Flextight X5 black line problem

[TNMark2]

Hi

I recently bought a Flextite X5 to scan a considerable number of large format negatives.

I figured out how to use it and have made about 250 scans on its counter.    Put one negative in to scan.   The is now a straight vertical line though the picture.  Tried a different negative, film holder etc.  same result.

I assume there is a speck of dust, etc on the light bar that the negative passes over which gives me this straight line.   As you may guess I’ve never taken one apart.   I clean camera sensors etc...

Is there a cleaning sheet of some kind I can run through it?  Can I put a swab (ie visible dust swab) in there with some sensor cleaner on it?    I see this as a small enough and common enough problem I shouldn’t have to box it up and send it to the factory.

Thanks for any suggestions...

Mark

[digitaldog]

Kind of sounds like dust. Now it's been a VERY long time since I owned various Imacon (Hasselblad) units but I recall it being pretty easy to do such kinds of service. You should be able to take the side door off and see inside the unit and if memory services, the CCD was behind a plastic film goodie that itself could and sometimes needed to be replaced. Or maybe that plastic goodie was on the lamp and it needed replacement, sorry I can't recall.
I think the old PDF I found could be helpful (see 5-2)
http://www.martinzimelka.com/homepage/Downloads/10%20FT848%20Service%20Manual.pdf

[George Marinos]

Have you found a solution Mark?

[TNMark2]

Problem solved.    I found the 848 service manual (in the second post  THANKS)...   Take the top cover off (velcroed on at bottom requires more of a pull than you may want to do).. Pull the bottom out and slide the cover up...  There is another flat cover behind that, grab it at the top of the machine and slide straight up. with the loading door on the front open.   Turn it on....  Once it boots up, you can look straight down and see the light.    Visible dust swab with lens cleaners and wipe across it....  Then you can do the lens which you will see in front of you.

Works great.  If you do a lot of scans, you need to clean it maybe every 400-600.  Takes about 3 minutes once you do it the first time.

THANKS

Mark