Dust in my viewfinder....

Columbo · 4 Mar 2013 at 10:13

I was out shooting yesterday when out of nowhere 2 distinct spots of irritating blackness appeared in my viewfinder.

I've no idea where they came from but its going to bug the hell out of me until I get it sorted.

Any ideas how?

Andy90 · 4 Mar 2013 at 11:14

Could be any number of sources.

1) Dust/pollen imported from the atmosphere as you change lenses

2) Material from within the camera - bear in mind the mirror moves on a machanical mount and the materials wear against each other

3) Material from a lens when you change it.

One of those things really, nothing is completely dust proof. Take a look at the mirror surface carefully are they on there? If the are see if they can be blown off. The mirror is very delicate though so I wouldn't recommend poking it with anything.

It could be on the exposed surface of the focussing screen (ie the side that faces into the mirror box). Again this could be blown off. Again don't poke it, since the focussing screen is a fresnel lens and the ridges are quite delicate, you can often put more dirt onto it by messing around than was there originally.

If you're really unlucky then the dust could be on the inside surface of the focussing screen / inside the mirror or pentaprism. If this is the case then you're really looking at a camera technician to take it apart and repair it.

The problem is, even after doing all this, you may end up with dust again. It is annoying but if you've used Cameras for a few years you tend to blank the spots out.

Ac1dh0u$3. · 4 Mar 2013 at 11:53

Hi, I see you have a D7000, Ive just sorted the same problem.

I noticed the dust in the view finder but not in any pictures, if you take the lens off and look in and up to the bottom of the prism which the mirror is angled at, I think this it where you will find the dust, I only had one speck, and I'm not sure if this is the recommended method for getting it off but I took a lens blower and just blew it off...

I think you're taking a risk doing this as it could go anywhere

Columbo · 4 Mar 2013 at 15:02

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll check them out when I get home tonight.

Columbo · 4 Mar 2013 at 19:21

Ac1dh0u$3. said:
Hi, I see you have a D7000, Ive just sorted the same problem.

I noticed the dust in the view finder but not in any pictures, if you take the lens off and look in and up to the bottom of the prism which the mirror is angled at, I think this it where you will find the dust, I only had one speck, and I'm not sure if this is the recommended method for getting it off but I took a lens blower and just blew it off...

I think you're taking a risk doing this as it could go anywhere

This sorted it.

The debris was properly lodged though and it took about 15 blows of the Rocket Blower to shift it.

Many thanks guys!