CoolScan 5000 : SA-21 to SA-30 conversion!

[angeloks]

Ok, I've been using my CoolScan for about 2 years now. I've always been tempted by the SA-30 (the one that allow you to scan an entire roll at once), but the price is way too high...

Then I found that with a little soldering, you could convert your SA-21 to a SA-30 (here). But who wants to disassemble their scanner? After some research, I found this link (here). With a simply wire, you can jump 2 pins in the blue connector! It works flawlessly. It's a charm to scan the whole roll at once!

Sorry if this has already been discussed/posted.

 

[JPSuisse]

Hi Angeloks

I saw those instructions too and thought a long time about making the modification.

When they announced that the Nikon 5000 would be discontinued, I decided not to modify mine and to just by the roll adapter. It works great!

I think you should make up your mind quickly, because soon the roll adapters won't be available anymore. Then you may have to modify the device!

Cheers,

JP

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

That's my website, glad you found the link! I found this technique somewhere else online, can't recall where, but it works perfectly. It's been about a year and I've had no problems, and have scanned around 75 rolls that way.

 

[ferider]

The roll adapter also comes with a large canister catching the film, keeping it dust free over night or so.

Roland.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

I'm imagining some homebrew solutions to feed and catch the film.

-2x five foot pvc pipes at each end?

-Hamster wheel with microfiber cloth padding?

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I just dangle it over the two sides of my table, with a soft cotton cloth draped over each edge.

 

[perudo]

hello,
I found a 4000 ed for cheap last week and I
just hacked my scanner 😀
This is so easy to do, and a dream come true !!!

I was seriously thinking about buying a digital camera at last, because developing and scanning takes so much time and I was too busy for the last months to concentrate on this....

 

[kanzlr]

scanning a full roll with a modified 4000 is so quick and easy. If you use a digital camera and want good results, you have to post process them too, so it is not that much of an adavantage time wise.

 

[mfunnell]

-Hamster wheel with microfiber cloth padding?

With hamster or without? Either way, I want one of those.

...Mike

 

[maddoc]

Just keep in mind that the SA-21 has a less rugged drive to transport the film through the feeder. I did the same conversion for a quick test with my Coolscan 4000ED / SA-21 (works well) but soon bought the SA-30 for the purpose of scanning complete rolls of 135-36.