Dust visible through viewfinder

[learjet035]

I see 2 fairly large spots when I look through my viewfinder to take a pic. I haven't been able to see them on any pics yet, but I just noticed them today. If I see them through the camera, does this mean that it's not on the sensor? I took the lens off, put on a different one and it was still there, so it's in the camera somewhere. I used the hurricane blower to blow in there pretty good, and locked up the mirror just incase. I also cleaned the viewfinder. What should I do? Thanks all.

[Jackal]

If you see them through the viewfinder they are definately not on your sensor. They're most likely on the focus point plate thingy (I forgot the proper name).

I had 2 spots stuck on it and after blowing on that part with a blower it dislodged one of them. The other I have to live with and I named him "Greg"

Don't bother locking up the mirror. You're just exposing the sensor when it doesn't need to be. :)

[learjet035]

Hmmm, I thought it was the focus plate "thingy" =) Anyone know how to clean this? Thanks Jackal

[Andy_T]

Even more ... don't touch the mirror, if it does not have to be!
Do NOT use any liquids on it !

I remember a very recent post of a fellow user here who scratched her mirror by touching it softly with a q-tip :shock:

Worse than that, if you push it out of alignment, then your AF might not work properly any longer.

Best regards,
Andy

[robertwgross]

I used the hurricane blower to blow in there pretty good, and locked up the mirror just incase.

If you think about it, locking up the mirror is exactly the thing not to do if you are trying to blow dust from the focus screen. Locking up the mirror is correct if you are going after the sensor, but that is a different thing.

---Bob Gross---

[learjet035]

Thanks for all the warnings, I would be the one to bust out the q-tip. I looked at the "focus thingy" (thanks Jackal for the term) and blasted away with the blower. It's all clear, for now. So, thanks again. Until next time...

[mdm]

Don't touch a thing till you look at all the info you can about it. Try a rocket blower to to knock some dust off. Don't decide to get a big breath of air and blow in there. You will cause some problems.

[CyberPet]

I used a rubber blower (size large, to get more air) and blew away some dust on my focusing matte (or whatever you call that frosty looking thing). Works great. :D

[Medic1]

Be very careful when blowing off the focusing screen......sometimes the dust can go onto the shutter and then from there onto your sensor.....then thats an entirely bigger problem.

Glad to see it worked in this situation though

[CyberPet]

Well, I did clean the sensor afterwards... so if it had come dust there I removed it (same technique, using the rubber bulb blower).

[learjet035]

someone should invent a sterile way to change lenses....someday
I want a cut if anyone thinks of a way to do this =)