Scan Issue - Vuescan and Nikon Coolscan V

[jmoto]

Hi,

I recently picked up a Nikon Coolscan V ED to scan some 35mm black and white and colour film. I have a Mac and El Capitan so downloaded Vuescan to get the scanner working.

I am noticing a strange line at the top and bottom of the frames, almost like a underexposed area of the frame. This is happening in colour and black and white and on every scan.

Anyone know what this could be?

 

[philipus]

Is it also on the negatives? I would be surprised if this is from the scanner.
br
Philip

 

[Ronald M]

It is on the neg and the cause is bad light shields around the shutter.

One remote possibility is reflections from scanner film holder.

Put the film in upside down and rescan. If shadow moves it is scanner. If not, it is a camera defect.

 

[rogue_designer]

Are you using the strip feeder? or some other holder?

 

[jmoto]

Thanks so much for the replies.

I have ruled out it being on the negatives because it happens on negatives from various cameras (Canon AE1, Leica M4, Leica M6 and a Leica MP) taken over the last decade and even some negatives that my grandfather had from a different camera.

I am using the negative strip scanner SA-21.

Maybe something to do with the strip scanner or something inside the scanner then?

 

[jmoto]

Here are two more examples.

This photo was taken over twenty years ago by my grandfather.

This photo here was taken by me last week with a different camera. It is a terribly exposed image, but you can see the lines here.

 

[brbo]

There was a similar thread here recently. It was all explained there.

Too bad OP obviously deleted the thread once he got the answer. Really a shame that RFF allows for this... Soon people stop bothering to write the same stuff over and over again.

 

[mani]

There was a similar thread here recently. It was all explained there.

Too bad OP obviously deleted the thread once he got the answer. Really a shame that RFF allows for this... Soon people stop bothering to write the same stuff over and over again.

Agree with this 1000% (not a typo). I also remembered this problem was diagnosed here before but can't find the thread.

I simply fail to understand why the forum allows members to edit and delete posts at any time (or whole threads if they're the OP).

I even find members sneak back into an old thread and change their posts to make their responses 'win' arguments over later posts! It makes a total mockery of discussions.

Anyway - if anyone knows what happens in these images - please re-post the diagnosis. The forum should be a reference store of information.

 

[brbo]

It's a scanner issue. Internal reflections/light bleed.

 

[robert blu]

I had a similar problem with 5000 ED but on the shorter side of the negative, see this thread with photo attached. It' s something related to the scanner and the film IMO because happens both with Vuescan and Nikon Scan (I kept an hold mac to use it).

What I noticed it happens with certain films but not all film. I tried alternatively to change film and with some it happens just a few minutes later with other not (not sure now with which film it happens , one is the Delta 100/400 which I like very much 🙁).

One more note, even with the film where I have the problems (as mentioned Delta) it does not happen with all the film! No idea why, I guess something related to the thickness or curling of film which lets light enter, just a supposition.

I also tried the single frame film holder (which by the way I found very difficult to use) with no improvement.

Unfortunately Nikon doesn't serve anymore the scanners where I live.

robert

PS: one day I'll buy a digital camera...at least to scan films...

 

[rybolt]

I agree that it's in the scanner itself. The film is in the holder with the 36mm length going in. The dark areas are on both long edges. This would rule out inconsistent scan speed as the problem. It would seem to me more likely to be something out of alignment internally with the light source or possibly a failing tube that is weaker at both ends. I've seen this happen in hot light tubes but never seen it on a scanner tube.
Just my guess.

 

[quejai]

Darker area on the edges of the negative means more light hitting the edges... perhaps there are light leaks inside the scanner? I would have a close look at what might cause light leaks onto the film from the scanner's light source, or even from the ambient lighting in your room. Try a few scans with your room lights off, perhaps.

 

[BLKRCAT]

I think the thread in question might be here:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154498

 

[rogue_designer]

It could be CCD bleed, or reflections in the light facing side of the strip feeder... or a whole host of other possible issues.

I would start with investigating the strip feeder and check for any obvious shiny areas along the long edges.

 

[arseniii]

I would recommend cleaning the scanner mirror!
I never had an issue simmilar to this one but had a lot of strange artifacts on my scans from the dust on the mirror. V is pretty easy to take apart, you will need a lot of alcohol (no for drinking), QTips and a Dust blower.
Google may help you with finding the cleaning instructions!

 

[meloV8]

Try Calibrate In Nikon Scan Extras menu. Also try demo of Silverfast.

 

[gnome chompski]

i had some issues like this with my new PrimeFilm XE scanner. Pretty sure it was reflections from the neg holder. Pacific Imaging tech support was not much help butt they sent me a new negative holder. It still didnt allow for full frame scanning, but the edges were less reflective. Its annoying, but I just crop it out.

 

[jmoto]

Fixed?

Fixed?

Strangest thing. I took the scanner back to the guy who I bought it from and we tested it a lab here close to him. Scanner seems to be working fine now. I could not replicate the problem with him when it was happening on every scan at home. I took the scanner back home and tested it further and it seems to be working fine rescanned a whole bunch of negatives and can't get the problem to occur again.

Not sure what this was but it really looked to be hardware related to me.

Anyway, thanks everyone for your help and input.

 

[robert blu]

Nice to know it works fine now
robert

 

[rogue_designer]

Maybe something got knocked back into alignment in transport. Glad it's working!