My scan preview brightness is correct but the final scan saved image is very dark. What is causing this?
If your final scan looks very dark when viewing in any third-party image editor, this is most likely attributed to the raw scan feature in SilverFast.
Why is my final scan dark?
When using the HDRi RAW mode, the software captures the maximum amount of data coming from the scanner, including the full dynamic range, and saves it as raw data. This might make the final saved image appear darker than the preview, because none of the image optimising filters in SilverFast are applied to the the final image - hence the term raw scan.
This is rather a feature than a bug 👨🎓!
Solution for SilverFast HDR Studio Owners:
You can use SilverFast HDR (Studio) to process the HDRi RAW files. This software allows you to make non-destructive edits to your scans, ensuring you always have the best quality base data.
Alternative Solution without SilverFast HDR-Studio:
If you don't own SilverFast HDR Studio switch the Scan Mode:
Change from HDRi raw setting to a non-HDRi raw setting.
Adjust Color Depth:
If you plan to edit your images post-scan, select a 48-bit color depth (16 bits per color channel). This ensures you have access to the full range of color gradations.
24-bit depth is the most common for digital images that won't undergo further editing.
By following these steps, your final scan should closely resemble the preview in terms of brightness and other visual parameters.
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