Canon 5DSR Focusing screen scratched!

Hi all,

It appears that the focusing screen on my 5DSR is badly scratched.

I have been doing some research and only find mixed answers on weather this part is user replaceable. Some say yes, some say no. And I don't know which part id need to buy anyway!

Might have to be a trip to the Canon repair centre

Anyone else been in a similar boat?

Tom

$30... http://www.ebay.com …60318?hash=item​4d4906bd9e

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

sorted...

Curious as to how it got scratched.

I saw some marks and specs through the viewfinder so took out my lens tissues and some optical cleaning fluid and cleaned the mirror then the focus screen. Unfortunately I didnt realise how delicate and soft it is so my nail caught it a bit, plus the pressure of my finger tip through the tissue alone has scratched it.

Think its just as easy I book it in with the Canon repair centre for a new screen rather than ordering one from the states and attempting to fit it myself. Have it in for a full clean at the same time.

Tom

Screens are easier to clean if they are removed and handled gently, with distilled water and nano fiber cloth. Less likely to damage this way vs being in a hard to reach spot and you get both sides this way.

So I took it to Canon in Elstree this morning and as soon as I got there, took it off my hands, then returned it to me 10 minutes later with a new focus screen and viewfinder.

No charge either!

Thats what i call service!

tomstephens89 wrote in post #18383394
So I took it to Canon in Elstree this morning and as soon as I got there, took it off my hands, then returned it to me 10 minutes later with a new focus screen and viewfinder.

No charge either!

Thats what i call service!

I understand that they gave you a new focus screen and that's great. But what in the world did you mean by a new viewfinder?

mwsilver wrote in post #18383399
I understand that they gave you a new focus screen and that's great. But what in the world did you mean by a new viewfinder?

Well I think I heard him right, he either said new focus screen and viewfinder or new focus screen and gave the viewfinder a clean.

Either way, it looked pretty grimy and dusty before and now its crystal clear.

• Literally what happened: "They replaced my damaged focusing screen with a brand new one at no charge"
  
• Figuratively speaking, what happened: "I brought in my camera and walked out 10 minutes later with a camera 'with a brand new (unmarred) viewfinder'
  

Nice outcome!

tomstephens89 wrote in post #18382690
Unfortunately I didnt realise how delicate and soft it is so my nail caught it a bit, plus the pressure of my finger tip through the tissue alone has scratched it.

"how delicate and soft it is"
...Thank you for providing a painful personal testimony proving the reality of what many of us try to warn on POTN !

Just because something is soft and delicate, it doesn't mean it shouldn't be handled, just that it is to be handled with care.

tomstephens89 wrote in post #18382690
I saw some marks and specs through the viewfinder so took out my lens tissues and some optical cleaning fluid and cleaned the mirror then the focus screen.

I have always thought that DSLR mirrors (and SLR mirrors before them) were front surface mirrors and so should never be touched, just blown off with a bulb blower, and maybe brushed lightly with a very soft brush. Is that not correct? Are they tough enough for lens tissue and cleaning fluid?

bpalermini wrote in post #18383899
I have always thought that DSLR mirrors (and SLR mirrors before them) were front surface mirrors and so should never be touched, just blown off with a bulb blower, and maybe brushed lightly with a very soft brush. Is that not correct? Are they tough enough for lens tissue and cleaning fluid?

They are tough enough to be wiped gently with a micro fiber towel. I have never used any lens solution on any mirrors. Just a very soft micro fiber towel and barely any pressure at all should be enough to clean anything off the mirror. ALWAYS use a blower to blow off anything loose first. I also then brush them off once with the MFT in one direction after that, then the gentle cleaning.

The reason I attempted to clean it myself with a rather 'bull in china shop method' being lens tissues, fluid and fingertip... Was because I can and have confidently wet cleaned sensors before, so I figured... Bahhhh focusing screen is nothing...

How wrong I was.... The sensor is battleship hard compared to this thing.