Getting debris out of a 20D

Hi guys. I'm not only new here but I'm also new to Digital SLRs. I just got this EOS 20D a few days ago and I've been taking lots of pictures out doors. Yesterday I suddenly noticed this little bit of debris on the viewfinder. None of the pictures I took had anything on them so I figured it had to be somewhere inside where the mirrors are. I carefully blew compressed air inside it with no luck. Is there anything I can do take get it out of my camera? If not where can I take it to get it done? Could a place like Ritz camera handle a job like this? I got the camera online from Adorama and I don't live in NY so I can't get them to clean it.


Thanks in advanced for all your help.

Welcome to the forum!

1) Don't blow compressed air into the camera, you can damage it. Use a hand held blower that you pump with your hand.
2) The debris could be on the mirror or in the viewfinder.
3) If it was there when you got it, return it and ask for it to be repaired or replaced. If you put it there, most camera repair stores should be ok to fix it. Canon are the authority on repairing their cameras, but this is a simple job.

Good luck

Oops, I tried the air because I thought the manual said it was ok. In any case, I took the little tube off the can so the air wouldn't be concentrated on one spot and perhaps damage something. The debris was not there when I got the camera. I actually don't know how it got there. I didn't switch lenses outside. I've always kept it in its case when not in use.

Anyway, thnx for your input. I'll take my camera to get cleaned on Tuesday. I'm just thankful that little bit of dust is not showing up on my pictures.

The camera isn't sealed, dust can find many ways in, whether you're outside or not. It's unavoidable, you just be careful and clean it when you need to.

It's best to leave it to a professional if you're unsure, but a good resource for sensor cleaning is here. I clean my camera myself, and i've never had a problem. For your problem i'd recommend a professional rather than trying it yourself.

Yeah, I'm not gonna try anything of this sort until I'm well experienced with this camera.


I was looking at your fav. pictures and I'm seeing some nice firework pictures. I can't wait till 4th of July now!

Cheers, i'm quite happy with them. You'll need a tripod, cable release, a standard length lens, and a good observation point to do that - I was on a hill and the fireworks were over the water. Start on manual at ISO 400/F8, try for a 1 second exposure, and tweak it as you need too. Alternately meter in Av mode to get initial settings.

Here's a news flash: "Canned Air" does NOT contain air. Those cans all contain a liquid (that can act like a solvent) that vaporizes when you push the button. Most are flammable. You definitely would not want any of the contents in your camera - EVER. If any of the liquid got into the camera, it could cause untold problems.

tim wrote:
It's best to leave it to a professional if you're unsure, but a good resource for sensor cleaning is here.

Tim, the original poster's concern is not sensor dust, so your suggestion is kind of misleading. The problem sounds like dust either on or in or around the focusing screen, which is not the sort of thing that I would trust to any ham-handed guy at Ritz Cameras. That is the bad news. The good news is that this does not show up on the image, so it doesn't really hurt anything other than to distract the photographer.

---Bob Gross---

It could be on the mirror or in the viewfinder too. I was suggesting that a professional technician could do the job, rather than having to send it to Canon.

From what I have expierienced just a month ago, the dust is probably on the focus screen. It prob wont show on a normal pic, but if you were to take a picture with a longer shutter, the dust will show up. I took my camera to the Canon Repair Center in Irvine. They cleaned the camera, but its only a month later and the dust is back. I wish there was a way to solve this problem.

If the dust is in focus, then chances are that it is on the focus screen. It might be out of focus, so that would suggest that it is on the mirror. If it is on the external side of the viewfinder, then a simple cotton swab can get it.

Once I had a spot that was moving! It turned out to be a mosquito that had made a wrong turn.

---Bob Gross---

I actually have the same problem. I have dust in my camera, on the mirror, sensor, and other thing ( which is on top inside the camera). I clean them with a sensor pen, they look clean, then a few days later they are dusty again.

My camera is very new only about 6 weeks old. It was clean until I went on my trip to NYC and unfortunetly I think it got dirty at B&H when I tested a few lenses.

I just ordered the CopperHill Ultimate D-SLR Care Kit, and will clean it better when i get it. If all else fails, I will send it away to Canon.

If you can see it through the viewfinder, it won't show up in a picture, period. Sensor dust will show up if you stop down and photograph a solid coloured area, but only on the captured picture - you won't see it through the viewfinder.