Nikon 8000 Scanner Failures
2002-12-08 by chris schiller
About a month ago I received my new Nikon 8000 scanner. At first I was delighted. The scanned images were wonderful. But soon the scanner started giving "film holder not recognized" errors. Trying other film holders gave the same result. The problem was intermittent. I could cycle power and it would work fine. But then the scanner started slipping and jerking the film holder as it initially scrolled it in, sometimes accompanied by errors, sometimes not. Soon it started slipping and grabbing during scans. The resultant scans showed that, obviously, the holder was left stationary and then slipped toward the correct position. Stationary, slip-clunk, stationary, slip-clunk. A slight pressure on the film holder was enough to overcome whatever trouble the scanner was having gripping the film holder. Soon, however, the scanner started making loud clunking noises as it "did its business" after the dust cover was slid open and closed. The film holder slipping and clunking got worse. Obviously there was a major problem. I called Nikon support, and very quickly they came to the conclusion there was a problem and told me to send it in for warrantee work. After 2 weeks! Fortunately Adorama let me send it back to them for an exchange ($70 shipping charges). I'd expect more from a $3000 instrument, and a Nikon too! So I received the new scanner yesterday (checking the serial number to make sure it was a different one!) From the first time I turned it on and tried to insert a film holder, I got the same problems! No manner of reinstalling the software, changing the firewire card, or recycling power would make it work without the same problems as the other scanner. They started as intermittent and then got worse, just like the first scanner. Then soon the loud clunking noises started. Precision optical instruments should not make loud, sharp clunking noises the first day you turn them on! Once is a possible rare assembly problem or defect. Twice is a trend. Has anyone else had these problems with a Nikon 8000? If Adorama will let me, I am going to exchange it for the Minolta Dimage. Perhaps Nikon has gone the way of HP: once producing products you could trust, and now just gluing a nameplate on something subcontracted to dodgy faceless companies somewhere. Chris _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus