Nikon Coolscan slide scanner working, inside look

The Nikon Coolscan V (LS-50) in this video is part of the Legendary Nikon Coolscan series - some of the best slide scanners ever made.
The Coolscan IV ( LS-40 ), Coolscan 4000 ( LS-4000) and the Coolscan 5000 ( LS-5000 ) are very similar inside to the Coolscan V ( LS-50 ) shown in this video.
What makes Nikon Scanners better than many other scanners is the 7 Lens ED glass optical unit, and the individual focusing on each slide.
Most other slide scanners have fixed focus, and lower quality optics.
Nikon Coolscan Dias Scanner

[@jonathanjo7106]

Very informative, thanks

[@datanordscanservice1803]

Thank you!

[@tassadar1977]

Best scanner ever imho.

[@AntoniosPapantoniou]

that's cool, thanks for that

[@yannisdrakoulidis6691]

I have a question regarding scan settings. When I preview and I have the box for autoexposure (negative film) unchecked, my previews appear with blown out highlights. But only sometimes. it does this in a random manner. Have you encountered this before? Also, Is there a recommended way to scan? Asking because sometimes almost identical frames have different colour balance when previewed with the autoexposure setting on. thanks in advance

[@datanordscanservice1803]

I do not know this problem. But you should set the white point to 0.1 not 1 as default or you will get blown out highlights. Check my suggested settings here www.datanord.dk/tips-tricks/nikon-coolscan-vuescan-settings/ I can also recommend the faceboiok group "Nikon Coolscan users".

[@davidedwards8480]

How do you even open one up? I removed 6 or 7 tiny screws in the back, and nothing came loose or moved. I want to repair mine, or at least have a look inside to see what's wrong with it.

[@datanordscanservice1803]

Remember the screws under the rubber feet.

[@iM-mf1ke]

Does it matter in quality if the scanner is laying on its side or standing up?

[@datanordscanservice1803]

No

[@rickhiebert7352]

Does anyone have an MA-21 adapter for sale? I just purchased the V ED scanner but it's missing this adaptor for slides.

[@datanordscanservice1803]

Try Ebay or the facebook group "Nikon Coolscan users". You can also use MA-20 which is cheaper

[@firelensman]

My older slides have a tough time scanning sharp unless I uncheck the self cleaning software program. Then I have to go back and clean it up manually in photoshop. Is this only me?

[@firelensman]

@Pete Melon I don't understand the question, the program that came with the scanner in the box. Nikon Coolscan 4000.

[@firelensman]

@Pete Melon Thanks for the heads up. I'll do some research...

[@datanordscanservice1803]

If it is glass slides clean them on the outside, or better use new frames without glass.

[@lorenzopirocca]

Hi, I have a question, is there a big difference between the Nikon IV ED and the 4000ED ? I know it's 2900 dpi vs 4000 dpi, but I don't know if it makes sense to spend 400 when I can buy the IV ED for 250. Thank you for helping

[@datanordscanservice1803]

There are some differences. Nikon 4000 is firewire, Nikon IV is USB. So you need a firewire connection for the Nikon 4000. 2900 dpi = 10M pixels in the picture. 4000 dpi = 20M. Most good negatives and slides have around 10M dpi data. Very sharp pictures from good SLR camera can have op to 20M pixels. The Nikon 4000 is a little faster. The Nikon 4000 can use the SF-200 slide feeder. This is good if you need to scan many slides. Here you can see some samples made with the Nikon IV www.datanord.dk/udlejning/

[@21jlxi]

This explains all those awful noises. Good to know it's not just my one. Anyone know how to run the Nikon software on new Macs?

[@datanordscanservice1803]

You can use Vuescan instead or I can recommend the facebook group "Nikon Coolscan users" facebook.com/groups/1514948298527146

[@21jlxi]

@@datanordscanservice1803 Thanks I'll check it out.

[@sleake1000]

After cleaning the mirror on my CS 5000 the film scans appear way out of focus and have this double image look. Something seems misaligned. Mirror cleaning was pretty straight forward. Ideas before I open it back up again?

[@datanordscanservice1803]

You have inserted the mirror wrong way up.

[@sleake1000]

@@datanordscanservice1803 Ok, I plan to open the scanner back up later today and take a look. Thanks

[@sleake1000]

Hi -I open my CS 5000 back up removed the mirror yet I cannot with my old eyes under magnification determine the coating that I understated is on one side or on part of one side?? Could you expand on your previous comment which was a relief to me as I had suspected I damaged to the scanner. Basically I cannot determine the correct orientation of the mirror - when I cleaned it before I cleaned both sides thus wiping away the marks left by dust/crud on the copper colored bracket which would have served as a way of determining the correct orientation...Thanks for yours and any other help from a subscriber - Ready to get back to scanning. Thought I was just getting rid of dust showing up on scans of film just dried and taken directly to scanner. Some particles I assumed were dust were larger than just specks so it's very possible something else needs cleaning but for now just want to get back to the point I was before cleaning the mirror....Thanks!

[@sleake1000]

I got it done!

[@datanordscanservice1803]

@@sleake1000 I can also recommend this facebook group facebook.com/groups/1514948298527146

[@josephtoreno6646]

I wish I could get mine to work on my Windows 10 computer but I can't resolve the driver issue. I tried the VueScan driver but it didn't work.

[@datanordscanservice1803]

Here are some tips about installing Nikon Scan on Windows 10 www.datanord.dk/tips-tricks/nikon-scan-software-for-nikon-coolscan-installation-and-settings/

[@pearlmax]

Oh good that god awful grinding noise is normal.

[@datanordscanservice1803]

The sound is from the stepper motor, it is quite normal. In this case it is sounds louder because the case is open and it stands directly on the table. By placing it on a soft surface you can make the sound less noisy.