Minolta Dimage Scan Elite 5400 needs lens/mirror cleaning

[yossi]

Hello everyone (this is my first post btw),

I have been using Minolta scanner KM5400 for years with great results. Recently, the scanned images appear fuzzy with weird artifacts which I suspect is caused by either fungus on lens or very dusty mirror. At times, the AF failed to work also. As there is no one in my country (Singapore) who is able to service this scanner, I am trying to figure out how to clean the optics DIY way.

I appreciate if anyone has information related to this issues or suggestions as to how this cleaning could be done. TIA.
(I managed to clean my Coolscan 9000's mirror successfully after watching an youtube video but no luck looking for a similar video for the KM5400).

yossi

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[brbo]

It's very easy. Open the scanner, lens is behind a large rectangular plastic cover that you peel off. Very easy to get out. Mark the position and orientation of the lens so that you don't put it back in wrong orientation. At the same time you can clean the sensor's protective glass and mirror. Both easily accessible.

 

[yossi]

Thanks very much brbo. Your message gives me hope

The most detailed info. I found so far is this diagram. It looks very complicated to me.
Would you tell me which part is the large rectangular plastic cover that you are referring to?

 

[brbo]

It's on the other side

edit: Here is a great step-by-step guide on how to remove the lens. Looking at the guide now, I think I misspoke about CCD sensor being accessible after removing the cover of the light tunnel. You might also need to remove the CCD assembly to properly clean it. But it's not a problem if you then take your time to center it properly on reassembly (with some try and repeat you can probably do a better job than what it is now).

P.S. As always, care should be taken when cleaning the mirror (only clean it if necessary).

 

[yossi]

Ya, silly me. It IS on the other side of the scanner, not shown in the diagram from the manual.
The mirror is indeed dirty and I am going to open up that plastic and see if the lens also needs cleaning. I will exercise great care while cleaning them as advised.
Thanks so much for your great help. Much appreciated.

 

[yossi]

Glad to report that after carefully cleaning the dirty mirror and fugus-infected lens, my Elite Scan 5400 scanner is working great again! I am so happy now.

Thanks brbo for the great tips.

 

[emoney]

Hey guys. My 5400 is leaving rainbow colored lines (pixels) on my scans. (you can see them in attached photo) I took out the lens and mirror. Lens looked fine so I cleaned the mirror and put it back together. Didn't fix the problem. Any ideas?? Thanks.

 

[brbo]

Does it do it with all films or just Kodachrome? You could try disabling ICE for Kodachrome (and always disable it for B&W, of course)?

 

[emoney]

I don't believe these slides are Kodachrome. They have no labels.

 

[fiska]

Have you tried using a sensor swab kit?