My viewfinder is dirty, no not the mirror, but the glass inside the cam at the top. What's the best way to clean it?

My viewfinder is dirty, no not the mirror, but the glass inside the cam at the top. What's the best way to clean it?

If you're uncertain as to where the exact location of "occular-irritant" is... It's better to have it serviced, to be sure. :)

I just called up Columbia Digital and the price for cleaning the viewfinder is a whooping P4,000.00!!!!! Short of saying "this is a stick up". I checked the web and the usual price for this service is US$20 - 30.

I don't understand why it could be so expensive!!! They said they have to remove the damn thing for cleaning. Still, that's too much money for an occular-irritant fix.

Hi All,
I had an email exchange with Anderson Tan of Columbia Digital and there seem to be a misunderstanding on the price quotation. I'll keep you guys posted on the developments.

Thank you and I apologize for my previous post if I over-reacted.

Ok,
the focusing screen cleaning indeed costs P4000.00.
Nope, not the whole "shebang" cleaning - just the focusing screen.

The focusing screen itself only cost US$30-40.

Sensor Cleaning is P700.00

Go figure... blow all those dust/hairs to your sensor for a cheaper rate. ( just teasing )

Ok,
the focusing screen cleaning indeed costs P4000.00.
Nope, not the whole "shebang" cleaning - just the focusing screen.

The focusing screen itself only cost US$30-40.

Sensor Cleaning is P700.00

Go figure... blow all those dust/hairs to your sensor for a cheaper rate. ( just teasing )

Marty, and what camera is this again? :Thinking:

Marty, and what camera is this again? :Thinking:

D50. but I think this applies to D70, D70s and the higher models. The tech person said that was their minimum in cleaning the focusing screen.

:Sick:

D50. but I think this applies to D70, D70s and the higher models. The tech person said that was their minimum in cleaning the focusing screen.

:Sick:

If you're sure it's the focusing screen which is dirty... Actually it's easy to clean... But contrary to common belief... Do not blow air into that area coz it will just displace the dirt and not totally remove it. :)

Hi Earl,

Actually my wife cleaned it for me, and it wasn't rocket science. Her steady hands made it possible.

The issue I guess is that why this cleaning service is priced so high - even higher than the actual cost of the material and almost 10x more than having your sensor cleaned by the same company.

Now, Nikonians will choose their posion so to speak.

P4,000k to get rid of the "occular irritant" or live with the grime, dust and hairy materials you see everytime you shoot.

Sure it doesn't affect your pictures, but those things will eventually get onto your sensors, then it becomes a problem ( but a cheaper problem - just P700).

All these Columbia Digital talk of improved service still isn't "evident" in this pricing.

Does improved service equate to higher price of service? Maybe, but how higher?

The way I see it, improve on the service first so more folks start buying Nikon DSLR's instead of Canon/Oly/Pentax; then reap the benefits of more DSLR's to service.

Simple, 10 DSLR's to service at 4K. vs 100 DSLR's to service at 1.5K which is better for business? Besides, it isn't that difficult to clean it.

This also equates to more DSLR's to return for more cleaning right, since it's relatively cheaper.

I did some readings and I don't understand why focusing screen cleaning could cost that much, even much higher than in the US where labor is more expensive?

I dunno, I've always been a skeptic and very opinionated. Are we seeing a case of Monopolizing the Nikon Camera service industry? :Shock:

guys!

i know medyo OT, but what do i use to clean the glass of the viewfinder mismo?

thanks! :)

borly

Hi guys,

I use camel hair brush to clean the insides of my camera including the mirrors and I use Visible Dust's sensor brush to clean my sensor. I was initially very afraid to touch the sensor but matters of economy forced me to do it myself. I wanted to have a clean sensor for every event that I shoot. I have two cameras and last month I had 5 events so if I send it to be cleaned every time a large part of my profit will go to the cleaner's pocket than in mine.

After I've done it once, it was easy to do it again and again.

Marco

sensor cleaning is much cheaper that cleaning the focus area? thats odd.....

i call SHENANIGANS!!!!!!!

will i regular microfiber cloth suffic for the viewfinder (i'm not sure of the term - where my eyes are???)

sorry.

I, too, have 2 specks of dust in my viewfinder and I'd love to know how to clean it.

I, too, have 2 specks of dust in my viewfinder and I'd love to know how to clean it.

'Din, Is it external or internal? :Thinking:

I just spray compressed air on mine. :)

Spray compressed air or that ROcket thingy and PECPADS is always a must for your cleaning gear

Hmm, wouldn't it be easier if you use an eyepiece extender with some sort of secondary thin lens before the viewfinder in the long run?

so wiping the external viewfinder with a microfiber cloth is a big no no?

so wiping the external viewfinder with a microfiber cloth is a big no no?

What the?!? I wipe my viewfinder with my shirt! :D hahahahahahaha

What the?!? I wipe my viewfinder with my shirt! :D hahahahahahaha

hahaha thanks bro! :D

mashado ako praning recently...

hahaha thanks bro! :D

mashado ako praning recently...

What you have is called Obsessive-compulsive behavior due to gear paranoia... :D

It helps if you won't think about your gear too much...

will keep that in mind earl! =P i shall try to think of it as semi-battle gear

I too had a problem with viewfinder dirt. Actually it was a lot of viewfinder dirt. At first I tried to use the Rocket blower to hopefully clean it without having to send it in the service center. And then I used cotton buds and alcohol hoping it was just external. But to no avail, didn't want to continue with removing the viewing screen as DIY might end up as Destroy it Yourself.

I just had the office D70 viewfinder cleaned, its a lot refreshing to look at now. Brought it to Columbia Digital, it took about 3 days for them to fix it because the problem was not in the focusing screen but the in the prism already. So they had to open up the camera to clean it. After realizing the problem, I guess paying didn't really feel so bad and its after a year of use.

Thanks to the Columbia Digital service staff headed by Ramil for taking good care of the camera.

and how much did you have to pay? was it the P4000 that was quoted?

I am just guessing here but most probably it is P4000 at least. The last time I had my D70 serviced there, they said that if your camera gets opened, it will cost you P4000 plus the cost of the parts. It's money well spent though. You will get a general check-up plus sensor cleaning in the process.

Hi guys! Whenever I look at my viewfinder I see some hair/dust particles. I'm thinking of sending it to Canon for cleaning. Do you know how much would it cost? Or can I clean it myself? Though I'm quite afraid I'll put more particles inside. I'm using a 400D. TIA!

we have the same situation... though not considering it a problem at the moment... i have dust on my d40 viewfinder.

i tried to blow it out somehow (by a blower, ofcourse:Grin:) through a slight opening at the top inside the housing... the dust would move but would become more visible :(

i checked and seem my sensor is not affected so now im ok with it. :) i heard that to clean the viewfinder, the camera would have to be opened... hence, for a grey unit, this would cost more... outch!

if your bothered by it and canon would clean it for free, go ahead and have yourself a clean view :)

Do you know how much would it cost? I bought my camera in Japan so I'm guessing it's grey. I'm a bit bothered by it but I'll move on. :D

They charged me P550 to clean my sensor and VF when I was back there in January/February.
That includes tax, by the way.

Thanks sir Rob! I emailed Canon and inquired about the price and they told me it would cost a minimum of P500. Not much discrepancy. I'll probably drop it off this Saturday in the Makati service center. It'll take just a couple of hours right?

I have experienced that too. Actually I did panic when I first saw that there's a strand of hair when I look into the viewfinder. :P I thought my lens got scratched or there's a hair in my lens.. :P I was plaaning to have it cleaned too... But then after few days it disappeared. o_o

Thanks sir Rob! I emailed Canon and inquired about the price and they told me it would cost a minimum of P500. Not much discrepancy. I'll probably drop it off this Saturday in the Makati service center. It'll take just a couple of hours right?

What I did is I called and asked them if they could do it the same day.
Give them a call before you go and ask them if they could do it the same day. If they agree, make sure to agree on a specific date and ask for the technician's name.

If you just go there without any verbal appointment, you may have to leave your camera for a couple of weeks for it to be cleaned.

My cousin and I went there and they cleaned my camera in about 3-4 hours (I have them clean my camera twice, I saw a spot on the sensor after they cleaned it).
But they asked my cousin to leave his camera for 2 weeks because he didn't made any arrangements.

What I did is I called and asked them if they could do it the same day.
Give them a call before you go and ask them if they could do it the same day. If they agree, make sure to agree on a specific date and ask for the technician's name.

If you just go there without any verbal appointment, you may have to leave your camera for a couple of weeks for it to be cleaned.

My cousin and I went there and they cleaned my camera in about 3-4 hours (I have them clean my camera twice, I saw a spot on the sensor after they cleaned it).
But they asked my cousin to leave his camera for 2 weeks because he didn't made any arrangements.

Thanks sir! That helped a lot!

my slr also has these dirts.. i also wipe the viewfinder with my shirt just like earl..
but then came these internal viewfinder dirts.. where do i rocket blow them?

sensor cleaning eb! :) would there be someone kind enough to teach?

i used microfiber cloth as well, it worked fine

internally? hhhmmm might be a big problem



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http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c54/rjeight/signatre.gif

DIY: http://www.clubsnap.com/display.php?file=articles/CCDCleaning/CCDCleaning.html

This is getting OT, though... We're discussing viewfinder, not sensor...

I have dirt inside my viewfinder, actually sa loob siya ng mirror inside the camera. I tried using a lens blower to blow the dust away, pero ayaw matanggal. It doesn't affect my pictures, but it's irritating. Should I just have it cleaned at the service center? If so, do you know where the Canon Service Centers are in Manila?

Thanks and God bless.

Canon service centre.
Marvin Plaza Bldg., 2153 Don Chino Roces Avenue Makati City.

chino roces corner Herrera or Rufino.

Tel 8849000

From what I remember, 250php for check up only.

and from what customer service told me, they're open even on sundays.

Oh okay, thanks! :D

Canon service centre.
Marvin Plaza Bldg., 2153 Don Chino Roces Avenue Makati City.

chino roces corner Herrera or Rufino.

Tel 8849000

From what I remember, 250php for check up only.

Does it include cleaning the whole thing?

Does it include cleaning the whole thing?
I know for general checkup, cleaning and shutter count, it would cost P500 (free if your unit is under warranty)

Hi guys!

Did anyone experience having dirt inside the viewfinder? The dust blower doesnt seem to work. :( Its annoying but it does not affect IQ of the pictures..

Thanks!

Yeah... I had it cleaned by Sony.

thanks for the info. I'll call the service center tomorrow...

Hi guys!

Did anyone experience having dirt inside the viewfinder? The dust blower doesnt seem to work. :( Its annoying but it does not affect IQ of the pictures..

Thanks!

Had this once with my 350D. I don't suggest you do this but this has worked for me. I gave the camera several light breaths (like what you do when fogging lenses before wiping) Since in theory, dust sticks due to static charge. By breathing (not on the sensor) at the mirror and viewfinder mat, the electrical charge is somehow canceled. Follow this up with your rocket blower aiming at the mirror area. (this would be pointing up from inside the lens mount). Oh. Be careful not spit when blowing :)

It would dislodge some dust.. But there would always be stubborn specks that will annoy you. For this, professional help would be needed. But IMO if it doesnt affect your photos, let it be. I used to get annoyed by these myself, but now i just let it pass if my sweet breath doesn't work :)

I used to get annoyed by these myself, but now i just let it pass if my sweet breath doesn't work :)


Mentos! Or tic tac?

Bob: Find out if the dust is on the focusing screen first, if so, a simple blower burst is sufficient, but if it's in the prism, you'll need to bring it to the service center.　As for the exterior of the viewfinder itself (where you peek), a drop of lens solution on a thick cotton bud will do the trick.

@MichaelLangner - Same Michael Langner from Brent?

@MichaelLangner - Same Michael Langner from Brent?

Yup! why? :Scared:

Its in the prism.

@Michael: Not sure if we're on the same batch, I think you were a batch lower than I was... Just thought the name was familiar and I saw a photo in the current month of PhotoVideoi about the Sony seminar looked familiar.

My camera's viewfinder needs cleaning, can you suggest good places to have it cleaned? The dust doesn't affect the output photos but its just irritating to see it.

I've been to Hidalgo this afternoon but I'm afraid to leave my camera to the repair shops there as it might cause more damage. After all, all I saw were just old cameras on their display and new dslrs may not be their forte.

Does Canon warranty cover such problem? Thanks and God Bless.

My camera's viewfinder needs cleaning, can you suggest good places to have it cleaned? The dust doesn't affect the output photos but its just irritating to see it.

I've been to Hidalgo this afternoon but I'm afraid to leave my camera to the repair shops there as it might cause more damage. After all, all I saw were just old cameras on their display and new dslrs may not be their forte.

Does Canon warranty cover such problem? Thanks and God Bless.


Try getting a rocket blower, and try blowing it off. That is what i did with mine.

you can have it cleaned if it's still under warranty... but i think you have to leave your camera with canon. :)

ive found about this just this morning.. while i was trying out the "super legendary panning technique" XD

the dirt was located only in the viewfinder.. but it doesnt affect my pic and when i switch on the live mode it is nowhere to be found.. so the viewfinder is the only place affected.. but i was kind of annoyed when looking at it..

give me some advice on how to clean this..

i dont know when or how did it get there..:RedEye:
http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv342/saltycottoncandy/ew.jpg

search dirt/dust on viewfinder:


http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=28291

Normally this would be right on the focusing screen or on the mirror. You will be able to see this when you remove your lens. Turn your camera upside down so you can see the focusing screen... In extreme cases the dirt can be found inside the viewfinder itself between the viewfinder lenses or pentaprism or pentamirror. In these extreme cases, you can either send it to the service center or just don't mind it at all.

If I were you I'd just leave it there since it doesn't affect your photos. You might end up blowing the dust to the sensor if you try to remove it.

LEAVE it alone, to much OC will get you into trouble unless you bring it to the service center :Grin:
BTW is your actual view finder or just PS?

@ mister sir willy

i just cut it somewhere on net and do the paint.

@ topic

okay sir, thanks.. haha i just dont know how it get there.. how can i prevent this to occur again? any advice ^^,

Does leaving the dirt on the view finder does't take any effect in the future? I have the same dilema as the TS.

check out this thread

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4823709

cool looking cut-out
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/Mikefellh/E-300Stuff/Elightpath.jpg

weee! the dirt goes away by itself... whoooaaaawww!

Hi,

my 400D's viewfinder seems to have a little hair-like object in it. i have taken out the lens and been trying to wipe it off with a microfiber cloth but to no avail. i even used the blower cleaning thing (forgot what it is called). can someone help me how i can effectively remove it?

by the way, the object doesnt seem to appear in the pics i take but it is getting very distracting and irritating when i always see it in the viewfinder.

thanks!

you can try bringing it to canon service center so that they be the one to open and clean your camera:-)

My 400d's still alive and the viewfinder has around 4 strands of hair on it, a few dark/dust spots and some white dirt as well. 1 dirt or hair strand can get annoying but as you get more on it, you get used to it :D

On topic, I think JTPhoto or Canon can help open up the cam for these types of problems.\

Yeah, it's really annoying.. Try to clean the viewfinder glass itself first. Then try using a blower to the focusing screen as well... Your cam doesn't have an easily-replaceable focusing screen, so you'll need to send it to Canon for cleaning if you really must get everything out. Chances are, they need to open the body shell and clean the prism itself.

Yeah i think the best solution is to take my camera to a Canon service center for cleaning ASAP. haha!

Thanks for the help! :)

I used to have some spots in my viewfinder, when using a blower, do i need to lock up mirror first??

-Thank you!

Viewfinder is where you peek into, it's OUTSIDE the camera chamber, so the mirror has nothing to do with it.

Cleaning problems....choose what suits your situation from any of the recommendations listed/described here:


http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/methods.html


:-)

while shooting earlier this day I noticed that there were "spots" on my alpha 200's viewfinder. the spots do not show on the pictures though but it's kind of irritating :( there's a sony service center nearby but i don't know if they service dslr cameras. any insights? my friends told me that they were dust particles and i just need to dust them off. help? :)

use a blower :)

^ if the "spots" are not appearing on the images yet you can see them on the viewfinder, then the dirt is in the viewfinder, not in the sensor. using a blower won't help. bring it to a sony service center as cleaning that may require opening the body itself.

my D40's viewfinder before was also uber-dirty although not so much spots. I just didn't mind having it serviced. hinayaan ko na lang it doesnt affect the image anyway.

thanks a lot for the help. I just decided not to be too OC about the viewfinder. back to regular shooting :)

In my Viewfinder there is a spot. it's like a water droplet. . ,
although it doesn't affect the picture but this spot is kinda annoying.
do anyone already encounter this kind of spot. ?
and how to get rid of it?

i have the same problem for the longest time
have it cleaned ? ..
havent been able to get it off meself :|

Most common cause is dust and dirt on the focusing screen. You can try air blowing it out of the focusing screen.

Better solution is by cleaning the focusing screen throughly: Lift off the retainer clip on the focusing screen, carefully lift it out of the camera body (hold the screen on its edge and never on the screen itself), clean it with a lint-free lens cleaner, air blow around the focusing screen assembly, and then place it back on the focusing screen rack, and push down on the retainer clip (you might have to push hard so be careful that you don't scratch the screen.

I clean my focusing screen that way if simple air blowing does not remove dust that appears in the viewfinder. I also wet clean my sensor if I clean the screen so both are done at the same time.

That only applies to cameras with replaceable focusing screens Thor... Most cameras can't...

That only applies to cameras with replaceable focusing screens Thor... Most cameras can't...

Oh, you're right, David! My suggestion only applies to Nikon dslrs with replaceable focusing screens...

My 50d has a spot on the upper left corner of the viewfinder. I saw it just moments ago when I tried to shoot a bird directly above me. It seems gravity influenced it to drop on the viewfinder.

By the way, the spot is absent when using live view mode. I have also removed the lens and looked at the viewfinder, the spot is still there. I tried using the camera blower but to no avail.

I have browsed the canon phils website and the nearest authorized service center from my location is the "D Zone" at level 4 SM North Edsa. I am from Tarlac and they have a customer care center in Pampanga but it is not listed as a service center in their website.

Do I need to have it cleaned at a canon service center or is there a way to remove/clean it the 'DIY' way?

Any suggestions on what to do and where to have my camera cleaned will be greatly appreciated. Thanks...

Unless you're adept in removing the whole upper casing of the camera and have a clean-room to work with, odds are you'll have to live with it...

I read the thread from page 1 and I will probably live with it. =)

Hehe... It's annoying ain't it... a big spec or lint every time you look through the VF... mine has tons... but it's even worse with my film cameras hehe.

I'll eventually get used to it.. AND there's more to life than that tiny dot on my viewfinder. Hehehe.. From now on, I won't let it bother me. =)