Particle stuck on the inside of my viewfinder

[mikestorm]

I don't know how it happend, as I've never opened the camera before, but looking through my viewfinder, there's a small particle stuck right in the center on the INSIDE of the camera.

I'm too afraid to open the camera. Has anyone opened their camera for any reason? It obviously doesn't affect any pictures but it is anoying as hell, as my eye focuses ON the particle instead of looking though it to the object I'm photographing.

[stopbath]

I've had a small particle in my finder from day one of getting the camera. Big deal. If I plan on looking at it, yes, it's there, but normally I know it's just there and ignore it.

If you want to send it in, (and be without the camera for a few weeks) by all means send it in.

Myself, I would rather take pictures than worry about some little thing like that and send it in when (if) it really needs it.

[jojo77]

are you sure it's not on your mirror? I had something stuck on my 300d and cleaned my lens and it was still there, so I took of the lens and blew the mirror and it was cleaned.

[mikestorm]

I'm sorry; I should have specified. I have an S45 (nonremovable lens). There is no way to remove the particle without physically opening the camera.

This particle looks like a small splinter, and extends about 8%-10% of the length of the viewfinder, right in the center. That being said, to me it is a big deal. I have to force my eye to not focus on the particle each time I look through the viewfinder.

I'm also well aware I can send the camera in for servicing, but again, that's not what I asked. I asked if anyone had ever opened their S30, S40 S45, or S50 camera for any reason, and if its worth it for someone like me (i.e. absolutely no camera repair experience) to attempt it.

[stopbath]

I'm sorry; I should have specified. I have an S45 (nonremovable lens). There is no way to remove the particle without physically opening the camera.

This particle looks like a small splinter, and extends about 8%-10% of the length of the viewfinder, right in the center. That being said, to me it is a big deal. I have to force my eye to not focus on the particle each time I look through the viewfinder.

I'm also well aware I can send the camera in for servicing, but again, that's not what I asked. I asked if anyone had ever opened their S30, S40 S45, or S50 camera for any reason, and if its worth it for someone like me (i.e. absolutely no camera repair experience) to attempt it.It's not worth voiding the warranty for an obstruction in the finder. Given the size (10%) of the speck, I would send it in. Also if you attempt to do this yourself, you risk damaging the camera beyond repair (if something is not put back together or taken apart correctly.) If you even touch the wrong part, static electicity in your body can destroy a chip. Leave taking it apart when doing so has little chance of making things worse (ie camera does not work at all).