Did I make a big mistake??

[jojo77]

I got a Drebel and I had this dust particle everytime I looked in my viewfinder so I took of the lens and wiped the mirror and the white square above it with a lens tissue. Was I not supposed to do this? :oops: Now I got more dust particles on that white square up top and a smudge from my print on my mirror. Damn what can I do? Can I use lens cleaner to clean the mirror or no?!?

[jcsorensen]

Oops. Sorry to say it, but the white square above it is the focusing screen and it is extremely fragile and the only recommendation I have ever seen is leave it alone and don't touch it. Even the lightest touch of a lens brush will scratch it. The mirror should be cleanable with care.

[jojo77]

so what are my options? can I send it to Canon to get it replaced? I bought the extra warranty when I got the camera at BeachCamera.com. Do you think they would fix it for me? Ugghh I'm dumb

[drisley]

Jojo77,
I did the exact same thing once too.
Then I discovered that I really shouldnt have. In the end I took it to a local camera repair store to have a small hair removed from the focusing screen. That was about 2 months ago, and everything has been fine (knock on wood).

Curious, can pecpads and eclipse be used on the mirror?

[timmyquest]

The mirror should be cleanable with care.

I use to think this too, but i later learned (from these boards) never to touch the mirror either. It isnt something that will affect the actual photos but it can be a pain in the butt.

[jcsorensen]

The focus screen should be replaceable. With higher end SLRs, the user can change these out, but with the D Rebel I'd guess you'd need to sent it for repair--an I doubt your warranty covers user Oops's. They'd be able to clean the mirror for you too.

I guess the good news is that neither of your oops's will affect your camera's ability to take pictures--just affects what you see in the view finder.

Wish I had better news to offer.

[DReb-MO]

I got a Drebel and I had this dust particle everytime I looked in my viewfinder so I took of the lens and wiped the mirror and the white square above it with a lens tissue. Was I not supposed to do this? :oops: Now I got more dust particles on that white square up top and a smudge from my print on my mirror. Damn what can I do? Can I use lens cleaner to clean the mirror or no?!?

What did it do to the pictures? An effect.

[jojo77]

What did it do to the pictures? An effect.

nothing i don't think. but lots of dust in viewfinder