Epson 4990 Artefacts

Stephen McAteer · Nov 7, 2023

I've been noticing some sort of artefacts on scans from my ancient Epson 4990.

Problem seems worst wih colour negs. (Sample attached.)

The same 'Dirt' artefacts appear on any negative I scan, in the same place, so it's not the negatives.

Thinking it might just be dust under the glass, I took the scanner apart & cleaned the glass.

No difference.

Can anyone suggest where I go from here?

Thanks.

koraks · Nov 7, 2023

That's dust on the glass of the transparency unit, and/or dust on the underside of the regular glass plate. There's four surfaces to clean and periodically, it needs to be done. Fortunately, it's all quite easy to reach and it takes just a regular screwdriver to get the job done.

Stephen McAteer · Nov 7, 2023

koraks said:
That's dust on the glass of the transparency unit, and/or dust on the underside of the regular glass plate. There's four surfaces to clean and periodically, it needs to be done. Fortunately, it's all quite easy to reach and it takes just a regular screwdriver to get the job done.

@koraks Thanks. I just took a look at the upper glass and I see lots of 'Powder' of some sort on the inside of it. It hadn't occurred to me that the upper glass would affect scanning. So I'll take it apart tomorrow and see how it goes. Cheers.

koraks · Nov 7, 2023

Yeah, the powder sounds familiar alright. These scanners are old and apparently some of the materials used degrade and find a way to deposit themselves into the glass. Cleaning the plates will be a recurring thing from now on, I'm afraid. I've done it several times as well.

Stephen McAteer · Nov 7, 2023

koraks said:
Yeah, the powder sounds familiar alright. These scanners are old and apparently some of the materials used degrade and find a way to deposit themselves into the glass. Cleaning the plates will be a recurring thing from now on, I'm afraid. I've done it several times as well.

Okay thanks for that. It's otherwise a good scanner. [I prefer the 'Look' from the fluorescent tube in this one to what you get from the later Epsons with the LED light source — output from those looks more harsh / contrasty to me.]

Epson 4990 Artefacts

Stephen McAteer

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Stephen McAteer

koraks

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Stephen McAteer

Epson 4990 Artefacts

Stephen McAteer

koraks

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Stephen McAteer

koraks

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Stephen McAteer

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