scanner dying?

[IloveTLRs]

I have a feeling my scanner is dying Quite a few of my B&W scans come out too dark, even though the previews are okay. The other day on warm-up, it made some funny cracking noises. I use a Canscan 8600F.

How long do scanners last? I bought mine in early 2007, and have done a few hundred rolls of 135 and 120. Maybe it's reaching the end of its life?

I was thinking of either the Canoscan 8800F or Epson v600 (different name here in Japan.) I read the v600 doesn't do so well with color negatives sometimes, and yesterday the local electronics shop said it would take a month to stock the 8800F :rolleyes:

 

[Worker 11811]

Could be the high voltage power supply.
(Those lamps inside there run on something like 600 volts.)

How are your humidity levels?
High humidity could be a cause of the power supply malfunction.

Is the illumination level consistent throughout the scan or scan-to-scan? That would be a sure sign the power supply is malfunctioning.

That's not something I would be comfortable telling anybody how to repair if they aren't an expert electronics repair person. If the lamp or power supply are dead, the scanner is done for.

But that Canon 8800F is a good scanner. That's the one I use and I like it a lot. I got mine from Newegg for $140 and shipping was free.
(Being in Japan... YMMV.)

 

[pellicle]

Hi

I have an Epson which I bought used from a business, works fine and its an early 2001 model. None of my Epsons (bought one new) have given me any trouble, but perhaps I was lucky.

In general Mean Time before Death on electronics gear is a statistical calculation, and specific units can easily fall outside of that in either direction.

Personally I'd have said that the Canon's don't do so well with negs. I've decided to ditch the negative side of the scanner software in favour of working with it in positive and post processing (after some years of struggling with this or that thing).

I do it this way with both my Epson and my Nikon LS4000

http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2009/10/quick-negative-scan-tutorial.html

 

[IloveTLRs]

Thanks for the responses. I'm guessing it's just about dead, and I've already put a few hundred rolls through it.

Humidity where I live is very bad in Summer, which might have contributed to its demise.

I may just buy a cheaper Epson scanner that does 35mm only. I've built a darkroom and will probably be scanning prints instead of negatives. Less time and less waste, I'm hoping.

 

[Marco B]

I have a feeling my scanner is dying Quite a few of my B&W scans come out too dark, even though the previews are okay. The other day on warm-up, it made some funny cracking noises. I use a Canscan 8600F.

Although Worker 11811's suggestion of a power supply problem is not nonsense (the external power supply / transformer of my Canon 9950F died within 1 1/2 year, I simply replaced it with a transformer with the same specs from an electronics shop for a fraction of the price of a new scanner - ever good since), I doubt if the issue you had indicates a failure of the scanner.

My scanner can make crancky noises too at times, for example when doing the calibration. But the issue you describe "preview okay, scan to dark" is something I have also experienced with B&W negative scans on my Canon 9950F.

This is NOT a scanner, but SOFTWARE issue, as also proven by the good preview scans! Why would the scanner be "dead" if the preview scan still shows it can do the job??? Although I unfortunately haven't completely figured out which setting is to blame, I am almost 100% certain it is the Canoscan Scangear CS software that is the culprit. It sometimes fails to recognize some of the settings made.

In my experience, the issue is often solved by scrupulously going through all the settings (comboboxes, dpi), and resetting them again, even if you don't want a change to the displayed or preselected values. Don't forget to set the options under the "Preferences" button as well, I usually also switch the Colormanagement to "none".

Somehow, the Canon Scangear software fails to update its settings, and outputs to dark a file. It may have to do with a gamma setting or something, but it is almost certainly a software, not hardware, issue.

Marco

 

[Worker 11811]

You are right, Marco. The problem can be in software. That is very likely.

I was not talking about the "wall wart" or the "power brick" that converts house current into DC to power the entire scanner.

The cold cathode fluorescent lamp that the scanner uses operates at voltages in the range of 200 - 300 vdc and the strike voltage can be anywhere from 500 or 600 vdc and up. It all depends on the size and specification of the lamp. There is a second supply INSIDE the scanner which supplies that voltage.

If one hears a "snapping" or a "crackling" noise like the sound of static electricity it might be because of a breakdown in the HIGH VOLTAGE supply for the cold cathode lamp.

If it is the high voltage supply, the lamp would flicker, go out or fail to strike in the first place. It would be obvious. Unless one was an electronics technician, this would be a non-repairable failure.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying this is the diagnosis. I am using the process of elimination.

You are right. The problem just might be in software. I stopped using ScanGear for anything but "quick and dirty" scans like converting printed material into PDFs and things like that. For anything else, I use VueScan.

Certainly check all your settings in ScanGear to be sure they are not causing the trouble but another good idea would be to eliminate a software problem by switching to some other scanning software to see if the problem gets better, worse or stays the same. If you have reset all your software settings back to default and the problem still persists, try different software. If different software does not solve the problem then it might be a hardware failure.

 

[Marco B]

I'm not talking about the "wall wart" or the "power brick" that converts house current into DC to power the entire scanner.

The cold cathode fluorescent lamp that the scanner uses operates at voltages in the range of 200 - 300 vdc and the strike voltage can be anywhere from 500 or 600 vdc and up. It all depends on the size and specification of the lamp. There is a second supply INSIDE the scanner which supplies that voltage.

If one hears a "snapping" or a "crackling" noise like the sound of static electricity it might be because of a breakdown in the HIGH VOLTAGE supply for the cold cathode lamp.

Thanks for explaining further , I had misunderstood, although I am aware of need for a "starter" unit for cold cathode fluorescent tubes, as you can replace them in the large fittings used in offices etc. But I am not a technician...

I still think the exact problem the OP described is software related, as I experience it sometimes too. Your suggestion of trying other software, might in this respect be good in helping to eliminate the possible causes as you also pointed out.

 

[Worker 11811]

It's partly my fault. I started writing in the middle of a thought and assumed everybody would know what I'm talking about.

When I troubleshoot any system, the first thing I do is be sure all the simple things are covered. (Is it plugged in?) Then I consider hardware malfunctions. Then, finally, I solve software problems. Basically, I start at the top of the list and eliminate potential problems until I solve the problem.

When I read that there was a strange sound coming out of the scanner I thought that might indicate a hardware malfunction. That is a problem that needs to be ruled out. But, if the scanner operates and the lamp doesn't flicker, go out or get really dim that would be enough to rule out that kind of problem

After that, the next logical thing is to look at software.

 

[IloveTLRs]

I went to scan a few prints I made two nights ago, and the preview and scan had funny colored lines down the right side :rolleyes: I moved the print to the other side of the scanner and it worked for the time being.

If ScanGear is playing games with me, is there any other software I can use? I'd rather not shell out for a new scanner if this one still works, and I need money to repair broken cameras

 

[Worker 11811]

Silverfast: http://www.silverfast.com/

VueScan: http://hamrick.com/

Both of these programs will do a good job of operating your scanner. I think you will find they do as well and sometimes better than the manufacturer's software.

I use VueScan. I have been able to scan some images that ScanGear could not handle.

Both programs are commercial software but they both allow you to download free trials. This way you can test to see if it is hardware or software that is causing your problem.

 

[IloveTLRs]

Thanks for all the suggestions ... but my scanner is definitely dying, or almost dead.
I installed VueScan but it couldn't find the scanner, then it couldn't find the driver :rolleyes:
SilverFast worked, but the preview and scan came out exactly like the Canon scanning software (as you can see in the attached image - please ignore the watermark.)

 

[Loris Medici]

I think you've a problem with your transparency lid; lightsource and/or connection cable between the main unit and the transparency lid. Do you notice flickering and/or light intensity changes? Solution may be as simple as replacing the lightsource. (I mean if they stock the replacement part, plus, they do the servicing for a reasonable price.) I think you should have contacted the nearest Canon technical service before asking here...

P.S. BTW, I see that a newer model sells for only USD 185. Similar for same level Epson models. If the servicing/refurbishing is going to cost more than USD 60-65, you may opt to buy a new scanner. (I would go for Epson...)

 

[Worker 11811]

I agree. Your scanner's lamp is definitely flickering during the scan.

Are we scanning a print or a transparency? If this is a print, the problem is inside the scanner chassis. If it is a transparency, the problem might simply be in the connection between the lid and the chassis.

Scan both, transparency and print, and see if the problem occurs in both modes. A failure in BOTH modes indicates the internal power supply for the cold cathode lamp is failing. There is little you can do to repair that.

If the problem is in the transparency lid, my first line of attack would be to check the connection between the lid and the scanner body.

If it is the type that can be unplugged, unplug it and inspect it for damage. Check both the plug and the socket. Look for damaged contacts, frayed wires and foreign materials or dirt. Carefully clean the contacts with an appropriate tool, being careful not to cause your own damage in the process. Plug it back in, being sure the contacts are fully seated.

Check the wire, itself for damage. Look for broken insulation, wires that are pulling out of the strain reliefs where the wire enters the chassis at both ends, twisted cables or any other visible damage.

Rectify these problems, if they exist, then retest.
If you know how to use a soldering iron, you MIGHT be able to repair damaged wires if you are careful. Remember! This is a high voltage connection! There could be several hundred volts going through those wires! Be sure the scanner is powered off, unplugged from the mains and has bee sitting idle for at least 30 minutes.

If you know somebody who is handy with electronics and can effect the repair, you might be able to get this done for the price of a few beers.

I also agree with Loris... Contact Canon for service but don't spend more than $50 (US) to get this repaired. (I assume this is an out-of-warranty repair. Correct?)


A new flatbed scanner can be had for $150 - $200 (US).
The CanoScan 8800F uses LEDs instead of a cold cathode lamp. It has zero warm-up time and will never have trouble with the lamp failing like you have had. I use this scanner and it is good for me.
But, as Loris indicates, shop around. There are similar models from several manufacturers. Definitely consider Epson. Good brand.

 

[pellicle]

or it could just be dirt

 

[IloveTLRs]

When scanning darkroom prints (or any photo) I was getting funny colored lines. When I scanned B&W negs I got muddy tones and very dark results. Color negs had funny colors.

Last night I shelled out for the Epson GT-X820 - I think that's the v600 overseas. WOW what a difference! : ) Negs that I thought were lost have come out much better!

The shop told me that repair for the 8600F would probably be about $150 or more, so I decided to retire it. I had bought it in early 2007, so it was far out of warranty. It's a shame since it served me so well all these years.

 

[pellicle]

congratulations ... its always nice to have a nice new scanner on the desk