How do you clean your viewfinder?

[kwang0429]

So I am looking through my camera trying to focus, I noticed that there are lots of dust and lints on the inside part of it, so I took the lens off and tried to clean it ( where it's located is a tough position to reach "on the top of the camera where your focus points are positioned" ) is there an easier way to clean that area?

thanks.

[tim]

The dust can be in a few places: on/in the viewfinder, on the mirror, or on the lens. Where is yours?

[kwang0429]

The dust can be in a few places: on/in the viewfinder, on the mirror, or on the lens. Where is yours?

it;s on the viewfinder, where it's located on the top of the inside mechanism..... ( where the focus points are )

[Ogrt48]

Its most likely on the focus mirror.. just leave it.. live with it.. I learned the hard way. Lets just say I have a new one from canon parts nj. coming in the mail. *cries*

[kwang0429]

Its most likely on the focus mirror.. just leave it.. live with it.. I learned the hard way. Lets just say I have a new one from canon parts nj. coming in the mail. *cries*


:(

[Ogrt48]

You're sad now.. just try cleaning the inside focus mirror.. then you'll be sad..
*cries*

[kwang0429]

You're sad now.. just try cleaning the inside focus mirror.. then you'll be sad..
*cries*

I did clean it, how did you break it? did you use too much force? but there are still lints on it :(

[Ogrt48]

theres scratches and smears all over it.. even after i used a method on dpreview eveyone said works great. http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=9871340
No way to get scratches out.. I just hope I can get my new one when it comes in fine without screwing it up too

[kwang0429]

theres scratches and smears all over it.. even after i used a method on dpreview eveyone said works great. http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=9871340
No way to get scratches out.. I just hope I can get my new one when it comes in fine without screwing it up too

just out of curiosity, how much did you pay? and what did you use to clean?

[Ogrt48]

I used the soapy water like everyone else there did. =\ and a qtip for a smear, didn't think a qtip would scratch the hell out of it
Canon charged $11.something for the focus scree, state sales tax ( they said they charge tax in every state) plus $5.00 shipping for that tiny plastic piece haha.

[Tom Reid]

Compressed can of air will blow the dust out. Just make sure to keep the can upright otherwise the propellant may give the mirror frostbite!!

Do it carefully, not full force. If you can get someone to help have them hold the nozzle of a vacuum a few inches away as you spray the air.

[Ogrt48]

I've read never ever used compressed air inside a camera..

[Tom Reid]

Yes I know. Me too. Then one day in a photo course we were taught how to do it....CAREFULLY....and if you are really patient (a trait in all photographers right??) it can be done without damage. The key is gentle shots of air. In other words, don't squeeze the trigger all the way.


There are compressed air kits out there that are sold with the sensor cleaning swabs. Apparently they only contain air, not propellants. Not sure who makes them.

[tim]

Compressed air: bad idea.
Removing parts of your camera: bad idea.

Are you talking about the mirror that sits in front of the shutter? I use eclipse and pec pads and wipe it VERY, VERY gently after I clean my sensor. Works every time. Well, sometimes I have to do it twice.

[SkipD]

The truth about those cans of "compressed air" is that they don't contain air at all. What's in them is a liquid that vaporizes when you push the button. It is usually something like butane. Just read the cans - almost always flammable.

There's no way to package any significant amount of real compressed air in a sheet-metal can. That kind of can will not contain the pressure required for highly compressed air.

[Ogrt48]

Nah not the mirror, the focus screen is up inside the camera by the view finder..
Everything must be perfect and there was something on it.. I had to try and fix it =\
I hate having everything must be perfect.. =\

[kwang0429]

Nah not the mirror, the focus screen is up inside the camera by the view finder..
Everything must be perfect and there was something on it.. I had to try and fix it =\
I hate having everything must be perfect.. =\

yup, I thiNK I scratched alittle as well, on the focus screen, do you have an idea how to swap it out? if so can you share? thanks.

[Ogrt48]

ya i took it out to clean it.. http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=9871340

[kwang0429]

ya i took it out to clean it.. http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=9871340

if you can take pics for step by step DIY, I am pretty sure people will be very appreciated! I know I would!

[mbze430]

not sure on the non-1 Series. but after reading the post, it sound "similar" on taking the focusing screen off.

[Ogrt48]

er I'm scared enough putting the new one in so sorry no pics.. atleast i found out how to have a clean focus screen ... buy a new one =)

[Ogrt48]

Well heres a photo of my old focus screen.. new one came today and I had it in in less than 5 minutes.. theres still a few specs up there in the view finder behind the focus screen but i'm leaving them.. blowing air up there just makes it worse.. besides two or 3 little specs i can see fine now.. i dont even notice them most of the time
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattsOnlyHope/focusscreen.jpg

[eosster]

Rocket blower....

[Ogrt48]

...doesn't get between the viewfinder and the focus screen...