SOLVED - Mirror Cleaning question?

**stepheno** · 28-04-2008, 19:40

OK.....I have some spots somewhere. They are not on the sensor, I took two separate images and not a spot to be seen. So I deduce they are on the mirror or on the focus screen behind the viewfinder. I have used a rocket blower and a soft camel hair brush and if anything there's more crud there than before.

Can I use Eclipse and a Pecpad on the mirror and focus-screen?

**Markulous** · 28-04-2008, 20:10

IIRC, the mirror is a glass screen sprayed with the silver finish (to prevent parallax distortion/ghosting) so it would not be a good idea as you could damage/remove the relatively delicate finish

silkstone · 28-04-2008, 20:25

I asked Nicholas R (Copperhill method) about that a while ago, and he thought it should be OK to use Eclipse and a swab if you were very gentle. The mirror is more delicate than the filter over the sensor. He was rather non-committal, though.

If blowing or brushing doesn't work, the way I do it is with a microweave cloth wrapped around a cotton bud and dipped in IPA. So far I haven't removed the silvering, although I've only done this once on my 30D.

**stepheno** · 28-04-2008, 20:48

Thanks both, I took the bull by the horns and tried a Pecpad and Eclipse. Zilch. So I might try the microweave and some Eclipse and if that doesn't work then I'll get a pro to do it. Thanks for replying.

Charlotte · 28-04-2008, 20:53

LOL I read "microwave"

**Dabhand16** · 28-04-2008, 20:57

Looks like you are on the road to Ajax.

silkstone · 28-04-2008, 21:00

Stepheno - Have you cleaned both the mirror and the focusing screen? Crud tends to stick to the screen and it's awkward to get to the front part of this because the top edge of the mirror box is in the way. I use a brush with a bent ferrule, or bend the stem of the cotton bud.

A dry camel-hair brush won't be much good - it'll just move the dust around. You need either a nylon brush which you can make slightly electrostatic, and/or moisten the brush with methanol (Eclipse) or IPA.

Good luck!

P.S. If you're passing I'll have a go, and there's a box for you to pick up here as well!

**stepheno** · 28-04-2008, 21:12

Thanks Silkstone, I'll be in touch

VinnyP · 28-04-2008, 21:24

Might be dust in the prism. I had this once and it's a service item.

**stepheno** · 02-05-2008, 11:40

After a visit to Silkstone (cleaning guru) we found no crud on the mirror or the focussing screen. So, this morning I popped in to Dale Photographic in Leeds and their resident techy confirms that the muck is on the internal side of the focussing screen. Confirmed by the fact that the muck is in focus. So....he is taking the screen off and will clean it. Sorted and thanks for all replies

silkstone · 02-05-2008, 11:46

Glad to hear you're getting it sorted.

Sorry I couldn't do more at the time, but at least the diagnosis was right.

28-04-2008, 19:40	#1 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,637	SOLVED - Mirror Cleaning question? OK.....I have some spots somewhere. They are not on the sensor, I took two separate images and not a spot to be seen. So I deduce they are on the mirror or on the focus screen behind the viewfinder. I have used a rocket blower and a soft camel hair brush and if anything there's more crud there than before. Can I use Eclipse and a Pecpad on the mirror and focus-screen?

28-04-2008, 20:10	#2 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 9,691	Re: Mirror Cleaning question? IIRC, the mirror is a glass screen sprayed with the silver finish (to prevent parallax distortion/ghosting) so it would not be a good idea as you could damage/remove the relatively delicate finish

28-04-2008, 20:25	#3 (permalink)
silkstone Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Silkstone Common, Yorkshire, UK Posts: 3,415	Re: Mirror Cleaning question? I asked Nicholas R (Copperhill method) about that a while ago, and he thought it should be OK to use Eclipse and a swab if you were very gentle. The mirror is more delicate than the filter over the sensor. He was rather non-committal, though. If blowing or brushing doesn't work, the way I do it is with a microweave cloth wrapped around a cotton bud and dipped in IPA. So far I haven't removed the silvering, although I've only done this once on my 30D.

28-04-2008, 20:48	#4 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,637	Re: Mirror Cleaning question? Thanks both, I took the bull by the horns and tried a Pecpad and Eclipse. Zilch. So I might try the microweave and some Eclipse and if that doesn't work then I'll get a pro to do it. Thanks for replying.

28-04-2008, 20:53	#5 (permalink)
Charlotte Loves the place Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Romsey, Hampshire Posts: 5,803	Re: Mirror Cleaning question? LOL I read "microwave"

28-04-2008, 20:57	#6 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 9,000	Re: Mirror Cleaning question? Looks like you are on the road to Ajax.

28-04-2008, 21:00	#7 (permalink)
silkstone Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Silkstone Common, Yorkshire, UK Posts: 3,415	Re: Mirror Cleaning question? Stepheno - Have you cleaned both the mirror and the focusing screen? Crud tends to stick to the screen and it's awkward to get to the front part of this because the top edge of the mirror box is in the way. I use a brush with a bent ferrule, or bend the stem of the cotton bud. A dry camel-hair brush won't be much good - it'll just move the dust around. You need either a nylon brush which you can make slightly electrostatic, and/or moisten the brush with methanol (Eclipse) or IPA. Good luck! P.S. If you're passing I'll have a go, and there's a box for you to pick up here as well! __________________ "I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers" - Mahatma Gandhi

28-04-2008, 21:12	#8 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,637	Re: Mirror Cleaning question? Thanks Silkstone, I'll be in touch

28-04-2008, 21:24	#9 (permalink)
VinnyP Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Surbiton Surrey Posts: 628	Re: Mirror Cleaning question? Might be dust in the prism. I had this once and it's a service item.

02-05-2008, 11:40	#10 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,637	Re: SOLVED - Mirror Cleaning question? After a visit to Silkstone (cleaning guru) we found no crud on the mirror or the focussing screen. So, this morning I popped in to Dale Photographic in Leeds and their resident techy confirms that the muck is on the internal side of the focussing screen. Confirmed by the fact that the muck is in focus. So....he is taking the screen off and will clean it. Sorted and thanks for all replies

02-05-2008, 11:46	#11 (permalink)
silkstone Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Silkstone Common, Yorkshire, UK Posts: 3,415	Re: SOLVED - Mirror Cleaning question? Glad to hear you're getting it sorted. Sorry I couldn't do more at the time, but at least the diagnosis was right.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Mirror Prank	Dave	Jokes and Funny Threads	6	10-01-2008 20:19
Mirror Lock Up on D50	Charlotte	Cameras, Lenses and Accessories	9	19-10-2007 14:29
Mirror Image	bigboy_cad	Photo Critique	6	29-09-2007 01:05
Can you use Copperhill for the mirror?	stepheno	General photography questions and answers	13	24-10-2006 20:28
Big mirror	fingerz	Photo Sharing	12	03-10-2005 22:21