Nikon Coolscan 9000: odd gradient on scans

Tom Kershaw · Oct 29, 2018

I've seen this crop up on some of my scans recently. Darkroom prints from the negatives are completely free of this gradient marking so logic suggests something is going wrong in the scanning stage. I'm using VueScan, but dug out an old computer and repeated scans with Nikon Scan 4 software which showed the same problem but to a lesser extent. Using the glass negative carrier and suspect something may be not operating correctly with how the holder is keeping the film flat. Has anyone else seen this?

Tom

manualcrank · Oct 29, 2018

I think this is caused by internal flare. I see it on overdeveloped/high-contrast negatives and sometimes when I don't use masking strips. Scan a properly exposed and developed negative of a flatly-lit scene to confirm.

manualcrank · Oct 29, 2018

When it started happening to me I checked my thermometer. Turns out it I was developing everything at 26 C instead of 20. Problem went away after I replaced it.

shutterfinger · Oct 29, 2018

Scanners pick up very slight differences in densities that do not show up in wet printing. Sometimes those differences are from insufficient fixing, insufficient washing, or haze in the atmosphere.
Try putting the negative in the holder 180° and scan it again. Stripe on the same side of the viewed image its the scanner, stripe on the opposite side of the viewed image its the negative.

gorbas · Oct 29, 2018

manualcrank said:
I think this is caused by internal flare.

+1
Most likely light leak around edges of glass carrier mask. On your scan I can almost see that square cut out on the left side of the mask?

Oren Grad · Oct 29, 2018

manualcrank said:
I think this is caused by internal flare.

And another +1.

Patrick Robert James · Oct 29, 2018

You probably need to check to see if the mirror is dusty. That will cause flare around anything dark like the edge of the neg. Nikon scanners are infamous for it.

I try to remember to clean my Nikon once a year at least but I often forget until I notice issues like the one you have.

Tom Kershaw · Oct 30, 2018

manualcrank said:
I think this is caused by internal flare. I see it on overdeveloped/high-contrast negatives and sometimes when I don't use masking strips. Scan a properly exposed and developed negative of a flatly-lit scene to confirm.

Good point, the negatives were fairly dense / high contrast scenes.

Patrick Robert James said:
You probably need to check to see if the mirror is dusty. That will cause flare around anything dark like the edge of the neg. Nikon scanners are infamous for it.

I try to remember to clean my Nikon once a year at least but I often forget until I notice issues like the one you have.

- this may be the case, I should read up on the mirror.

EdSawyer · Oct 30, 2018

Are you using the masks/strips to cover up the blank spots between frames?

jtk · Oct 30, 2018

A reminder to keep the scanner dust-covered when not in use. But in this case it does look like what happens with a waaay-too-dense negative. I doubt that problem would happen with a properly processed neg of a subject on a brightly lit white background or a bird in bright sky

Tom Kershaw · Oct 30, 2018

EdSawyer said:
Are you using the masks/strips to cover up the blank spots between frames?

Yes.

jtk said:
A reminder to keep the scanner dust-covered when not in use. But in this case it does look like what happens with a waaay-too-dense negative. I doubt that problem would happen with a properly processed neg of a subject on a brightly lit white background or a bird in bright sky

Definitely a reminder. I've just scanned a negative with a more typical density (not over-exposed), photographed in bright sunlight and no sign of the problem. Think I'll hold off dismantling the scanner for the time being and monitor if and when this artefact occurs.

jtk · Oct 30, 2018

Tom Kershaw said:
Yes.

Definitely a reminder. I've just scanned a negative with a more typical density (not over-exposed), photographed in bright sunlight and no sign of the problem. Think I'll hold off dismantling the scanner for the time being and monitor if and when this artefact occurs.

I think it's risky practice ever to open the scanner to attempt cleanings unless evidence demands that. If necessary it indicates the scanner lives in a dirty / dusty environment... This isn't a "notorious" Nikon reality, it applies to cameras and darkrooms for the same reasons. Occasional wet mopping of work environment is a good idea, frequent sweeping/dusting is a bad idea, dogs cats have to hang out elsewhere.

Tom Kershaw · Oct 31, 2018

jtk said:
I think it's risky practice ever to open the scanner to attempt cleanings unless evidence demands that. If necessary it indicates the scanner lives in a dirty / dusty environment... This isn't a "notorious" Nikon reality, it applies to cameras and darkrooms for the same reasons. Occasional wet mopping of work environment is a good idea, frequent sweeping/dusting is a bad idea, dogs cats have to hang out elsewhere.

Thankfully the scanner is not in a heavily trafficked area. Good point on the wet mopping though.

EdSawyer · Oct 31, 2018

These are pretty easy to open and clean the mirror or lens, just an FYI. You can add flocking to the bottom panel as well, at the same time, which should cut down on light bouncing around inside.

Martin C · Aug 16, 2022

I know this is a pretty old thread but wanted to note that I just added black flocking to the bottom panel of by 9000 and it nearly eliminated the band that the original poster was seeing on their scans. I also feel that it improved tonality in some areas of scans.

Paul Ozzello · Aug 17, 2022

Martin C said:
I know this is a pretty old thread but wanted to note that I just added black flocking to the bottom panel of by 9000 and it nearly eliminated the band that the original poster was seeing on their scans. I also feel that it improved tonality in some areas of scans.

Interesting mod - what material did you use? And where exactly do you apply it?

Martin C · Aug 17, 2022

The material I used was just some I obtained on Amazon after searching for black self adhesive flocking, there may well be better types but if you want a link let me know(not sure if I can post links here). As to the area covered I pretty much covered all of the area under the scanner assembly avoiding the screw bosses. There is clearance there so I didn't see a reason not to add that much! When I take the cover off again I may also add flat black paint to the inner case sides in the area of the mirror since there may also be some light scattered from there. Hope this helps.

MattKing · Aug 17, 2022

Martin C said:
not sure if I can post links here

It isn't a problem. Please don't post links to rogue (security risk) websites or for the purpose of frequently promoting your own business, unless you are a paid advertiser.
And welcome to Photrio.

radialMelt · Apr 13, 2024

Hi Tom, did you ever get to the bottom of this? I am experiencing the same phenomenon.

Tom Kershaw · Apr 13, 2024

radialMelt said:
Hi Tom, did you ever get to the bottom of this? I am experiencing the same phenomenon.

Off the top of my head, it had something to do with high density areas of the negative, and internal glare / CCD issues. I have since switched over to the Stephan Scharf 3D set-up for the Coolscan and haven't really had any issues, although I'd need to rescan that negative from 2018 to be sure.

radialMelt · Apr 13, 2024

Thanks for the quick reply. My suspicion is that it is related to the glass holder, and your experience would support that. Will have to experiment on my end. Cheers

Nikon Coolscan 9000: odd gradient on scans

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