Two marks visible in view finder, but not on pictures

Hi everyone,

This may seem like a stupid question, but hear me out. I have two small streaks that are visible in my viewfinder that I can't seem to get rid of on my XTi. I picked up a lens pen today and cleaned my filter inside and out (I always leave a UV filter on). No luck, but of course no surprise really since they don't show in pictures. I also did my best to clean my eye piece with the brush end, but can't use the scrub end since it doesn't fit in the viewfinder. The marks don't show up in photos, so this isn't a real problem, it's just very annoying

So the question is this: If the marks don't show up in the photos, and they don't move or go away at all when I try to clean the eye piece, where else might the cause be hiding? Are there other places I should look, or do I just not have the right tools to properly clean the eye piece / viewfinder?

-Fin

May be on the focusing screen...

It's not on the lens or in the eyepiece, it's on the mirror or focus screen inside.

cdifoto wrote in post #5468688
It's not on the lens or in the eyepiece, it's on the mirror or focus screen inside.

Thanks! After a little research, I'm going to guess it's on the focus screen since while moving my head around a little it seems to be fixed along with the focal point displays.

So, the best plan of attack for cleaning (without screwing up my sensor and other valuable insides) is... a blower hopefully? Are there any other techniques worth considering?

Thanks again,
-Fin

Just take the lens or body cap off, hold the camera lens-mount towards the ground and blow it out. You can't mess up the sensor when it's covered, and when the mirror is flipped down the sensor is covered.

cdifoto wrote in post #5468817
Just take the lens or body cap off, hold the camera lens-mount towards the ground and blow it out. You can't mess up the sensor when it's covered, and when the mirror is flipped down the sensor is covered.

You can also remove the focusing screen very easily (a little lever right in the middle front of the metal frame its in) to clean it. They're made to be replaceable.

I find it quicker and easier to just poof the guts.

Awesome, thanks for the tips.

-Fin

cdifoto wrote in post #5469819
I find it quicker and easier to just poof the guts.

Quick and easy it was - problem solved

-Fin