[filmscanners] SS4000 fixes to improve quality

["HPA" <tom@historicphotoarchive.com>]

Something to check is how much dust gets on the mirror underneath the slide
inside the scanner.  The scanner of course has no doors to keep it
dust-free.  I popped the top off (four catches on the bottom) and found some
dust on the optical mirror (looks like the mirror in your average SLR
camera).  I have a high quality air compressor (it is a medical breathing
unit from a thrift store, which has no oil in the chambers, perfect for
photography) and blew it out real good.

The mirror of course hinges while scanning, so I turned it on with the lid
removed, and pressed the power button, which sends it through a cycle.  As
soon as the mirror was fully exposed, i unplugged the power cord.  This is
when I was able to best get at the mirror with the compressor hose.

I didn't particularly notice a halo, but i did notice a huge improvement in
general optical quality.

Of course now I use a pillowcase as a dust cover.

Tom Robinson

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