Cleaning Nikon LS-2000 mirror (and maybe lens)

[David Dyer-Bennet]

I've found a couple of web pages with disassembly information that
shows me what I'll be facing if I decide to risk this myself.

I'm wondering how many people have actually done it themselves?
Anybody have good or bad anecdotes? The alternative I guess is
sending it to Nikon for a while -- and sending them quite a bit of
money. On the up side, I could perhaps have the strip film handler
repaired at the same time -- it doesn't seem to work on strips over 4
negatives long recently.

I believe Eclipse fluids and PecPads or sensor-cleaning swabs would be
an adequately safe method of cleaning the mirror (I'm presuming it's a
front-surface mirror and hence needs great care in cleaning). Anybody
think those are bad tools for the job?

(<http://www.vad1.com/photo/dirty-scanner/ls2000-cleaning/> seems to
be the main page telling how to do this yourself; if anybody thinks
these instructions are dangerous, or has better ones, please let me
know!)

 

[Kennedy McEwen]

I've found a couple of web pages with disassembly information that
shows me what I'll be facing if I decide to risk this myself.

I'm wondering how many people have actually done it themselves?

Yes - it is worthwhile after a couple of years typical use.

Anybody have good or bad anecdotes?

Unless you want a lot of practice repeating the procedure of
disassembling, adjusting the lens position, reassembling and test
scanning, do *NOT* under *ANY* circumstances move the lens or the CCD
assembly! Some Nikon scanners have the lens held in position by sticky
tape! Take it from me, it is a nightmare to get back in the correct
position. Clean the outer lens elements in situ - don't try to access
the inner surfaces. If you think they need cleaning then it needs a
full Nikon service - or a replacement scanner. Most of the dust will be
on the mirrors and outer lens surfaces anyway.

When you finally do put it all back together, spend some loose change on
a dust cover to extend the time till its next strip down as much as
possible.

 

[David Dyer-Bennet]

Yes - it is worthwhile after a couple of years typical use.

There's absolutely no question mine needs cleaning. Desperately. Not
only do I have really *bad* bloom, but I *also* tore it down far
enough to see the dust on one of the mirrors.

Unless you want a lot of practice repeating the procedure of
disassembling, adjusting the lens position, reassembling and test
scanning, do *NOT* under *ANY* circumstances move the lens or the CCD
assembly! Some Nikon scanners have the lens held in position by
sticky tape! Take it from me, it is a nightmare to get back in the
correct position. Clean the outer lens elements in situ - don't try
to access the inner surfaces. If you think they need cleaning then it
needs a full Nikon service - or a replacement scanner. Most of the
dust will be on the mirrors and outer lens surfaces anyway.

Ah, good thing to be careful about!

When you finally do put it all back together, spend some loose change
on a dust cover to extend the time till its next strip down as much as
possible.

Yes, I'd started to realize that sitting there with the blower running
wasn't the right state, especially given my usual housekeeping.

 

[dusty]

Can't help you with the Nikon LS-2000, but I had limited success in
trying to clean the mirror on a Polaroid scanner. The mirror is so
buried that it is impossible to apply a cleaner on it. I ended up using
a pair of tweezers to remove a piece of lint on it, and the blooms are
reduced somewhat. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[David Blanchard]

I've found a couple of web pages with disassembly information that
shows me what I'll be facing if I decide to risk this myself.

I'm wondering how many people have actually done it themselves?
Anybody have good or bad anecdotes? The alternative I guess is
sending it to Nikon for a while -- and sending them quite a bit of
money. On the up side, I could perhaps have the strip film handler
repaired at the same time -- it doesn't seem to work on strips over 4
negatives long recently.

I have an LS-2000 and was prepared to break down the entire system to
get at all the parts for a thorough cleaning...only I couldn't easily
remove one of the retaining screws. I decided that was a warning and
backed off.

Instead, I simply cleaned the mirror that was at least partially
visible. Using extreme care and a light touch, I used q-tips to
gently remove the dust and then used compressed air to remove the
rest. Use caution with the compressed air because you don't want to
hit the mirror with too hard a blast.

I do this cleaning about once per year and it does help. I also keep
the scanner turned off and covered when not in use.

Hmmm...I think it's about time for the annual cleaning again.

David