Dust specs already on my viewfinder? (Digital Rebel)

[FlipsidE]

As a lot of you all probably already know, I recently bought a Digital Rebel. Well, I haven't taken the lens off in a couple of days now. All of a sudden, while taking some shots of the begining of sunrise this morning, I notice a couple of dust specs on the viewfinder (didn't show up on the pictures at all). So, I take it up to a local camera shop in hopes that they can tell me what it is. It seems that SLR's in general have this problem. Eventually, dust somehow gets up inside the camera to settle in on the back of viewfinder...at least that's what the guy at the camera shop said. He, also, told me that his film SLR has a lot more of those dust specs than mine does.

Now, this is understandable and it does set my mind at ease, but I've only had this camera since Sunday. Should they be appearnig this early? The guy at the shop also told me that the only way to get those out would be to take it for a "repair" cleaning. He couldn't do it at that shop.

I bought this camera from Best Buy with a four year extended warranty. And, if I remember correctly, the warranty also covers unlimited cleanings during that four year period. So, should I try getting a cleaning from Best Buy? Or should I just learn to live with these things as they do happen?

Thanks in advance

FlipsidE

[timmyquest]

If you've never owned an SLR my advise would be the latter. If you get it cleaned they will only return. Eventually you will not even remember they are there.

On the other hand, it is rather new, but i'd have to see how much dust there really is before i told you to deal with best buy.

[FlipsidE]

New to SLR's...yes. It's two specs. One fairly small and the other is more noticable (seems a bit more elongated). Nothing that would get in the way of framing a shot...just more an annoyance.

FlipsidE

[Sugrat]

Before you send it to best buy for the cleaning (which they send to a 3rd party), you should go to the dpreview 300D forum and do a search about cleaning.

Some of the members there have had some issues with best buy's cleaning company to the point where they damage the shutter and the camera needs to be replaced.

But in the same hand, I'm sure there's members out there that have had no problems with that cleaning company but you may want to look at the forum.

Also, if the camera is new and you have a canon service center near you, you may want to call them and see if you can get a cleaning. It will be done there and then, about 15-20 minutes and most of the time it's free of charge (if under warranty).

Just my input.

[FlipsidE]

I know this may sound like kind of a stupid question, but where can I look for a Canon service shop? Does Canon have them listed on their site? I went by a local camera shop (Wolf Camera & Video), and they weren't willing to clean the camera for me. They told me that it'd have to be sent in for repair :?:

Anyway, I'm not sure if there are Canon service centers near me. I live in a fairly large city (60,000+ residents). So, I figure we'd have to have one...just need to know where to look. Unfortunately, I don't have any phonebooks here at work or at home, so I can't search the yellow pages.

Thanks

FlipsidE

[psychedelic_never]

Hi FlipsidE, as far as i can understand the problem you have is that the viewfinder mirror is dirty which is difficult to clean, and it won't affect the picture quality, so if you can't find any Canon service stations around i guess it would be a good idea to use the camera as it is if the dust moves from the mirror to the sensor then good cos you'd be able to clean it yourself without much risk. :lol:

[FlipsidE]

Just called Wolf Camera once again, and they, once again, informed me that dust behind the viewfinder is considered a repair as the viewfinder itself would have to be replaced.

Seeing that it is in essense "broken," I could take it back to best buy for a full exchange. But, as I've heard (from you all and one of the guys at Wolf), all SLR's get that dust built up behind the viewfinder. It just happens.

This is one of those tricky questions...a two day old camera with dust behind the viewfinder. Is it worth being w/out for a few days while Wolf sends it off to get it "repaired?" Should I just live with it? Or should I take it back to best buy for an exchange?

FlipsidE

[FlipsidE]

Actually, I don't believe it's on the mirror. I could get the camera cleaned if it was on the mirror. Unfortunately, this is right behind the viewfinder which, according to Wolf, is a repair and not a cleaning issue as the viewfinder would have to be replaced.

Edit: To be honest, the guy at Wolf Camera did not seem surprised, at all, by those dust marks. He let me know that his film SLR has a lot more of those dust spots/specs than my Dreb.

Thanks

FlipsidE

[pmarz]

First I would not believe a thing anyone from Wolf camera says. The Best Buy warranty is great but when they cleaned my camera it came back with more dust on it than my grandmother's couch from the 1930's. The good news is they replaced the camera. The dust is probably on the mirror or focusing sreen.

[FlipsidE]

Let me ask this question then. I'm not sure I follow this at all. I have not changed the lens since Sunday. I haven't taken it off for any reason. Those specs/spots appeared just this morning. How'd they all of a sudden end up there when they haven't been there yet. When it comes to things I've spent this much money on, I pay very very close attention to detail. So, I'm sure they weren't there before this morning. The inside of the camera has been sealed since Sunday though. How'd they get there?

Thanks

FlipsidE

[FlipsidE]

The one thing I really do like about the Best Buy warranty is that, if anything was to go wrong with the camera, it can be replaced at any time no questions asked.

FlipsidE

[Jon]

The shutter/mirror chamber is thoroughly sealed (needs to be to be light-tight), but not perfectly air tight. The porro-prism, however, is less well sealed, as light leaks there won't adversely affect the picture. This is, if not by design, a design consideration (closer tolerances might improve light-tightness, but wouldn't add anything to the utility of the camera).

Because the camera's not air-tight, changes in atmospheric pressure, either systemic or localized (even from wind pressure), will cause the camera to "breathe". If the pressure inside the camera decreases, the entering air may bring some dust with it.

In addition, if the camera or components were outside a full clean-room environment during the assembly process, they might have collected some dust during the process. As the camera was used, moved around, and subject to vibration, some of this might have shaken loose, settling on the nearest available surface.

[FlipsidE]

^^^

That makes perfect sense. So, as long as it doesn't affect framing a shot or the picture itself, I probably shouldn't worry about it...is that correct?

Edit: I would assume that, even if you try pretty hard to keep it out of a dusty atmosphere when changing lenses, you can't be absolutely certain that no dust got in.

Thanks

FlipsidE

[Jon]

Right, if it's not affecting the picture, and it's not obstructing the viewfinder objectionably, don't worry about it. It'll only get worse, anyway.