SilverFast ExpressScan: Turbocharging Your Flatbed Scanner

By Herman Groeneveld

A scanner can never be fast enough. The less time it takes to capture a single image, the faster large quantities of analog image material can be transferred into the digital world.

When purchasing a scanner, operating speed, in addition to the resolution and the density range, are main criteria. But imagine being able to help even older flatbed scanners to set speed records! LaserSoft Imaging can now provide an almost unbelievable ‘turboboost’ — without having to disassemble and tune the hardware of the flatbed scanner. Instead, the power comes from the two hearts of the software: the proven and widely used SilverFast digitization software, here in the version of the premium archiving solution Archive Suite, plus the new SilverFast ExpressScan feature.

Batch Scan Allows Multiple Originals to be Digitized in a Single Step

When digitizing a slide archive, the large scanning surface of flatbed scanners allow many originals to be placed on the scanner glass at once. Manufacturers generally supply holders for slides and film strips (transparency originals) of various sizes for 35mm and medium format with their scanners, or these can be ordered as accessories. Transparency masters are placed directly on the scanner glass.

To achieve the highest possible scanning speed, SilverFast scanning software now offers a Batch Scan feature: the capture of several documents, depending on the flatbed scanner type, in high quality in just one operation. Until now, the programs available on the market have processed the scanning of all documents in the scanning area serially, i.e. image by image, which takes much longer.

How SilverFast ExpressScan Saves Time

Starting with version SilverFast Ai Studio 9.1 Archive Suite onwards, pressing the Batch Scan button starts the intelligent SilverFast ExpressScan, patented by LaserSoft Imaging. The number of time-consuming scan passes is reduced by scanning adjacent images in one pass. This is done without compromising the highest quality in all data formats offered by SilverFast:

• With HDR RAW for high-resolution raw data for further processing in SilverFast HDR
• Without HDR RAW, to obtain finished images already optimized by SilverFast

SilverFast ExpressScan works with both transparent and non-transparent originals. The software automatically recognizes all images in a film holder or on a scanner glass and adjusts the scanning process accordingly.

Having tested the new function with the Epson Perfection 850 Pro flatbed scanner, LaserSoft Imaging had results up to 75% less time needed for the same image quality.

Karl-Heinz Zahorsky, CEO of LaserSoft Imaging AG, calculates, “If you scan 1000 slides, you can save around 18 working hours with ExpressScan,” an amazing improvement of the scanning workflow for users of older flatbed scanners. “This groundbreaking innovation will be useful to both private users and institutions such as archives and museums.”

Batch scanning in itself is nothing new; it is used by competitors such as VueScan. However, with its patented SilverFast ExpressScan solution, LaserSoft Imaging is entering the market with a unique and significant advantage in working speed over other third-party software.
The SilvergrainClassics editorial team will carry out extensive tests with the SilverFast Archive Suite and the Epson Perfection 850 Pro flatbed scanner. We will report on the results in a future blog here on the site.

Limited Time Price Reductions

LaserSoft Imaging is offering substantial discounts on software solutions for the digitization of reflected and transmitted light originals for a limited time. The promotion is via the online store and ends on Thursday, November 30, 2023.

• 20% discount on SilverFast software (new purchase and upgrade)
• 20% discount for the SRDx Photoshop plug-in for automatic dust and scratch removal
• up to 40% discount on scanner calibration targets
• 20% discount on targets for measuring the optimum scanner resolution
• 5% discount on scanner and software packages

Digitizing and Archiving Negatives and Slides

If you want to delve deeper into the subject, we recommend the individual coaching program Scanning and Archiving Negatives and Slides correctly from the Silvergrain Academy. The workshop will take place 17.-18.02.2024 at the SilvergrainStudioLab, Bahnhofsallee 5, in 61231 Bad Nauheim. The company LaserSoft Imaging will be a partner, as will scanner manufacturer Plustek Technology GmbH and the Kaiser Fototechnik GmbH & Co KG.

In this two-day workshop, participants will systematically go through the basics of digitizing with classic flatbed and film scanners, as well as with a digital camera. A wide range of equipment and software from our partners will be available for ‘hands on’ use. And some general myths about the subject that have recently gained traction will be addressed.
The ticket costs €350; early bird discounted tickets are €299.