Scratched 5d Mark III focusing screen

While trying to use a rocket blower on it, I accidentally touched it with the blower, leading a massive 1-2 cm scratch on it. This is the white plastic I am talking about and not the mirror. I knew that thing was extremely easy to scratch and I was very careful, but I guess not enough.

Does anyone know if I can replace this myself and if not how much would Canon charge me for it? Or should I take to an authorized Canon repair shop?

I did a quick ebay search and came up with lots of hits for the OEM focus screen:

http://www.ebay.com …screen&_sacat=0​&_from=R40

I know Canon says this screen is not "replaceable" but why the heck do they sell the part for it?

I know some bodies have a user replaceable screen, my 7D does not. However... when I bought this body the focus screen was littered with dust and one small hair, so in I went. A little time on Google, a small phillips screwdriver, and few deep breaths resulted in a nice clean focus screen after about 10 minutes.

Do some research and decide for yourself if you feel confident in attempting the replacement. If not, a local repair shop will probably be your most economical solution.

Please wait for other opinions as I'm known for taking things apart on a whim, so far its worked for me but you can never be sure.

EDIT: Give this a watch

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=HttFBeF2K3c

This will let you see what is involved in changing a screen. This guy does not use one designed for the body, I'd avoid doing that if I was you. Get one that fits.

Humble Photographer wrote in post #16239553
While trying to use a rocket blower on it, I accidentally touched it with the blower, leading a massive 1-2 cm scratch on it. This is the white plastic I am talking about and not the mirror. I knew that thing was extremely easy to scratch and I was very careful, but I guess not enough.

Does anyone know if I can replace this myself and if not how much would Canon charge me for it? Or should I take to an authorized Canon repair shop?

I did a quick ebay search and came up with lots of hits for the OEM focus screen:

http://www.ebay.com …screen&_sacat=0​&_from=R40

I know Canon says this screen is not "replaceable" but why the heck do they sell the part for it?

I looked online and did a bit of research and from what I can conclude, while there may be optional focusing screens available on line, the OEM screen does not seem to be available. Further the full blown optional screen seems very involved to install. Additionally, the ones I saw on ebay seem to show simple screens similar to those installed on the 5D II, and are probably not compatible with the Mark III regardless of what they are saying. I would be very cautious. From what I read on several forums, you may have no choice but to send it in to Canon for repair.

One more link, this is the same procedure for me with my 7D. Both bodies the 7D and the 5DmkIII have a transmissive LCD screen, this is probably why there is no user changeable screen.

http://www.focusingscr​een.com/work/5d3en.htm

Richard N wrote in post #16239630
I know some bodies have a user replaceable screen, my 7D does not. However... when I bought this body the focus screen was littered with dust and one small hair, so in I went. A little time on Google, a small phillips screwdriver, and few deep breaths resulted in a nice clean focus screen after about 10 minutes.

Do some research and decide for yourself if you feel confident in attempting the replacement. If not, a local repair shop will probably be your most economical solution.

Please wait for other opinions as I'm known for taking things apart on a whim, so far its worked for me but you can never be sure.

EDIT: Give this a watch

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=HttFBeF2K3c

This will let you see what is involved in changing a screen. This guy does not use one designed for the body, I'd avoid doing that if I was you. Get one that fits.

It jury rigged and as you said would probably void the warranty. Further, he wanted a screen to use specifically for manual focus. Its not even close to being an OEM replacement of the original. I'm afraid the OP may be out of luck on this one.

It looks fairly easy to change,Here a link is with pictures.

BrettLu wrote in post #16239697
It looks fairly easy to change,Here a link is with pictures.

Your definition of fairly easy and mine are quite different. Changing a focus screen in a 5D II or a 50D/60D is fairly easy for anyone but the butterfingered. But the procedure for doing it on a 5DIII is extensive with a number of steps, relatively complicated with some dis-assembly required, and fraught with various possibilities for greater damage. The OP scratched the original just by using a blower to clean it. If h tries to fix it himself and fails it will then probably cost even more for Canon to finish the job and would probably void the entire warranty, assuming its still in effect. Plus the link did not seem to indicate where and for how much an OEM replacement part could be obtained. If I was th OP, I would bite the bullet, accept the inevitable and let the experts take care of it.

The procedure for changing the screen in a 5DIII and a 7D are identical, 2 screws to remove, 1 piece to remove and a simple spring clip holding in the screen. I've removed mine, cleaned it, and reassembled it in about 10 minutes.

For anyone with the confidence to try and some steady hands, it can be done. It's not extensive, or relatively complicated, and the disassemble is minimal

The hardest part is getting a screen intended for the 5DIII.

EDIT: To the OP, if you have any doubts what so ever... take it to a shop or send it to Canon.

Mine is scratched by my rocket blower. same exact crap happen to me.

Fixing to order a precision however mine is a tool less swap.

Richard N wrote in post #16239778
The procedure for changing the screen in a 5DIII and a 7D are identical, 2 screws to remove, 1 piece to remove and a simple spring clip holding in the screen. I've removed mine, cleaned it, and reassembled it in about 10 minutes.

For anyone with the confidence to try and some steady hands, it can be done. It's not extensive, or relatively complicated, and the disassemble is minimal

The hardest part is getting a screen intended for the 5DIII.

EDIT: To the OP, if you have any doubts what so ever... take it to a shop or send it to Canon.

That's my feeling. Go to a shop. I didn't say it was impossible or anything, but I think it probably too extensive and too risky for the average owner. If it were me, I would probably go for it, but I would not recommend it to others who are not completely confident with their skills.

Talley wrote in post #16239786
Mine is scratched by my rocket blower. same exact crap happen to me.

Fixing to order a precision however mine is a tool less swap.

The 6D is a different animal altogether and a replacement screen can easily be obtained through Canon or a third party.

How much do you think Canon or a shop would charge for this?

Humble Photographer wrote in post #16239822
How much do you think Canon or a shop would charge for this?

I have no clue. You can call and ask, but I don't think they will want to commit to a ball park figure on the phone to protect themselves in the event they identify other damage. (I know, there is no other damage, but they don't know that. They don't know what you might have done and can't assume anything). But ask anyway, you have nothing to lose.

Does changing this screen require the camera's focusing system to be recalibrated? If the answer is no, a local canon shop is probably going to be 2-3x cheaper, but if the camera has to be calibrated, I will have to send it to Canon who will charge me a lot more.

Anybody?