I can see a speck of dust/dirt when looking through my view finder!

Prophet · 4 Jun 2007 at 12:33

Its not on the lens or the outside of the view finder. I'm guessing its on the mirror?

Should I get a 'blower' first to try and move it or use another metod?

Cuchulain · 4 Jun 2007 at 12:35

Orange Peel said:
Its not on the lens or the outside of the view finder. I'm guessing its on the mirror?

Should I get a 'blower' first to try and move it or use another metod?

You can try a blower, if that doesn't work try cleaning your mirror, failing that it's probably on the inside of the viewfinder, the same place I seem to have a spec of fluff

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 4 Jun 2007 at 12:37

I really wouldnt mess with that area. Its purely mechanical and you want it to live as long as possible.

It doesn't affect your images so try to remove it with air or just let it be.

Upto you of course.

Nicos Rex · 4 Jun 2007 at 13:54

Assuming that you have an SLR of some sort, most likely places will be on the mirror or the focussing screen.

With any luck you should be able to shift it with air.

If you can't, unless it is really annoying you I would leave it alone. Mirrors in particular are very delicate, many of them have a half-silvered area for exposure metering and it is very easy to cause expensive damage when attempting to clean them.

Prophet · 4 Jun 2007 at 16:07

Its a 350D.

I'm going to look into an air blower and try that. Its doesnt bother me too much however it shouldnt be there so I'd like to move it.

I wouldnt attempt to clean it manually as I'm not that brave.

Kol · 4 Jun 2007 at 21:10

I had a similar problem, but found it wasn't on the mirror, but the bit above. I was very careful to avoid the mirror and attempted to wipe above it.

The thing is, when focusing the 'dots' which usually light up are all screwed up now. How have I managed that? I've screwed it

They still show up, but are either dull or blurry.

mrk · 5 Jun 2007 at 02:08

Mirror dust has zero effect on pictures as does the dust specs on the inner glass of the viewfinder - I was anal about this too when I had the 350d new but now it's invisible to my eyes Lol - You cannot avoid it so it's best to just get used to it!

You can use a can of compressed air but it will just move the dust around the chamber later settling back on again. Do not put any pressure on the mirror though because it is fragile and can have a shorter life if it gets any amount of pressure added to it.

These specs should not screw up AF or metering since this is all done Through The Lens and the viewfinder is just an indicator view of the FA point being used.

Nicos Rex · 5 Jun 2007 at 04:37

Kol said:
I had a similar problem, but found it wasn't on the mirror, but the bit above. I was very careful to avoid the mirror and attempted to wipe above it.

The thing is, when focusing the 'dots' which usually light up are all screwed up now. How have I managed that? I've screwed it They still show up, but are either dull or blurry.

The "bit above" is the focussing screen. Whilst not as fragile as the mirror it is still possible to do some damage.

Not sure what the "dots" you speak of are - if you mean the bright part of the viewfinder that changes appearance as the image comes into focus then this is the microprism focussing aid. I very much doubt that you have done permanent damage here unless you were particularly hamfisted.

I think that if you take the camera to a good specialist shop, they will be able to sort if for you and they should not charge you more than about £30-£40 and this will be a lesson worth far more for you.

Kol · 5 Jun 2007 at 13:26

Nicos Rex said:
The "bit above" is the focussing screen. Whilst not as fragile as the mirror it is still possible to do some damage.

Not sure what the "dots" you speak of are - if you mean the bright part of the viewfinder that changes appearance as the image comes into focus then this is the microprism focussing aid. I very much doubt that you have done permanent damage here unless you were particularly hamfisted.

I think that if you take the camera to a good specialist shop, they will be able to sort if for you and they should not charge you more than about £30-£40 and this will be a lesson worth far more for you.

When you look through the viewfinder using AF, it will show the focusing point. These seem to be screwed now. Still works just as well, but the dots aren't as bright as they were.