New, yet not so new, with a question

Hello everyone! I have been lurking around for some time, admiring your photo's. I have been goofing around in photography for some time (started with a pentax k1000 and b&w classes in the early nineties). I have moved through different camera's over the last 13yrs (nikon n70 -> canon xt -> 30d). I just bought a used 5d to compliment my 30d.

Here is my issue. So simple yet bugging the living daylights out of me. The 5d arrived in incredible condition, BUT, the sensor had some dust. I tried to blow it out with the rocket. Then I decided to take it to my local camera store. They used some compressed filtered air, checked it with the sensorscope, looks good. I came home, took the cap off the 17-40, looked through the viewfinder and there it was. Yep debris. I snapped a few shots of the blue sky at different apertures. check the photo's, no dust marks. WTH? Sooo, to make this long story even longer, did the dust move to the mirror? I have tried the rocket again, and it's still there in my viewfinder, but not on my photo's. I know, I shouldn't be bothered by this. But every time I look through the viewfinder there it is... mocking me. I need to send it in for the mirror recall. Maybe that is the answer.... Any idea's?

I think you've got it right. The dust you're seeing in the viewfinder would be on the mirror, which explains why its not showing up in your pics - its not on the sensor, so the sensor doesn't see it.

Nope, it's not on the mirror. Or rather, if there is dust on the mirror you won't see it in focus.

If you can see it in sharp focus it's on your focusing screen or the bottom surface of the prism (that's where the focusing dots are).

Isn't the focus screen user-serviceable on the 5D?

-js

I can see it as soon as I look through the camera. A little wiggly hair like object and 3 small specks of debris. I see it in focus, out of focus... its just there. Mocking me. Not like I am ocd or anything . So, you are saying probably not on the mirror. Hmm... Not on sensor, not on mirror, not viewable in photo's. I'm not sure if the focus screen is user serviceable. This is only my second day with the camera. I'll check the manual. Only half way through it anyway.

I don't have a 5D, but seems to me I've heard of people ordering different types of focus screens for it and installing themselves. But maybe I'm thinking of some other model...

-js

number six wrote in post #7933759
I don't have a 5D, but seems to me I've heard of people ordering different types of focus screens for it and installing themselves. But maybe I'm thinking of some other model...

-js

Yeah, there are other screens your can install. I have read about the them. I'm fairly mechanical, but I am scared of taking stuff apart at this point and time. Not sure if my VPP insurance covers "user inflicted damage"!

Just pop the focus screen out and blow it off. I do it all the time.

My 30D is not supposed to have a user-serviceable screen but I changed it out. It was easy.

I'd expect the 5D would be easier, considering Canon says you can change the screen yourself.

-js

Oh, I forgot: welcome to POTN!

-js

number six wrote in post #7933645
Nope, it's not on the mirror. Or rather, if there is dust on the mirror you won't see it in focus.

If you can see it in sharp focus it's on your focusing screen or the bottom surface of the prism (that's where the focusing dots are).

Isn't the focus screen user-serviceable on the 5D?

-js

Yes but I find mine a pain to keep clean. It tends to attract a fair bit of dust. Not sure about other users but a good clean needs to be done on a monthly basis.

The focus screen is removeable and cleaning is relatively easy, but it is fragile, so handle with reasonable care.

However, there is also a good possibility that dust has gotten up into the viewfinder system, which is not user-cleanable beyond trying a blower after the focus screen is off. Most of us just live with it, but Canon service centers can also clean it for a cost.

Thanks Js!

I am trying to ignore the little string and dust specs. I bet by next week, I will have brought home some plastic tweezers to remove the focus screen. If I can't get it out, I will have canon clean it when they do the mirror recall. I appreciate everyone's input!!