Epson 4490 acting up

[KD5NRH]

Sample: (Click for full size)



Note the rainbow lines (vertical in the scan, actually running across the film) in the image. These get closer together with higher resolution and farther apart with lower resolution. Setting it to grayscale only output looks just like this image desaturated; the lines are a bit less visible, but still there.

I've cleaned both sides of the bottom glass, and the exposed side of the top glass. Cleaned the scanning element with a camel hair brush and a puffer. I've used a pretty fair assortment of "streak-free" cleaners on the glass including Windex, eyeglass cleaner, methanol, and vinegar, with little to no change. This scan is using the glassless carrier, so no extra source of smudges there. I did try a fluid mount without the Epson carrier, and it still showed the lines, though a bit less visibly.

It's occurring with everything from Efke 25 to Ilford DP400 and Fujicolor 200, so it's not just one film having some sort of odd refractive effect.

As far as I can tell, the 4490 has no manual calibration process. The drivers are the most recent available from Epson's site, running on Vista Home Premium SP2.

[venchka]

Are there different drivers to try? Uninstall and reinstall drivers? Just grasping at straws. Clueless really.

[forksphoto]

It's dust either over the calibration holes or on the inside of the scanner possibly on the CCD. So you'll need to clean it really well inside and out. (rocket blower, compressed air, anti static wipes, glass cleaner, etc.) There are several flickr discussions covering this issue and dust is the only reall consensus, but in cases it's in different locations. Some users suggested it was memory issue but that was not conclusive and seemed to be disproved by other posters. Still other suggested re-installing the software and using Silverfast, but again that was inconclusive.Good luck.

[KD5NRH]

Originally Posted by forksphoto

It's dust either over the calibration holes or on the inside of the scanner possibly on the CCD. So you'll need to clean it really well inside and out. (rocket blower, compressed air, anti static wipes, glass cleaner, etc.)

Just got the upper assembly reassembled, so we'll see what happens.

Some users suggested it was memory issue but that was not conclusive and seemed to be disproved by other posters. Still other suggested re-installing the software and using Silverfast, but again that was inconclusive.Good luck.

The memory thing always strikes me as fishy, since it's worked for over two years. Silverfast costs half what I paid for the scanner, so I'd be more likely to just order a new scanner and be done with it.

[venchka]

...or a nice low mileage, complete Epson 4990. EpsonScan software works for me. You can't beat that software price. Updated drivers for the latest operating systems too.

[Admiral_A300]

you could always take out the lines in photoshop or have somebody do it for you...wink wink

[KD5NRH]

Originally Posted by Admiral_A300

you could always take out the lines in photoshop or have somebody do it for you...wink wink

I've patched up a few, but it's hardly worth the hassle for 90% of the shots.

[Admiral_A300]

holy cow!!! ok, so its not just this picture? wow. i wonder if there is something in the paper that when you try and scan it it comes out, like the void stamps on checks when you copy/scan them. if that is the case....i dont think there is too much you can do. unless you can give the film to a shop and have them redevelope them and put them on a CD, or you can find somebody with the negative scanner.

that really is weird. hope you figure it out.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by Admiral_A300

holy cow!!! ok, so its not just this picture? wow. i wonder if there is something in the paper that when you try and scan it it comes out, like the void stamps on checks when you copy/scan them. if that is the case....i dont think there is too much you can do. unless you can give the film to a shop and have them redevelope them and put them on a CD, or you can find somebody with the negative scanner.

that really is weird. hope you figure it out.

Huh?