Coolscan IV noisy, normal?

[joachim]

Hi,

this forum seems to be one of the last bastions of film users, so I decided to post my question at rff:

It seems my Nikon coolscan IV (LS50) turned noisy recently when scanning. Sounds like plastic gears grinding during scan. This sound is not there when the scan heads are moved quickly, only when it is slowly stepping during scan. Is this:

• something to worry about?
• common, they all do after some time?
• rare?

I use it for about four years, but it hasn't seen excessive use. I would think a few thousand scans (< 5000). Anyone an idea about design live time of the mechanics, taking into account this is their bottom of the range unit?

 

[visiondr]

Joachim,

My Coolscan IV makes exactly the same sound. I bought it used and it's always done this. It's not pretty, that's for sure.

 

[kaiyen]

Well, anytime something starts making a _new_ noise when you have not changed your workflow is not a _good_ sign. But my IV isn't exactly quiet, and sounds like what you describe.

Did you switch software recently?

allan

 

[joachim]

Response from Nikon

Response from Nikon

Hi,

after asking here, I also asked this question directly to Nikon (customer service website) and received the below response:

"If the scanner still works properly, and the quality of the images has not been affected than you should be ok for the for seeable future. However, if you are concerned, you can send the scanner into our service centre and the an take a look at it. ..."

​

So, together with the replies I recieved here -thank you very much for the replies- I take it, this is a normal sign of the thing wearing in and nothing to worry. So far I did not notice any things of image degradation.

 

[kully]

It's a very loud scanner Joachim - I can hear it downstairs when its working in spare room upstairs.

 

[Bike Tourist]

I don't know about the IV but my V makes all sorts of noises. It's very creative and almost never repeats. The software is equally inventive, crashing and locking up at unpredictable intervals.

I wouldn't worry if you're happy with the scans.

 

[kully]

Whoops, I have the V too - and I get the same "experiences" as Dick

 

[Terao]

Same here with the Super Coolscan 4000ED. Sounds like a cemet mixer full of gravel, or someone shaking a tray of (unused!) kitty litter!
It has always done it, and whenever I lend it to people the first thing they ask is "Is it supposed to make that horrible noise?"

 

[rich815]

My LS-4000 is not exactly quiet (and I remember my friend's IV sounding about the same), but I would not describe it as particularly loud to be heard multiple rooms away or as "plastic gears grinding" or "a cement mixer full of gravel"!!

If it makes you cringe or has suddenly changed sound significantly from what it had been it cannot be right. I'd send it in for a check. That, plus a good cleaning a calibration would not be a bad thing just to be sure.

 

[alansoon]

Absolutely right. It's a terribly noisy beast. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Bosk]

Mine is also very noisy.

Funnily enough the tone of the noises it produces differs depending on which program I use to scan - Viewscan or Nikon Scan.



EDIT: When I first saw the title of your post I thought you meant Noisy as in grain rather than sound - my negatives always seem to look far grainer when scanned than printed.

 

[Edward Felcher]

I've opened mine and it had a lot of flimsy nylon gears on sort of loose, wobbly spindles. The APS adapter and film strip adapter is even worse.

The thing grinds away and makes a lot of noise, but seems to keep functioning. Can't be helped.