, as for the example images you shown, I liked silverfast the most, personal preference I guess. Did you measure the time it takes to scan for epson vs silverfast (with/without ICE) ?

[@AbdullahChakmakchi]

I've noticed the blue tint in negative lab pro. So I ended up copying it as a TIFF and Desaturate the blues. The scans come out fine after that. Taken me awhile to noticed it 😂😂 as I am still learning.

[@ryanc1295]

Quick thing to make your scans even better, head on over to eBay, type in "SCAN TECH ANTI NEWTON RING ANR OPTICAL GLASS" and marvel at the difference an actually flat negative can make when you use the ANR glass vs the regular jacked up Epson holders.

[@GregoryVeizades]

An easier way us you get the Epson V700 35mm holders with the Build in ANR layer. Much much better vs the stock V700 ones and way easier to use. Still not ideal, but neither are flatbeds in general for 35mm.

[@landocreamcheese5126]

awesome

[@jonathanhagerty7174]

Great banter, cleaver angle to separate yourself from other film photography channels.

[@2thirty9]

I’d be interested in your Negative Lab settings and a bit more workflow if you feel like sharing! Do you always keep the basic profile, change them up occasionally, select your film or go with the newer neutral/cool/warm color adjustments? Negative Lab pro has been amazing for me mostly and abysmal sometimes, but I probably need to re-work on my workflow. (Or some of my negs are crap maybe) Also your videos are awesome. That is all.

[@CHGroups]

Çox sağol önəmli məlumatlar üçün! Thank you bro!

[@zachminawi]

bro.... why are you so funny? ahah! Thank you for all your great videos :D

[@ZeptonicScientist]

Great comparison! Sadly i'm too poor to get any of those plugins :D so it will just be epson scan for me.

[@Perryk]

Have you tried VueScan? Using the Nikon Coolscan 9000 and SilverFast, I would get red lines all over the image.

[@newyorkcityvibe]

Hilarious and helpful

[@Adrian-wd4rn]

I like silverfast because it gives you a flat negative to work with right off the rip and I don't have to sit there and twiddle with correcting stupid issues that shouldn't exist in the first place.

[@Magneira]

Awesome video. And man, gotta laugh at those Instagram photographers, that Photoshop moon photo was hilarious, how she got thousand of followers...

[@dogdive]

I found that it took a while to get Vuescan set up correctly to produce the best file to process with NLP. I shoot only bnw pretty much. If you don’t scan as raw with 48bit rgb selected (even bnw) you won’t be able to have NLP profiles available to you in Lightroom. I feel like what I want is the best most information rich file to import into Lightroom and hit it with NLP. A crappy scan and/or a bad negative and no amount of fiddling in Lightroom will fix it. This is where I know I could improve. Tweaking vuescan to produce the best file to send to Lightroom and NLP. Also not mentioned is the enhanced metadata that NLP has available for film photography. The tips from Nate in the first comment are awesome. I never thought of cropping the image to just one part, converting in NLP and then recropping back out to the whole thing.

[@chafrewilcha]

You're good, man!

[@rf8221]

How did you change the turquoise color cast from the NLP?

[@TopshelfJunior]

Seems like Epson really nails the B&W's, but Silverfast is a nice middle ground scan for colors, in my opinion.

[@dannyvalentine8439]

Dude this video made my day.. LOL!