ScanMate drum scanner DIY maintenance, troubleshooting, mods

[calebarchie]

I am still looking for one of these units can someone point me in the right direct via pm?


bests

 

[Kamph]

I just bought a Scanmate 5000. It still sits in its shipping box. The seller believes that he has the cables for it and Color Quartet (on floppy disks no less), although he has never used it and knows nothing about it (he got it in a lot with many different items). Assuming the cables are not the right ones, what will I need to get this fine scanner up and running - hopefully on Windows 7?
Very excited about this! I have been looking for a drum scanner for ages!

I will be comparing it to my Plustek 120 for those interested by the way.

 

[calebarchie]

grats on obtaining the scanner though you may have benefited from a little more research - you may find yourself disappointed.

Scanner is interfaced via SCSI
User guide and Field service manuals would be handy
Latest software available online via ABC Scan/this thread
SW Dongle (legally)

 

[Kamph]

Thank you! In which way might I find myself disappointed?
I'm fully aware that the scanner has a SCSI interface, and the fact that such an interface can be a real hassle. Perhaps I should have been more specific. What adapter will I need in order to run this scanner on Win 7? I seem to recall that someone in here managed to do just that. Will I need to buy a dongle, or is there a workaround? I would like to avoid ColorTrio if possible, as it is my understandning that it will only scan in 8 bit?

 

[calebarchie]

Thank you! In which way might I find myself disappointed?
I'm fully aware that the scanner has a SCSI interface, and the fact that such an interface can be a real hassle. Perhaps I should have been more specific. What adapter will I need in order to run this scanner on Win 7? I seem to recall that someone in here managed to do just that. Will I need to buy a dongle, or is there a workaround? I would like to avoid ColorTrio if possible, as it is my understandning that it will only scan in 8 bit?

The amount of work drum scanning requires, not to just get up and running, but if you think your up for it go for it.

For SCSI you need a SCSI card in you computer. If you have a compatible laptop you can use SCSI PC card slots, I am not aware of any adapters but one way serial cables generally do not work. There is the fabled Adaptec if you can find one and afford it or SCSI > FireWire, there are also networking solutions for data transfer.
Operating systems are software side, I do not have my scanner yet but I would be trying compatibility modes with the software, not hard stuff to figure out. I got my coolscan working in win7 64bit without doing any research apart from a firmware flash.

There is a work around for no dongle, obviously not legal so I won't be posting here. PM me otherwise its not hard to find.

 

[Kamph]

I was actually thinking of an Adaptec. That seems like the way most people go about it anyways.
I'll see if I can get the software up and running through compatibility mode, thank you.

I hope the dongle is included - if not I might just send a PM your way. As a student I have somewhat limited means, but that hardly counts for anything but an extenuating circumstance 😉

 

[Netsoft2k]

In my opinion, these scanners are worth every headache you can think of and I have certainly had my share of it. That said, unless there was some form of abuse to the scanner, my guess would be that the scanner is OK. They all require some calibration when you 1st start the machine after a long time. This can vary from simply replacing bulbs and cleaning bulb contacts to more complicated things like adjusting light tube. Hopefully, the scanner will calibrate white and focus so you don't have to touch the PMT adjustments. There are many of us here who have done all of this so you do have a good resource to help you if you run into specific issues.

Regarding SCSI card, take a look at this link (http://www.colorperfect.com/Vuescan...A-2940-etc/driver-for-64-Bit-Windows-7-and-8/) and pick a card that has the correct mount and is compatible from the list of the site. This will allow you to use your scanner on Windows 7,8, and even 10 64BIT. Once you have the card installed, you will need to run the software in WinXP compatibility and with administrator rights. This has to be done for all applications (CQ and CQScan for Color Quartet) and same goes for Color Trio if you use it.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Kamph]

Thank you, Netsoft2k. That's really comforting!
Perhaps I'm wierd but I'm sort of looking forward to the challenge. In a way the process reminds me of the dark room.
Will I need to access the Scanmate monitor program in order to calibrate white and focus?
I really need to get my hands on a manual. I have found one for the SM11000, but I'm not sure if the 5000 and 11000 are operated the same way?

 

[docf]

Hello
I have some troubles with my new old ScanView 11000
I bought mine with an powermac G4 running os 9.2 unfortunately the owner lost the dongle for the ColorQuartet.
I read here that i can run the software with some hack on page 3 as a "run as date app"
Can anybody give me a hint to do this.
I would love to bring up this scanner back to live with CQ.
Best regards.

 

[Netsoft2k]

Kamph, the manual you want is for the software that you'll use for controlling the scanner. I think most people use Color Quartet (I use this) and it's manual can be found on the ABC-Scan's website. See this link: http://www.abc-scan.dk/International/Downloads/download.htm BTW, you are not weird at all for looking forward to the challenge 🙂

Docf, that option you are referring to is for Windows systems. I am not sure if they made Color Trio (free version) for Mac that you can try to get a copy of.

 

[Kamph]

Cheers, Netsoft2k! Will I need to source a mounting station in order to wet mount? They seem rather hard to come by. You would think it would be easier to find anything related to Scanview in Denmark, however, that isen't the case at all!

 

[docf]

Hello There,
i have two questions.

I successfully installed Color Trio on my G4 PowerMac to get my 11000 to work. Thank´s to the downloads from jzagaja on these blog.
I scan my negatives to raw 16bit and then convert them to positives with ColorNeg.
Have anyone experience with ColorQuartet?
Do you think i would get better results if i do the conversion with CQ?

Second question is, the door lid of the scanner don´t move up automatically. I can hear the motor but nothing moves. I have to open it manually.
Are there any repair manuals or something like this available.
How does the mechanism work.

Thanks in advance

 

[calebarchie]

Cheers, Netsoft2k! Will I need to source a mounting station in order to wet mount? They seem rather hard to come by. You would think it would be easier to find anything related to Scanview in Denmark, however, that isen't the case at all!

You don't even have to wet mount nor do you need a station but it certainly makes things easier. IIRC there one is one for sale floating around the web from europe - search and you shall find.

Hello There,


Second question is, the door lid of the scanner don´t move up automatically. I can hear the motor but nothing moves. I have to open it manually.
Are there any repair manuals or something like this available.
How does the mechanism work.

Thanks in advance

The motor is probably kaput and you will need to replace it. 'Cover assembly operated by a Dunker 12 V DC motor with a rated out-
put of 5.7W'. You will need to find a suitable replacement.

These may be the "Dunker" motors. But any similarly specced one should be adequate, important thing is that it fits, diameter, mounting holes and shaft size so measure up your motor.
http://www.dunkermotor.com/default.asp?id=10&lang=2
http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/dc-motors/2532515/

Field Manual:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByP8kkW_h00uelkzclNEWGNNUDQ/

Instructions you want start on pg 4-15b.
I am continually perplexed by people who fail to do their homework before jumping into stuff, just something I have noticed a lot recently.

 

[Kamph]

You don't even have to wet mount nor do you need a station but it certainly makes things easier. IIRC there one is one for sale floating around the web from europe - search and you shall find.

I know that it's possible to dry mount, however, it was my impression that it's rather inconvenient because you'll have to use anti-newton spray, which might introduce problems on its own - or so I'm told. I would also rather use a method that is known to produce the best result right off the bat, that is, wet-mounting.

In regard to you being "perplexed by people who fail to do their homework before jumping into stuff" - I'm not sure if that was aimed at me, however, I must admit I took offense anyway. Besides not really contributing to the thread in any constructive manner, the statement is false in itself. I did extensive research before deciding to buy a drum scanner, the decision wasen't made over night. The scanner model, however, was bought on impulse due to a too good to be true bargain. Not a whole lot of information exists about the SM5000 on the internet anyway, and the information that due exist about drum scanners in general tend to be ambiguous at best (at least at the forums I've visited), especially when you don't know who to trust. I thus decided to seek my answers here instead as it's obvious that the people here actually know what they are talking about. With all due respect, point me in the direction of a good source of information and I'll be more than happy to read up on it. I appreciate any help I can get.

 

[calebarchie]

I know that it's possible to dry mount, however, it was my impression that it's rather inconvenient because you'll have to use anti-newton spray, which might introduce problems on its own - or so I'm told. I would also rather use a method that is known to produce the best result right off the bat, that is, wet-mounting.

In regard to you being "perplexed by people who fail to do their homework before jumping into stuff" - I'm not sure if that was aimed at me, however, I must admit I took offense anyway. Besides not really contributing to the thread in any constructive manner, the statement is false in itself. I did extensive research before deciding to buy a drum scanner, the decision wasen't made over night. The scanner model, however, was bought on impulse due to a too good to be true bargain. Not a whole lot of information exists about the SM5000 on the internet anyway, and the information that due exist about drum scanners in genreal tend to be ambiguous at best (at least at the forums I've visited), especially when you don't know who to trust. I thus decided to seek my answers here instead as it's obvious that the people here actually know what they are talking about. With all due respect, point me in the direction of a good source of information and I'll be more than happy to read up on it. I appreciate any help I can get.

It is the internet, what do you expect? Don't be so butt-hurt, I am speaking generally across a range of forums, some not even photography related.

Here's a wet mount station for you, probably cost more than the scanner itself. You could always try DIY.
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Scanview-Sca...59d515c&pid=100011&rk=2&rkt=2&sd=121839660683

Some scanmate models do not even have a removable drum like the 2000.

 

[Netsoft2k]

Chiming in with some thoughts that are just as FYI. Do you get the best scans by wet mounting, YES! Do you get ridiculously awesome scans without wet mounting, also YES.

Based on my own style of photography, I can get away with about 80% of my scanning without having to do a wet mount. I shoot B&W and E6 (Velvia) about 90% of time. B&W almost always doesn't have newton rings if I mount the emulsion side to the drum. E6, I never have issues unless I have a clear white or very light area on the slide.

Examples may help you more.

Wet Mount Scan example from a 4x5 Velvia 100F. The white area right above the tree line in the middle would suffer from newton rings if not wet mount.


Black Hill Early Fall - Drum Scan by Pali K, on Flickr

Dry Mount C41 4x5 Kodak Ektar Color Negative:


Fall 2015 by Pali K, on Flickr

Dry Mount E6 6x7 MF Velvia 100:


Just Grass Velvia 100 by Pali K, on Flickr

Wet mounting does offer other benefits like better resolution (rarely needed in my case) and better masking for dirt or other artifacts on film but for me, these benefits are not worth the extra effort unless I also need to address the newton ring issue. Hopefully this gives you some understanding on what you can expect with or without wet mounting.

Pali

 

[MarinB]

Some scanmate models do not even have a removable drum like the 2000.

My ScanMate 3000 also has a non-removable drum, yet I manage to wet mount on it. Not easy, but doable. I use Kami SXL 2001, which evaporates really fast, and also SDS Anti-Newton oil, which requires cleaning the film afterwards (using distilled water baths). Nice little scanner, but 11000 and a mounting station is the s**t.

 

[calebarchie]

My ScanMate 3000 also has a non-removable drum, yet I manage to wet mount on it. Not easy, but doable. I use Kami SXL 2001, which evaporates really fast, and also SDS Anti-Newton oil, which requires cleaning the film afterwards (using distilled water baths). Nice little scanner, but 11000 and a mounting station is the s**t.

I've wet mounted with shellite before basically the same as the Kami. I'm thinking using mineral oil would make wet mounting without a station a little easier. I don't have access to the commercial products here but have success with alternatives.

No doubt a station would be nice, I plan to make one. If someone has one and can provide some basic dimensions that would be great.

 

[MarinB]

ScanMate 3000 issue

ScanMate 3000 issue

Calebarchie, I might be able to make detailed photos of the Scanmate mounting station and make measurements of all parts. PM me...

BTW, a question for the experts.

I've been having occasional issues with lines in scans on my SM3000. Always scanned at 3000 dpi in LAB, no profile. Sometimes lines such as illustrated below appear. This is an example from a properly exposed in-date 400 ASA Fuji color neg. I've installed a new bulb, cleaned bulb contacts, and yet it still shows up on about every third scan. Any suggestions?

 

[monkeyfist]

In my opinion, these scanners are worth every you will need to run the software in WinXP compatibility and with administrator rights.

No need for compatibility mode, just administrative rights. In win7x64 & win10x64.

or is there some actual up side on running it in compatibility mode that i have not noticed?