Nikon Coolscan V ED: RIP?

OurManInTangier

An Undesirable
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I went to start some scanning this morning and it looks like my trusty Nikon V ED may have given up the ghost. No power input whatsoever.

Just thought I'd put it 'out there' in case there's anyone who may know this to be a regular fault or if it may just require a service.

Anyone know of any places that can repair/service scanners, preferably in the UK as shipping may simply mean buy a new scanner.

Thanks
 
I'm not sure about the situation elsewhere, but in Japan I'm pretty sure Nikon still services and repairs the final generation of Coolscan scanners (V, 5000, 9000). They'll service older scanners too, but no longer have parts for them.
 
Last I heard they are still repairing scanners in Europe - there are some discussions backwards and forwards on this topic on the forum. Probably on a case-by-case basis rather than a general rule. Simple enough to contact Nikon near to wherever you are, and see what they have to say. Also there are repair shops (some of them on ebay) who claim to be able to fix some failures (such as defective power supply problems).

PS: don't take 'the internetz' word for anything - people love to spread doom and gloom.

PPS: just noticed you're in the UK. You could always also contact Ffordes - they often sell used Nikon scanners and may know where/how/if they can be serviced
 
it's an electric apparatus, it is not a 3-steps rocket. It should be repairable.
:)
What does "no power input whatsoever" mean? It doesnt power up? That's the better scenario since then it must have an electrical problem i.e. a problem with some standard component - cable, switch, or power supply unit.
 
My V ED is at nikon UK right now for the same exact reason. £180 repair estimate if I'm not mistaken.
 
Thank God for practical, knowledgeable people. I find toasters to be mind boggling in their complexity.

I'm hoping its just the power supply. As I mentioned, it was scanning perfectly last night without issue. I just daren't take it apart as my track record with such things is poor. Very poor.

I've contacted a Nikon recommended service guy I've used before who gives free quotes and hopefully we'll have it back up and running soon.
 
My V ED is at nikon UK right now for the same exact reason. £180 repair estimate if I'm not mistaken.


Cheaper than the approx £450 being asked for second hand examples I've seen recently, having paid nearly as much on film and chemicals recently I'll happily pay that just so that I can scan them again:)
 
Do these scanners have a fuse on the power-supply? ...

... I only ask after an embarrassing visit to an engineer with an amplifier that had a little fuse on the power supply board that was explained in the user manual

PS ... BTW I got the engineer's details from the staff at a local Tandy store ... they were most helpful
 
My first thought was : remove the hood and check the fuse...

Also : the mechanical '0/I' power button is a weak point too, so on any apparatus like this one I always leave it on 'I' then just plug and unplug the power socket to switch the thing on and off...
 
I was away for a while and hadn't realised I'd left the power switched on. The fuse in the plug was blown so any internal fuse may also have blown I suppose.

I've heard back from a service engineer and there are still parts available so I'll take it in for him to hsve a look at.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed thst its a simple and therefore (read hopefully) cheap solution.

Thanks for your advice, I'll update the thread when I have more info.
 
Just an update for anyone who was reading this thread or anyone in the future searching for Nikon Coolscan V ED threads.

I heard back from the engineer today. It seems it was an issue with the power supply mechanism and the specific part that has 'gone' has now truly gone, in as much as Nikon have no more spare parts available (in relation to my issue) and are running very short of many parts for this particular scanner.

I now have a choice to make, buy another second hand Coolscan V ED and have the repair guys take what they can to make one (hopefully) decent scanner or simply to save up and buy a new scanner with a decent future ahead of it. I think the sensible option is to save up.

Good luck to those who still have one in working order, I hope they keep going for you - mine served me very well for pretty much ten years.
 
Bad news.

You may want to look for a 4000. The scans will be the same, and it seems that the 4000 hold slightly better with time than the V.
 
Wow... I'm sorry for your trouble Simon.

I'm lucky that I mine was lo use and also overhauled by Nikon before I bought it in 2012.
They cleaned it replaced the bulb and surprisingly the power supply.
The surpise was it was not physically acting up according to the previous owner.
Maybe Nikon tech saw a bad feedback or something.

I bought a cheap Pakon scanner to do my bulk scans and only scan the keepers with the Nikon. Hoping to keep it going for a long time.

Now a power supply is not a particluarly fancy thing. I wonder if a electronics wiz kid could build you one. Even if it ends up needing to be an outboard unit with a modification to your scanner.
It may well be worth checking into. Can you get a specific diagnosis from Nikon in order to inquire with another party as to making you a work around? (technical diagnosis)

Best!
 
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