40D - Small debris on focusing screen

Looking through the viewfinder of my new 40D, I noticed the presence of a small black debris. After inspection I determined it not to be on the surface of the viewfinder, the mirror, or the sensor (fortunately!). I believe the debris is on the focusing screen; the trouble is I am not sure how to pull it out. I do see a small metallic tab in the upper portion inside the lens mount area, but I cannot get it to pull down (and I dare not apply any force to it).

Would anyone have any suggestions that might help? Thank you.

It is annoying but it will not affect any pictures could you live with it ?

I know it will not affect pictures, but it is quite annoying to see it there! If there is absolutely no home remedy (i.e. I don't really want to have it serviced just for that, if that is what would be required for a fix), I would have to live with it.

I had a similar problem with my Rebel XT, where a large spec of dust deposited on the mirror. But in that case, a quick blow of air did the trick.

Also, to give you an idea, the debris is about the size of the center AF point, which is relatively large in my view.

I don't have a 40D but it does offer different focussing screens so the removal of the one you have should be quite simple. I have changed screens on a 1D MkII and to do that I had to apply a little pressure on the tab located at the front of the metal frame surrounding the screen and then the whole lot hinged downwards.

neil_r wrote in post #3920042
I don't have a 40D but it does offer different focussing screens so the removal of the one you have should be quite simple. I have changed screens on a 1D MkII and to do that I had to apply a little pressure on the tab located at the front of the metal frame surrounding the screen and then the whole lot hinged downwards.

Thats the way to do it.. I have a 40D and have removed the screen to clean it.

that sounds like a big chunk of dirt! My 20D came with debris in the viewfinder. I have yet to clean it. The 40D came clean thankfully.

Just use the tab (as described above), the screen will drop down, remove it carefully with plastic tweezers, blow it off with a bulb blower, put it back in the mount and gently push the tab upward until it clicks back into place. (at least that's how it's done on the 5D and 1DMKIIN)

Mark

Hi Krepta, fellow Irvine resident, why don't you just hop on over to the Irvine service center on Alton and have it checked out. You can go to Costco while you wait for your camera Why risk trying to remove it yourself when you live that close? That's what they are there for and it's free.

dazzlebea wrote in post #3925714
Hi Krepta, fellow Irvine resident, why don't you just hop on over to the Irvine service center on Alton and have it checked out. You can go to Costco while you wait for your camera Why risk trying to remove it yourself when you live that close? That's what they are there for and it's free.

There's really no risk to it. It's designed to come out and to be interchangeable.

Mark

Mark_Cohran wrote in post #3926587
There's really no risk to it. It's designed to come out and to be interchangeable.

Not on the 20/30/40D's... not officially.

Although if you're comfortable with using a pair of tweezers, changing the focus screen is fairly easy.

Pixel9ine wrote in post #3926937
Not on the 20/30/40D's... not officially.

Although if you're comfortable with using a pair of tweezers, changing the focus screen is fairly easy.

http://www.dpreview.co​m …ews/canoneos40d​/page3.asp

Pixel9ine wrote in post #3926937
Not on the 20/30/40D's... not officially.

Although if you're comfortable with using a pair of tweezers, changing the focus screen is fairly easy.

See: http://www.usa.canon.c​om …egoryid=139&mod​elid=15653

Look at last feature in the feature tab.

dazzlebea wrote in post #3925714
Hi Krepta, fellow Irvine resident, why don't you just hop on over to the Irvine service center on Alton and have it checked out. You can go to Costco while you wait for your camera Why risk trying to remove it yourself when you live that close? That's what they are there for and it's free.

I was not aware that there was a service center on Alton!

In any case, when I came home from the office today I checked the camera again and the debris is now gone. I was not successful in pulling down the focus screen plate, so I am not sure how this came to be; perhaps my applying pressure to the tab last night opened a tiny gap small enough for the debris to fall out.

But now I am curious as to why I cannot get the plate to come out. I do intend to change the focus screen (to the Ef-D) in the future, and I have read in another thread that getting the plate out is easily handled with the tool or tools provided when purchasing the new focus screens. As many of you have mentioned here, however, applying a little pressure to the tab should do it. Has anyone else with a 40D attempted this without any special tool?

Also, thank you to everyone for your kind help! It is much appreciated.

To get the tab to release, you need to push it back slightly (towards the back of the camera). This will release the catch and the black frame should then come out.

Take a look at this (esp. page 4 & 5) which has some great pics illustrating how to change the screen: https://mywebspace.wis​c.edu/haodafu/web/Chan​geScreen.pdf

I have done this on a 400D and a 20D. From what others have said in this thread, the method is the same for all Canon DSLR's. I bought replacement screens from FotoGeeks: https://www33.instante​store.com …merchant17736/d​efault.cfm
but it seems their price has now gone up!