Epson 4870, film scanning stopped working

[ArtemF]

Hello everyone, I have the following problem - since yesterday, my Epson4870 produces more than strange results, regardless of the software I use or the computer it is attached to.

I believe, it's a hardware problem, but I have no idea what might have caused it.

First, the prescan time is now much longer than usual. Second, the results come out as a series of violet lines mixed with some distorted version of the scanned image (one cannot recognize anything, but I believe that these clusters are related to images because they are different for each would-be thumbnail). The reflective part functions without these issues.

Did you ever see such a problem with this scanner and if yes then what's the solution?

If it's something unrepairable, can you name a couple of models to replace this one? I'm scanning 120 films with it.

Many thanks in advance for the ideas.

[ArtemF]

OK, I resolved this problem, but here's the full story - perhaps, it will be helpful to someone dealing with the same problem:

*) I managed to get a reasonable quality scan by putting a light pad behind the film and scanning in a reflective mode

*) to improve the contrast, I tried to switch off the lower lamp, but, unfortunately, this can't be done - the scanner detects that there's no light and flashes red indicator light. No matter how you disable the lamp (unplug, mask with tape), the result will remain the same.

*) then I switched to the upper lamp - I've got an impression that there's something out of sync (the service manual doesn't describe this on its diagrams, but the upper CCFL and the scanning head should be synchronized). I tried to unplug/plug the upper lid connector assuming that it is loose or oxidized, but it didn't help, so I disassembled the upper unit, moved the head and unplugged/plugged the internal connectors. There was nothing suspicious about them, but the scanner came back to life after this procedure.

Of course, this method is not that bulletproof, and the problem might have been caused by some other glitch, but my experience says that if nothing is burnt or stuck then it's related to contacts.

[Heroique]

Thanks for reporting the strange symptoms and your solution.

Owners of the 4870 and 4990 scanners might bookmark this for the future.

My aging and beloved 4990 is hanging in there, despite some expected hazing, but I know it's not immortal. ;^)

[jnantz]

OK, I resolved this problem, but here's the full story - perhaps, it will be helpful to someone dealing with the same problem:

*) I managed to get a reasonable quality scan by putting a light pad behind the film and scanning in a reflective mode

*) to improve the contrast, I tried to switch off the lower lamp, but, unfortunately, this can't be done - the scanner detects that there's no light and flashes red indicator light. No matter how you disable the lamp (unplug, mask with tape), the result will remain the same.

*) then I switched to the upper lamp - I've got an impression that there's something out of sync (the service manual doesn't describe this on its diagrams, but the upper CCFL and the scanning head should be synchronized). I tried to unplug/plug the upper lid connector assuming that it is loose or oxidized, but it didn't help, so I disassembled the upper unit, moved the head and unplugged/plugged the internal connectors. There was nothing suspicious about them, but the scanner came back to life after this procedure.

Of course, this method is not that bulletproof, and the problem might have been caused by some other glitch, but my experience says that if nothing is burnt or stuck then it's related to contacts.

im glad you were able to fix it !
I, just last week or 2 weeks ago needed to replace my 4870. it would make a squeal and then do the dreaded flashing red light... in days gone by if I just waited a little while it might clear up, but this time I unplugged it for a few days to get it to act normal again ... and I ended up buying another one that I am currently using ... is it just the lid or is it the plug in the scanner itself ?
thankfully these scanners are not expensive on eBay ;). At present, I have my new to me used 20 year old scanner attached :)
Your solution with the light pad is what I was going to do with my all in one 65$ printer scanner thing if I couldn't find a spare ...
John

[ArtemF]

im glad you were able to fix it !
I, just last week or 2 weeks ago needed to replace my 4870. it would make a squeal and then do the dreaded flashing red light... in days gone by if I just waited a little while it might clear up, but this time I unplugged it for a few days to get it to act normal again ... and I ended up buying another one that I am currently using ... is it just the lid or is it the plug in the scanner itself ?
thankfully these scanners are not expensive on eBay ;). At present, I have my new to me used 20 year old scanner attached :)
Your solution with the light pad is what I was going to do with my all in one 65$ printer scanner thing if I couldn't find a spare ...

These scanners in Europe are rare and kind of expensive - I recall I paid about the same sum (~200USD) in the US back in 2008, and the US ebay scanners nowadays cost about a hundred plus another hundred for the delivery. I was thinking about purchasing v7***-v8***, which should be better than 4870, but we're talking about 400-800 EUR for a used scanner, so my repair was worth the effort :)

Coming back to your scanner - the main unit is the black box, which moves along the rails. I don't think one can do much if the internals of this box are damaged (the diagnostics with just one or two flashing LEDs is not that informative), but the squealing you mention can be checked and fixed. The upper lid is not fixed by screws, you just unplug it and lift it up. Beneath the hinges, there are 2 screws. Remove the cover with a glass panel, unplug the switch in front, and you can inspect the mechanism. It can be moved by hand, but gently and with the simultaneous rotation of the gears.

As for the light pad - it works, but one needs a strong source to override the reflection from the front surface of the film.

[jnantz]

These scanners in Europe are rare and kind of expensive - I recall I paid about the same sum (~200USD) in the US back in 2008, and the US ebay scanners nowadays cost about a hundred plus another hundred for the delivery. I was thinking about purchasing v7***-v8***, which should be better than 4870, but we're talking about 400-800 EUR for a used scanner, so my repair was worth the effort :)

Coming back to your scanner - the main unit is the black box, which moves along the rails. I don't think one can do much if the internals of this box are damaged (the diagnostics with just one or two flashing LEDs is not that informative), but the squealing you mention can be checked and fixed. The upper lid is not fixed by screws, you just unplug it and lift it up. Beneath the hinges, there are 2 screws. Remove the cover with a glass panel, unplug the switch in front, and you can inspect the mechanism. It can be moved by hand, but gently and with the simultaneous rotation of the gears.

As for the light pad - it works, but one needs a strong source to override the reflection from the front surface of the film.

I didn't realize you aer in Europe, I know from sending small things to family in Europe it costs a fortune to pick up, im not sure if it's only if it's from USA or from everywhere. I've fixed my scanner a handful of times over the years and it was pretty easy, the squeal noise and blinking light was something different though. I've lubricated the rods the head slides on, and I cleaned the electrical outgas film that builds up on the inside of the glass ... that said, there is a company about 20 minutes from me ( it is the next town over from SK Grimes IIRC ) that I came across who will fix the scanner if I have the need, but these things will cost more to fix than they are worth. I scan glass and metal sometimes so I opted out of a V/7 / V8 ... I wouldn't want to scratch the glass or light box of a beautiful object like that ... I've had things printed 6foot x8foot and it looked fantastic, so I really don't want to change a thing :)

have fun with your fixed scanner!
John

[Tin Can]

Soon I will be testing China LED panels

very good and inexpensive

Lay the negative directly on the panel

adjust color temp and power

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/P200-2500-6500K-Streaming-Conferencing-Photography/dp/B0C8TMP66L/ref=sr_1_4_pp?crid=RBTIE8QSLEVN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.iR2UsGdM9cTBzmXyL9SqMsHqhadrU7RWIyt9ipnI5VyxrGzcmiJhgoYfyZgIut3AcKFxI8GfdMLHdc9oizcE4Cmc_UHD6CXFMg-WoYnhg-PUs8VMjm9O6765DIZNd9vxLOhxUMZwQJMg0PF5GC_rlbiKazircQZdmeTcMcFRTT67z_difQF0HlX_xTC6g1c26OV0_5GwbK066bvS4SvRCFxI6hJDyCiGkRDK-wom2HU.eO7K0KDIKKKQYv67bxjZxabFHY899O_LryJjOuu2ZsI&dib_tag=se&keywords=light+panel+photography&qid=1727356121&sprefix=light+pane%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-4

[jnantz]

Soon I will be testing China LED panels

very good and inexpensive

Lay the negative directly on the panel

adjust color temp and power

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/P200-2500-6500K-Streaming-Conferencing-Photography/dp/B0C8TMP66L/ref=sr_1_4_pp?crid=RBTIE8QSLEVN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.iR2UsGdM9cTBzmXyL9SqMsHqhadrU7RWIyt9ipnI5VyxrGzcmiJhgoYfyZgIut3AcKFxI8GfdMLHdc9oizcE4Cmc_UHD6CXFMg-WoYnhg-PUs8VMjm9O6765DIZNd9vxLOhxUMZwQJMg0PF5GC_rlbiKazircQZdmeTcMcFRTT67z_difQF0HlX_xTC6g1c26OV0_5GwbK066bvS4SvRCFxI6hJDyCiGkRDK-wom2HU.eO7K0KDIKKKQYv67bxjZxabFHY899O_LryJjOuu2ZsI&dib_tag=se&keywords=light+panel+photography&qid=1727356121&sprefix=light+pane%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-4

exactly ! good luck with your testing, it will work loads better ... pretty soon we'll be doing slide scans the way they used to do it on a color Xerox machine ..., project > reflect off of aluminum foil ..

[ArtemF]

Lay the negative directly on the panel


it's very temping, but I believe that you'll get Newton rings patterns unless it will be a real glass-negative-glass assembly without any tiny gaps.

In any case, it would be nice to compare these results to a "standard" scan.

[Tin Can]

My office had the $20,000.00 XEROX

It could do everything


exactly ! good luck with your testing, it will work loads better ... pretty soon we'll be doing slide scans the way they used to do it on a color Xerox machine ..., project > reflect off of aluminum foil ..

ARTIC had bigger and better