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Nikon LS-2000 transparency scanner
I left the cover open on my Nikon LS-2000 transparency scanner for some time. I scanned a slide and the quality was terrible. After figuring out the problem, that there was a ton of dust caked on the mirror, I decided to disassemble the scanner to clean it up. It was too dirty simply to use a cotton swab or Q-Tip to clean the mirror, so I had to take it completely apart. Of course, I enjoyed it thoroughly and learned how the scanner worked in the process (more or less). Here are some photos with the scanner apart. The images are actually quite a bit bigger than what you see. Right click on an image, click Save Picture As... and save the image to your hard drive to view the image full size.
This is the casing of the scanner. The "transport mechanism" fits into the empty space on the left. The electronics on the right are the core electronics and power supply for the scanner.
Another shot of the electronics, from the other side.
This circuit board is also a prime part of the electronics of the scanner. It is about the same size at the whole scanner—that would be around 5" x 12", or so. You can see the SCSI connector on the lower right, and the connector where the ribbon cable connects the circuit board to the scanner, just to the right of center, along the top.
This is the transport mechanism, removed from the framework, or case. Toward the back, on top, is the LED light source which emits the light which shines through the film. It shines toward the front, though the two pieces of glass, bounces of the 45° angle on the front piece of glass, and down through the open area below, which is where the film sits. The light then shines down through the opening after passing through the film, bounces off a 45° mirror, shines through a lens, and is picked up by a...something or other. Not sure what senses the light.
The spring along the bottom and the motor on the bottom at the front, control the movement of the transport as it moves over the film. The LED and lenses on top, and the mirror, lens, and CCD (or whatever) along the bottom area are all attached to the black carriage which moves forward and backward along the chassis. The carriage begins approximately where it is in the photo, and moves toward the front of the chassis as it scans the film. That same entire carriage also moves up and down to achieve focus. Before the scan begins, that's the racket you hear for every scan. The carriage moves up and down as it works on focusing on the film.
This is the mirror on the bottom before I cleaned it. Toward the right is the front of the scanner. The light bounces off this mirror after passing through the film, and reflects to the left (rear) through the lens before being read by the CCD.
After cleaning the lens.
All images copyright Jay Philip Williams