Nikon Coolscan V wavy lines

[EdwardKaraa]

Hello all!

I recently purchased a Nikon coolscan V. It's working perfectly and the scans are amazingly sharp. However I'm just starting to notice that lines that are supposed to be straight are coming out slightly but visibly wavy. Any idea what could be causing this? Maybe the mirror needs cleaning?

Your kind help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Edward

 

[EdwardKaraa]

Here are two photos that show the wavy lines.

Please notice the vertical door lines in the first shot and the horizontal lines of the building on the left in the second shot.

M7-030-05-NS by edward karaa, on Flickr

M7-032-03-NS by edward karaa, on Flickr

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

What does the film look like?

Dirty mirror won't cause this. That would cause loss of contrast and sharpness.

 

[johannielscom]

In both shots the 'shaking' is in the same direction (vertical in the vertical shot, horizontal in the horizontal shot). Movement in the scanner might be less than fluid. It makes me think of a scanner I had (flatbed) that did this too. The scanning unit moved along two rods that needed a clean and lube, after that it never occurred again.

Being unfamiliar with the Coolscan V, does it move the frame in the frame holder or does it move the scanning unit? Either a stiff mechanism or a stiff drive belt is causing this imho

 

[EdwardKaraa]

What does the film look like?

Dirty mirror won't cause this. That would cause loss of contrast and sharpness.

Thank you Chris for your reply. The negatives are ok as checked with a 10x loupe.

 

[EdwardKaraa]

In both shots the 'shaking' is in the same direction (vertical in the vertical shot, horizontal in the horizontal shot). Movement in the scanner might be less than fluid. It makes me think of a scanner I had (flatbed) that did this too. The scanning unit moved along two rods that needed a clean and lube, after that it never occurred again.

Being unfamiliar with the Coolscan V, does it move the frame in the frame holder or does it move the scanning unit? Either a stiff mechanism or a stiff drive belt is causing this imho

Thank you Johan! The scanning unit moves not the film. Your explanation makes sense. So the scanner needs to be serviced 🙁

 

[PRJ]

Nikon 35mm scanners have two rods the capture device rides on. You could have a problem there with a lack of lube, or it could be the stepper mechanism. If it happens across the whole neg at regular intervals, I would guess you have a transport problem. Perhaps a gear tooth is worn.

 

[EdwardKaraa]

Nikon 35mm scanners have two rods the capture device rides on. You could have a problem there with a lack of lube, or it could be the stepper mechanism. If it happens across the whole neg at regular intervals, I would guess you have a transport problem. Perhaps a gear tooth is worn.

Thank you PRJ for your reply. Indeed that sounds like the most logical explanation.