My Epson Scanner is producing weird, noisy, solarized scans of my transparencies. Help?

July 13, 2010 11:51 AM

My Epson Scanner is producing weird, noisy, solarized scans of my transparencies. Help?

I have an Epson Perfection 4490 Photo scanner. I am scanning some color positive transparent film from 120s.

So far it has worked once


but since then (without changing any settings at all) all I get are these

posted by Senor Cardgage to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

Can we assume you've done the usual power-cycle and plug/unplug the cable?
posted by Thorzdad at 12:08 PM on July 13, 2010

Response by poster: Yeah.
posted by Senor Cardgage at 12:22 PM on July 13, 2010

Best answer: Are you using ICE? According to this, ICE only works with C41 and may cause problems otherwise.

You could also check to make sure the holes on the holder aren't blocked - you can get some odd behaviour if they are.
posted by Gortuk at 12:47 PM on July 13, 2010

Response by poster: Oh. Hmm. No ICE.
Which holes should I worry about?
posted by Senor Cardgage at 12:53 PM on July 13, 2010

Best answer: On the 120 tray there are 3 small holes in a triangle near the top of the insert (closest to the scanner hinge). Make sure your negative isn't overhanging these or you'll get color problems and lines on the scan. It's a real pain if you're trying to scan longer panoramas.

Also, maybe obvious but don't forget to take the white insert out of the top of the scanner (which you normally leave in when scanning paper/photos).
posted by Gortuk at 1:19 PM on July 13, 2010

Response by poster: THE TINY HOLES!

Thanks Gortuk!

Everything is fixed forever!!!!!!
posted by Senor Cardgage at 1:25 PM on July 13, 2010