Imacon Scan Problem

[Richard Wasserman]

I am using an Imacon Precision III scanner and have an occasional problem. I am getting fine, dark colored lines which seem to show up mainly in blue skies. I have attached an exaggerated scan as an example. I recently had the scanner serviced by Hasselblad, which did a CLA and replaced the timing belt and flourescent tubes. I'm at a loss as to what this could be, and appreciate any ideas.

[Brian Sims]

Was it doing this before you had it CLA'ed? Or did it start when you got it back from the shop? Does it do the same when you scan a smaller format?

[Richard Wasserman]

It had the same problem, only worse, before the CLA. Scanning 120 film shows the same thing. Scanning black and white film is perfect, never a glitch.

I feel that it must be some sort of hardware issue, although I don't have a clue what it could be. I found my experience with Hasselblad USA service to be extremely frustrating. It was almost impossible to get anyone to talk to me on the phone, and when I did they were not at all helpful.

[Richard Wasserman]

Just to be clear—I am having this identical problem with both 4x5 and 120 film.

[Drewskers]

Maybe the same problem as this?

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?76498-Problem-with-the-scanner-Imacon-Flextight-Precision-III

[Richard Wasserman]

Pretty much. However, Hasselblad did the service recommended and I still have the problem (only not as severe as it was)



Maybe the same problem as this?

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?76498-Problem-with-the-scanner-Imacon-Flextight-Precision-III

[Evanjoe610]

Pretty much. However, Hasselblad did the service recommended and I still have the problem (only not as severe as it was)

Richard,

Who did you speak with at Hasselblad? Are you located in New Jersey within driving distance?

If not, ASK and SPEAK in person with either:

Chris Moore
Hasselblad Technical Support

HASSELBLAD USA INC

333 New Road,
Parsippany, NJ 07054, USA
Telephone: 800-367-6434 x304

cmoore@hasselbladusa.com


Or his direct Manager, just not sure if his last name. His first name is James or Jimmy.

They were quite helpful in overhauling my Imacon Precision II.

Evan
__________________

[Richard Wasserman]

Thank you Evan. I spoke with the service manager who was not particularly interested in helping. I'll give Chris Moore a call on Monday. Unfortunately I'm in Chicago.


Richard,

Who did you speak with at Hasselblad? Are you located in New Jersey within driving distance?

If not, ASK and SPEAK in person with either:

Chris Moore
Hasselblad Technical Support

HASSELBLAD USA INC

333 New Road,
Parsippany, NJ 07054, USA
Telephone: 800-367-6434 x304

cmoore@hasselbladusa.com


Or his direct Manager, just not sure if his last name. His first name is James or Jimmy.

They were quite helpful in overhauling my Imacon Precision II.

Evan
__________________

[Michael Rosenberg]

I had my unit serviced this summer up in NJ, and had no problem communicating with them. I had no issues with mine. I suggest that you try again. Have you tried scanning the B/W as color, and color as B/WE?
Good luck,
Mike

[Evanjoe610]

Thank you Evan. I spoke with the service manager who was not particularly interested in helping. I'll give Chris Moore a call on Monday. Unfortunately I'm in Chicago.

Richard,

I'm hoping that Chris is still there. He is a young guy who is savvy with the Ratoc and the various OS out there in either Windows or Apple.

As long as you have a Ratoc FRS1X Firewire adapter it would allow you to move in the Firewire Connection.

Since you have a Precision III, I' guessing that you have a Firewire adapter that was bundled with the Original Hasselblad OEM Upgrade?

If that is the case, you might have to ask Hasselblad if that adapter has any Firmware Upgrade required.


Get the individual's name next time you spoke with them directly. Too bad you don't live in NJ, as a Face-to-Face meeting tends to "warm-up" the overall tone of the uninterested individual you dealt with.

I will be interested in hearing the outcome of your issue. Once you speak with Chris, I hope that he will resolve your issues. He is a fantastic guy to speak with.

Evan

[Richard Wasserman]

I'll give Chris a call tomorrow. I have a Ratoc adapter that I purchased—when I bought the scanner it didn't have one. It never occurred to me that it might be a Firewire issue?

I'll be sure to report back about after—I hope—some resolution of this most aggravating problem.



Richard,

I'm hoping that Chris is still there. He is a young guy who is savvy with the Ratoc and the various OS out there in either Windows or Apple.

As long as you have a Ratoc FRS1X Firewire adapter it would allow you to move in the Firewire Connection.

Since you have a Precision III, I' guessing that you have a Firewire adapter that was bundled with the Original Hasselblad OEM Upgrade?

If that is the case, you might have to ask Hasselblad if that adapter has any Firmware Upgrade required.


Get the individual's name next time you spoke with them directly. Too bad you don't live in NJ, as a Face-to-Face meeting tends to "warm-up" the overall tone of the uninterested individual you dealt with.

I will be interested in hearing the outcome of your issue. Once you speak with Chris, I hope that he will resolve your issues. He is a fantastic guy to speak with.

Evan

[Evanjoe610]

I'll give Chris a call tomorrow. I have a Ratoc adapter that I purchased—when I bought the scanner it didn't have one. It never occurred to me that it might be a Firewire issue?

I'll be sure to report back about after—I hope—some resolution of this most aggravating problem.

Hi Richard,

Sorry, I should had read what you wrote more carefully! I saw the Precision III designation, so I assume that you had the bundled Firewire adapter that was sold with the upgrade kit for Precision II to Precision III. Naturally I assumed that it was a true Precision II that was upgraded by Imacon / Hasselblad.
That Precision III upgrade used a different branded adapter than that of the Ratoc, thus might be the source of the problem, but not likely.

Nowadays, per what Chris Moore told me, was if you have a Precision II scanner and you used a Ratoc FRS1X to make the Firewire connection, you essentially have a Precision III. If you are "rolling" back the Firewire to the older release (not sure, as I'm not in front of my scanner - 123??), You should be able to scan.

Since you stated you were scanning and getting those black lines, there is strong possibility that the bulb could be bad or the sleeve is not optimized to allow for the bulb to reveal itself for scanning purposes. It might be something simply like that. Are you aware that there is an ImaconUsers Group on Yahoo Forum? Majority of your questions could be answered there by the knowledgeable folks there.

Otherwise, Chris is a pleasure to speak with and he will walk you through the settings and answer whatever technical questions you may have.

Evan

[Richard Wasserman]

The problem was operator error—usually is isn't it?

As I was waiting in vain for someone from Hasselblad to return my several calls pleading for help, I searched the yahoo Imacon Group (thanks Evan!) and discovered what I was doing wrong. I was using the default setting for unsharp masking which is very high. It needs to be set at -120, if you simply turn it off, it evidently is still at 100 or so. I have rescanned a couple of my previously problematic negatives and there is no sign of the problem I was having.

I have to say that my experience with Hasselblad USA customer service has been abysmal. I would only consider using them again if I absolutely had no other options.

[Evanjoe610]

Hi Richard,

I'm a bit surprise to hear that your call went unanswered by Hasselblad USA. Your incident, I'm hoping is simply one that slipped through the crack, as my encounter (usually in person) has always been one of Friendliness and solid advice.

Next time ask for John Connelley, who is the Service Manager for Hasselblad USA. Another way to get a response, would be to e-mail them at Support@Hasselbladusa.com. They will eventually get back to you. That was how I corresponded with Chris by e-mail before stepping into the Service Dept to meet him face-to-face.

The Imacon Yahoo Group is fantastic and you are guarantee to get an answer within several hours. The support level is great, so it would help to back it up in the event you have any future issues or questions.

Glad to hear that you are back on track to using one of the few remaining medium format scanner supported by a manufacturer.






The problem was operator error—usually is isn't it?

As I was waiting in vain for someone from Hasselblad to return my several calls pleading for help, I searched the yahoo Imacon Group (thanks Evan!) and discovered what I was doing wrong. I was using the default setting for unsharp masking which is very high. It needs to be set at -120, if you simply turn it off, it evidently is still at 100 or so. I have rescanned a couple of my previously problematic negatives and there is no sign of the problem I was having.

I have to say that my experience with Hasselblad USA customer service has been abysmal. I would only consider using them again if I absolutely had no other options.

[ChuckT]

If you go to the Yahoo group you may see my posts. Service on Imacon scanners (we have an X5 AND a service contract(!)) by Hasselblad, for us (YRMV), has been less than optimal.

cvt


Hi Richard,

I'm a bit surprise to hear that your call went unanswered by Hasselblad USA. Your incident, I'm hoping is simply one that slipped through the crack, as my encounter (usually in person) has always been one of Friendliness and solid advice.

Next time ask for John Connelley, who is the Service Manager for Hasselblad USA. Another way to get a response, would be to e-mail them at Support@Hasselbladusa.com. They will eventually get back to you. That was how I corresponded with Chris by e-mail before stepping into the Service Dept to meet him face-to-face.

The Imacon Yahoo Group is fantastic and you are guarantee to get an answer within several hours. The support level is great, so it would help to back it up in the event you have any future issues or questions.

Glad to hear that you are back on track to using one of the few remaining medium format scanner supported by a manufacturer.

[Richard Wasserman]

That was certainly my experience also—repeatedly.


If you go to the Yahoo group you may see my posts. Service on Imacon scanners (we have an X5 AND a service contract(!)) by Hasselblad, for us (YRMV), has been less than optimal.

cvt

[PhotoToyo]

I happen to know that the offices of Hasselblad USA in New Jersey just moved to a new location. Their phone service has been lacking because of the move. Things seem to have settled a bit now and they are back to their usual prompt and helpful service.

[Evanjoe610]

So Hasselblsd moved again. The previous location was on New Road in Parsippany, NJ. I see that the new information for them is:

Hasselblad Bron Inc | 1080A Garden State Road, Union,NJ 07083 | 1-800-367-6434





I happen to know that the offices of Hasselblad USA in New Jersey just moved to a new location. Their phone service has been lacking because of the move. Things seem to have settled a bit now and they are back to their usual prompt and helpful service.

[ChuckT]

Our X5 came back.

I was told the $1k repair was paid.

A careful look at the case did not find any damage and/or repair. (Hasselblad Service claimed it was damaged in shipping.)

cvt