Microtek ArtixScan M1 Auto Focus Tips

Auto Focus Tips for the Microtek ArtixScan M1 and ArtixScan M1 Pro

The auto-focus technology in the Microtek ArtixScan M1 and ArtixScan M1 Pro is totally new for a flatbed scanner. At the start of the auto-focus process, mechanical adjustments are made to the optical system which result in a series of scans at different focal positions. The scans are automatically analyzed to determine the sharpest focus, and then the final scan is made at that focal position. This auto-focus feature is more precise and much faster than any manual focusing option for a flatbed scanner. The new auto-focus technology is another reason why the Microtek ArtixScan M1 and Microtek ArtixScan M1 Pro excel at film scanning.

There are three options for auto focus: 1) auto focus off, 2) auto focus on, center position, and 3) auto focus on, manual position.

Definitions for SilverFast implementation

auto focus off: The auto-focus feature is turned off.
auto focus on, center position: The auto-focus feature is turned on and the analysis is applied to an area around the center of the frame.
auto focus on, manual position: The auto-focus feature is turned on and the analysis is applied to an area around a point selected by the user.

Definitions for ScanWizard Pro implementation

auto focus off: The auto-focus feature is turned off.
auto focus on, center position: The auto-focus feature is turned on and the analysis is applied to the entire frame.
auto focus on, manual position: The auto-focus feature is turned on and the analysis is applied to an area in the frame selected by the user.

Tip for selecting manual position
The auto-focus technology is looking for sharp edges with high contrast. When the best focus is reached, the contrast of the edge will be at the highest level for adjacent pixels. An out-of-focus edge will have a blurred transition from the dark side of the edge to the light side of the edge with lower contrast from pixel to pixel across the blurred edge. To achieve the best results, manually select a point or area in the scan frame that contains relatively high contrast fine detail and is in sharp focus in the image. Do not select a broad area of relatively uniform color such as a cloudless sky.

Tip for ScanWizard Pro users
To reduce the auto focus time, select a small area within the scan frame that has sharp, high-contrast detail.