<p>Considering the workflow question, I'd like to add that SilverFast Archive Suite allows for a workflow that is lossless and offers the complete information of the scanner until the very moment of processing without changing your RAW format "digital originals" so that you can stick to one solution instead of taking your pictures through a lot of different programs.</p>
<p>I wouldn't reduce bit depth to 8bit until being sure that the images stay the way they are. Reducing bit depth to 8bit will make a noticeable difference if you intend to treat your images at a later point.</p>
<p>Concerning the clean up, I'd recommend to try if the infrared-based detection works with your Kodachrome slides on very low detection level. There is also a software-based dust and scratch removal called SRDx and a Clone-Tool (in HDR Studio) which I'd use to get rid of larger defects that can't be corrected by the other two.</p>
<p>Please feel free to contact us, if you have any questions that are SilverFast related.</p>
<p>Alexander Sievers-Horn<br>
LaserSoft Imaging Support Team.</p>
<p> </p>
