[filmscanners] RE: SprintScan 4000 cleaning

["Cliff Ober" <cdober@ev1.net>]

Thomas,

I had seen that procedure when it was posted a while back. In my
judgment, access to the mirror in the SS4000 was not adequate to clean
it safely without at least some disassembly. Believe me, I did take
careful consideration before moving on to disassembly.

It's not necessary to disassemble the carrier mechanism - only remove it
intact from the chassis to gain access to the mirror from the bottom.
There's a metal spring clip that holds the mirror in place; it can be
removed easily if you can get at it. FWIW, the carrier can also be
partly disassembled without much risk. It's only mechanical parts, held
together primarily with screws.

For some folks this would be dicey to take on - I'm accustomed to
working with microelectronics and small mechanical devices, so I don't
have much discomfort with tackling a project like this. In the past few
years I've also successfully disassembled and cleaned several Nikon
lenses (55/2.8 MF Micro, 105/2.8 MF Micro, 35-70/3.5 AF zoom) and a
Tamron 300/2.8 lens. The Tamron was dropped in a lake when a very large
alligator crashed out of the brush and into the water about ten feet
from me as I was changing lenses. I nearly crapped my pants, both from
being startled by the 'gator, and then upon seeing where the lens went.
It took me an entire weekend to tear down and clean the lens, but it
had/has no permanent damage; I use it regularly.

Cliff




-----Original Message-----
From: filmscanners_owner@halftone.co.uk
[mailto:filmscanners_owner@halftone.co.uk] On Behalf Of Thomas Maugham
Sent: Friday, November 15, 2002 5:15 PM
To: cdober@ev1.net
Subject: [filmscanners] RE: SprintScan 4000 cleaning


This was posted a while ago on filmscanners (not by me) and I pass it
along for information. Frankly, I'd be very leary about disassembling
the carrier mechanism as that seems a bit dicey to me.  I think the
method described below is much safer and easier to do and should be
given careful consideratin before jumping in with screwdriver in hand.

Just my 2 cents...

-------------------------------------------------

Camera repairman says: first blow off any dust possible.  Next, flick
off any dust possible with VERY light strokes with a good brush (make
sure the brush does not have anything on it already)

The cleaning is accomplished with denatured alcohol.  this is also known
as shellac thinner.  IT IS NOT RUBBING ALCOHOL.  This product is widely
available at paint and hardware stores.

Use a tissue that is wetted with the denatured alcohol.  Using NO
PRESSURE WHATSOEVER, swipe the mirror with the alcohol soaked tissue.
THE LESS THE BETTER.  do not rub the surface.  Don't let this touch
plastic parts, and don't let it get behind the mirror.

this guy is the oldest living Leica factory trained repairman, or so he
says, and I believe him.  He was trained as a camera repairman by the
Army during WW2.  He owned a camera repair shop from the late 1940s
until recently, he is 83, and one of the most respected repairmen in the
region.

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