Problem with SA-21 and Coolscan V

Vincent.G

Vincent.G

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Hi guys

My SA-21 spits out my 6 frame negative strips with a error message saying my strip has less than 2 frames or more than 6 frames. The problem persists with colour and b&w film. I tried flipping the negative strip around but it does not help.

I get this problem with Nikonscan 4.0 running on Windows 7 64-bit.

I tried to use Vuescan and the loading problem did not occur. However the scans look extremely terrible. I have attached the straight scan file below. I made a similar scan with the V700 and attached for your reference. The quality is bad as I downsized it.

Anyone can advise?
 

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Vincent.G said:
Hi guys

My SA-21 spits out my 6 frame negative strips with a error message saying my strip has less than 2 frames or more than 6 frames. The problem persists with colour and b&w film. I tried flipping the negative strip around but it does not help.

I get this problem with Nikonscan 4.0 running on Windows 7 64-bit.

I tried to use Vuescan and the loading problem did not occur. However the scans look extremely terrible. I have attached the straight scan file below. I made a similar scan with the V700 and attached for your reference. The quality is bad as I downsized it.

Anyone can advise?
Click to expand...

I've never run Nikonscan (and don't run Windows) so I don't know what's gone wrong with it.

But what you're seeing from VueScan isn't right either. It's likely not configured correctly. I've used VueScan for a long time and it often take a bit of tweaking time to come up with a solid starting point.

Are you sure you have the right version?
How did you set it up to run the scanner?

G
 
Hi Godfrey

I have always runned it on Win 7 with no problems. The strip feeder problem surfaced recently. Very frustrating. I even opened up the SA-21 to clean the interior but it did not help.

I'm using the latest version 9.1.21.

1000dpi in 16-bit gray TIFF format. The film type chosen is Kodak T-MAX 100, TMAX CI=0.55. I played around with different film types but the scans all turned out the same. Might not be Vuescan's fault I think.

I have this feeling that the time is up for my Nikon Coolscan V. Luckily I am very happy with what I get out of my V700.
 
Vincent.G said:
Hi Godfrey

I have always runned it on Win 7 with no problems. The strip feeder problem surfaced recently. Very frustrating. I even opened up the SA-21 to clean the interior but it did not help.

I'm using the latest version 9.1.21.

1000dpi in 16-bit gray TIFF format. The film type chosen is Kodak T-MAX 100, TMAX CI=0.55. I played around with different film types but the scans all turned out the same. Might not be Vuescan's fault I think.

I have this feeling that the time is up for my Nikon Coolscan V. Luckily I am very happy with what I get out of my V700.
Click to expand...

You should call Nikon Service and have it looked at. They still have parts and service for these scanners.

G
 
what kind of results are you getting with the slide mount adaptor ( MA-21 )? Dust and dirt internal to the coolscan V is also a typical problem... I keep mine covered when not in use as we have a lot of dust in the air here...

Casey
 
shimokita said:
what kind of results are you getting with the slide mount adaptor ( MA-21 )? Dust and dirt internal to the coolscan V is also a typical problem... I keep mine covered when not in use as we have a lot of dust in the air here...

Casey
Click to expand...

I did not use the MA-21 before as I do not have mounted slides. Can it take strip film?

Yes, my scanner I always well-taken of and covered when not in use.
 
the MA-21 only takes slides... if you don't have any slides I am sure one of your older photographer friends will... your local lab might have a sample slide laying around that you can "borrow".... or you can make one using a frame ( blanks can be purchase at a camera supply store ) and one image from a strip of b&w negatives...

Note: the slide does not have to be reversal film and I have used this trick to scan some b&w film that broke when rewinding.

The point is to see if the problem is the adaptor or something with the actual scanner... Good luck.

Casey
 
You can get a film strip holder (FH-2 or FH-3) that works with the MA-21 Slide adapter. Holds the strips and you advance manually. It will work in a pinch.
 
shimokita said:
the MA-21 only takes slides... if you don't have any slides I am sure one of your older photographer friends will... your local lab might have a sample slide laying around that you can "borrow".... or you can make one using a frame ( blanks can be purchase at a camera supply store ) and one image from a strip of b&w negatives...

Note: the slide does not have to be reversal film and I have used this trick to scan some b&w film that broke when rewinding.

The point is to see if the problem is the adaptor or something with the actual scanner... Good luck.

Casey
Click to expand...

Hi Casey

Thanks for the tips! I will give it a try.
 
lewis44 said:
You can get a film strip holder (FH-2 or FH-3) that works with the MA-21 Slide adapter. Holds the strips and you advance manually. It will work in a pinch.
Click to expand...

This is a viable option but I would probably need to isolate the problem first. I have this feeling the scanner light source is busted.
 
Beside any technical issues with the scanner, are you sure the Nikon scanner is supported in the 64bit Win7 that you run ? If not there should be no scan at all but there are chances that also this needs to be checked. I have not scanned any negatives with my Coolscan V since switching to Win7 but I still have my old WinXP running machine.
 
I described the problem over the phone to the Nikon technician and he thinks the lamp is faulty and the SA-21 needs to be checked. He estimated the servicing + repair to be at least USD300-400 (labour fee + parts + tax) subject to parts availability. I think the repair is too expensive.

I got the scanner for free from my friend who stopped shooting film and migrated. Probably I will retire it for good.

Re: Win 7 64 bit OS. I cannot reinstall Nikonscan software anymore. Vuescan can run but the scans were bad. You can see the results at the start of the thread. I have attached a straight scan from epson v700 using epson film holders and epson software.
 
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