Topic: cleaning scanner glass

[formica]

what do you use to clean the glass on your scanner? my epson 4990 is overdue for a cleaning, any advice?

                   william

[Francois]

Calling Epson could be the safest bet...

I have read on another forum that plain liquid window glass cleaner doesn't damage the coating on the glass (I wouldn't be so sure about Bon Ami foam). Combined with an ultra soft microfiber cloth and you should be in business.

I know that's what I would do on mine...

[Skorj]

I use a good huff of breath and a soft cloth (regularly).

[moominsean]

the huff and buff doesn't seem to work, judging by your 665 scans, mark! on purpose, of course.

i use glass cleaner. taken it apart once to clean the mirrors, as it started to scan yellow.

[david b]

Picture framers often sell professional glass cleaner, which is very concentrated and doesn't contain any additives that might leave a trace behind.  A tiny, tiny bit of that on a microfibre cloth should suffice for most situations.

[Skorj]

the huff and buff doesn't seem to work, judging by your 665 scans, mark!

Damn! That's my problem!

[Karl]

I use standard household glass cleaner and a lint free cloth. It would be great if manufacturers could provide a cheap plastic cover to fit over thing like this, so if anyone from Epson is reading this suggest it at your next product meeting and perhaps your photo will be put up in the foyer   

[MarkBurley]

I use Isoproponal (Isoclene) which is in a spray format. I have used this stuff for years. It evaporates quickly and appearts to be pretty good if used with a lint free cloth.

I also clean computer screens and keyboards with the stuff. It has always done the trick for me.

Mark

[RandomHamster]

Hi William,

As you say you have an Epson 4990 can I pick your brains? I recently got one for scanning too but after lots of different tips and playing around Im still not sure what is the best way to scan film negs.  I dont like using the holders all the time as I want some of my Holga pics to show the film sprocket holes.  I have tried using a glass plate to hold the negs down but get neuton rings.  Can you give me any hints and tips as to how you scan your stuff?  what programme do yo uuse etc?
Fab blogsite my the way, really like your pics 
Tracey

[formica]

thanks for all the suggestions everyone. tracey, i'm not sure i use the best method for scanning. i use the epson software in conjunction with photoshop.  i use the film holders and have set up various formats(that's not the right word, but i can't seem to remember the correct word right now) for various cameras so i wouldn't have to re-do them each time i scan. i basically preview in thumbnail form, and highlight/select the proper size and then zoom and in the zoomed image i'll make sure the highlight is correct and adjust the contrast using the histogram and then hit scan when it seems acceptable.  i tried scanning directly on the glass but had such issues with newton rings that i now just scan 35mm(when i want the sprocket holes), 126 and 110 in the 120 holder and that seems to work better even if it's not perfect.  thanks for the compliments on the blog!

                    william

[RandomHamster]

Hi,
Thanks for your reply, Sounds like you are doing pretty much what I was trying but in more detail, I was leaving the contrast, histo etc till photoshop but prob be better off doing it on the scanner. Hadnt thought about doing the 35mm in 120 holder though, have to try that!  One thing a chap in an old fashioned camera shop did tell me though was to use Silverfast to scan rather than the epson prog.    He said it was set up better.  Haven't tried it yet though so cannt comment! Feel a day of re-scanning coming up!!! 

[formica]

if i'm not happy with the scan when i look at it again, i'll adjust the levels in photoshop as well. i tried silverfast, hated it and never bothered to use it again(i'm not even sure i still have it installed) though i know some people swear by it.

             william

[Francois]

I have an epson 4490 and exclusively use their software with no problem. You do have to work around a few of the quirks but it gets the job done. I too tried scanning 35mm in the 120 holder to include the sprocket holes in. It works fine except that you have to straighten the image in photoshop. I also do a basic adjustment from the driver and scan everything in 48bit mode. It gives me better color depth and makes histogram adjustments smoother.