New Computer, scan quality gone.

[Andy K]

I have recently ditched PC in favour of Mac.

My problem is all my scans now show lines. Also the editing program I was using (Photoimpression 5, free with my Epson 2480) functions completely differently on the Mac. For example, when resizing scans to post on APUG I would start with a scan 3500 pixels on the long side. This I would then resize in 200 pixel steps with a 5% sharpen in each step, until I reached a scan size 800 pixels on the long side. This would give me a good quality final image for upload.

Now I'm using the Mac I get appalling scans with lines. The sharpen function now completely over sharpens the image. Things are so bad I have not scanned a new print for two months.

Any hints appreciated!

Thanks,

Andy.

[jd callow]

Andy post an offending scan so we can see it. Do you get the lines on the scans or after the sharpening? Are the lines on the horizontal or virtical axis (prior to any rotation) and are they always there?

[livemoa]

Andy, have you tried using the Epson software (assuming that the scanner came with Epson software) or checked for updates? There may be problems with the software you are using and the Mac OS.

Then again, I might be talking thru a hole in my head.

[Andy K]

John, here is a negative scan, scanned at 2400 dpi and resized to 800 on the long side, no sharpening or anything else done. Notice the extremely poor quality with horizontal lines in the sky and coloured bands in shadow areas. This was scanned in greyscale. And here is a scan made with the same scanner and software with my old PC.

Livemoa. I am using the Epson Smart Panel software to make scans, and the supplied PhotoImpression 5 software for editing.


Something else I have noticed, the Epson software will not run unless the Epson CD is in the drive.

[livemoa]

hmmmm

ok, try this http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Epson_Scanners/ a news group or whatever for epson scanners. there may be help there.

and by the way, nice Citroen, had a '63 ID 19 for a few years. loved, and hated, that car

[L Gebhardt]

Are the lines in the full size scan? Have you tried using a single step resize? Also have you tried using the iPhoto software just to see if it is the scanner or the software (only if it happens during the resize)? If it is in the full size scan my guess is either the scanner driver, connection to the computer, or just a coincidence with your move to the Mac.

[Andy K]

Here is the unresized, unsharpened file. As you can see there are still lines but not as obvious as in the resized file.

[L Gebhardt]

Looks like your resize operation is just amplifying the lines. Do you have the old PC available to do a test scan with? If so that would be my next step.

[Andy K]

Looks like your resize operation is just amplifying the lines. Do you have the old PC available to do a test scan with? If so that would be my next step.

Unfortunately I don't. It suffered one too many Blue Screen Of Death. It sits behind the sofa awaiting repair.


@ Livemoa, that was my Uncle's DS and then my Father's. The man in the picture is/was my favourite Uncle, sadly he passed away after a long illness two years ago (the kid is yours truly :o ).
That neg was shot by my Father around 1964/5, I enlarged it last year as a memory of my Uncle.

[bdial]

Most likely a driver problem. How much memory on the Mac, and PC?
If this is an Intel mac, the driver may not be compatible, check on Epson's site for updates.