My mirror is a dust magnet

[hamlet]

Hamlet: Dust on the mirror is NOT visible through the caamera. I repeat, dust on the mirror is NOT visible through the camera. The front of the mirror cannot be seen by looking through the eyepiece, nor through Live View...not any way except by removing the lens and using your eyes to look at the mirror. And you know what? Mirrors do get a bit dirty. Do not attempt to clean the mirror, or it will be scratched by even the softest cleaning attempt. Mirror dust,mirror plastic evaporation coatings (ie thin,thin film from the outgassing of foams or plastics,etc) are NOT HARMFUL in any way, and do not impair the function of any SLR or d-slr.

Visible dust as seen when looking through the viewfinder is dust that is on the focusing screen, which is located above the mirror. The dust causes no harm, except mental aggravation, and you seem to be the type of person who is bothered by this type of ever-so-minor intrusion of the world into your camera. Dust on the viewfinder screen does not appear in the photos either--only sensor dust will appear in the photos.

What about this here: brush. will it scratch the mirror?

 

[Derrel]

My own person experience says that YES, that brush will scratch the mirror. Quickly, and easily, it will scratch it up. I have tried cleaning several mirrors over the decades; I ended up scratching every single one. But the thing is, even cleaning the mirror makes basically ZERO improvement in the through the finder image. If you mess up the mirror's alignment, or knock it off of its carrier, then you're in for a very costly repair. Think of the mirror as the surface of your own eyeball. In other words, DO NOT brush it. Do not scrub it. Do not poke at it. Just simply leave it alone.

 

[hamlet]

Consarn it! All right Derrel, thank you.

 

[robbins.photo]

My own person experience says that YES, that brush will scratch the mirror. Quickly, and easily, it will scratch it up. I have tried cleaning several mirrors over the decades; I ended up scratching every single one. But the thing is, even cleaning the mirror makes basically ZERO improvement in the through the finder image. If you mess up the mirror's alignment, or knock it off of its carrier, then you're in for a very costly repair. Think of the mirror as the surface of your own eyeball. In other words, DO NOT brush it. Do not scrub it. Do not poke at it. Just simply leave it alone.

Ok, so then sandblasting.. right out I assume? Lol

Oh and I forgot to double check with you first - you are free for New Years Eve right?

 

[hamlet]

It seems that my very last attempt to clean the mirror yesterday has made my sensor dirty.

 

[manicmike]

Bathe it in acid. That should help.

 

[robbins.photo]

It seems that my very last attempt to clean the mirror yesterday has made my sensor dirty.

And now we pause for a brief station identification break, where in I will be forced to slap my forehead.

 

[manaheim]

Hamlet: Dust on the mirror is NOT visible through the caamera. I repeat, dust on the mirror is NOT visible through the camera. The front of the mirror cannot be seen by looking through the eyepiece, nor through Live View...not any way except by removing the lens and using your eyes to look at the mirror. And you know what? Mirrors do get a bit dirty. Do not attempt to clean the mirror, or it will be scratched by even the softest cleaning attempt. Mirror dust,mirror plastic evaporation coatings (ie thin,thin film from the outgassing of foams or plastics,etc) are NOT HARMFUL in any way, and do not impair the function of any SLR or d-slr.

Visible dust as seen when looking through the viewfinder is dust that is on the focusing screen, which is located above the mirror. The dust causes no harm, except mental aggravation, and you seem to be the type of person who is bothered by this type of ever-so-minor intrusion of the world into your camera. Dust on the viewfinder screen does not appear in the photos either--only sensor dust will appear in the photos.

Derrel I don't believe this is correct. I've had stuff on my mirror visible through the eyepiece.

 

[Derrel]

Derrel I don't believe this is correct. I've had stuff on my mirror visible through the eyepiece.

I forgot....you have Super-Bunny vision and non-human capabilities! And PhotoWrangler, yes, New Year's is still an open date for me--looking mostly fore the biggest flat-screen TV tuned to the best bowl game, with the most deviled eggs and the most free booze!

 

[astroNikon]

It seems that my very last attempt to clean the mirror yesterday has made my sensor dirty.

And now we pause for a brief station identification break, where in I will be forced to slap my forehead.

But Is he talking about his camera. Or something else ?

 

[robbins.photo]

Derrel I don't believe this is correct. I've had stuff on my mirror visible through the eyepiece.

I forgot....you have Super-Bunny vision and non-human capabilities! And PhotoWrangler, yes, New Year's is still an open date for me--looking mostly fore the biggest flat-screen TV tuned to the best bowl game, with the most deviled eggs and the most free booze!

Well I'm still waiting to hear back from Lew but I was thinking Time Square, three amigos - I think this could work.. lol

 

[manaheim]

Derrel I don't believe this is correct. I've had stuff on my mirror visible through the eyepiece.

I forgot....you have Super-Bunny vision and non-human capabilities! And PhotoWrangler, yes, New Year's is still an open date for me--looking mostly fore the biggest flat-screen TV tuned to the best bowl game, with the most deviled eggs and the most free booze!

Well... or it might just be the shmutz on my mirror was bigger than your average dust. Dunno.

 

[hamlet]

Now i have to clean the sensor. There is one big dust ball on it i cant get out with the rocket air.

 

[robbins.photo]

Now i have to clean the sensor. There is one big dust ball on it i cant get out with the rocket air.

Hamlet, let me make 2 recommendations for you. One, take your camera to a camera shop or authorized dealer and have it professionally cleaned. Don't try to mess around with this yourself. Two, once you get your camera back, take it out and use it.. regularly. Your a lot less likely to have to worry about dust build up if your camera is getting out of the bag and being used.

Just my 2 cents worth of course, but I really really hope for once you'll take my advice. Good luck.

 

[hamlet]

This cleaning business is getting costly. I should have just bought a new dslr.