Dirt under the glass.

[stevejs]

I've finally bought myself a medium-format-capable scanner - an Epson 4180. There is quite a noticeable film of dirt on the underside of the glass, and I'm planning to get in there and give it a clean. I have done this before on other (non-photo) scanners, and I've found information online on how to remove the top from a 3170, which looks a very similar unit.

I'm assuming this dirt will actually degrade results - or am I in danger of doing more harm than good? Has anyone here done this job themselves? Any tips on mistakes to avoid, or positive info. on removing the top on this particular model?

Thanks, Steve.

 

[selmslie]

I've finally bought myself a medium-format-capable scanner - an Epson 4180. There is quite a noticeable film of dirt on the underside of the glass, and I'm planning to get in there and give it a clean. I have done this before on other (non-photo) scanners, and I've found information online on how to remove the top from a 3170, which looks a very similar unit.

I'm assuming this dirt will actually degrade results - or am I in danger of doing more harm than good? Has anyone here done this job themselves? Any tips on mistakes to avoid, or positive info. on removing the top on this particular model?

Thanks, Steve.

If you can get the glass out safely and clean it you will reduce the need to spot your scanned images. While the glass is out, try to give the interior a gentle cleaning so that that side of the glass does not get dusted again.

Dust is the bane of scanning. I often spend more time spotting the image than it took to scan it. It's best to start with the cleanest possible negative and glass.

Photoshop Elements and Capture NX2 seem to do the easiest for spotting. Lightroom, Picture Window Pro and Corel Paintshop are OK but less convenient.

 

[Doug Fisher]

I would stick with cleaning the glass only. You don't want to stir up more than necessary and then get dust down into the optics bar where it could get on the mirrors or sensor.

Dust isn't the only thing you want to remove. The fogging/film on the underside of the glass can really make a difference in terms of contrast and color.

Doug

 

[stevejs]

Thanks, both. I'll give it a try in the next couple of days when I have some space on the bench.

The chance of getting dust into the optics is a bit of a worry - it would be a pity to wreck the machine before I've used it! I'll have to be very careful.