Schoolboy error!!

jamesdavidboro · Nov 30, 2010

I was taking a photo today and noticed a few black specs in the frame. I checked the image and the specs weren't there, so they must be in the viewfinder. Now these specs weren't too bad but me being slightly OCD i had to remove them. I proceded to remove the clip that holds the focussing screen and Condenser Lens in, then removed the screen and lens and gave them a gentle wipe with a lint free cloth. I then replaced them and checked the viewfinder. To my horror it was loads worse! With a sense of panic i did a quick Google search (i know, i know, this should have been my first port of call) and apparently the last thing you should ever do with a Matte Focussing Screen is wipe it with anything no matter how soft. Wipeing it leaves fibres and scratches on the screen. Although it doesn't effect the photos i'm pretty gutted to be honest. I've emailed Sony to get a price for a new screen but i'm expecting a stupid price so i'll probably have to live with it:thumbdown: :grumpy:

reznap · Nov 30, 2010

Get one with a split prism in it, so you can use your manual focus lenses more easily.

vtf · Nov 30, 2010

I am truly sorry but I believe you might regret telling this forum that.
Good Luck.

jamesdavidboro · Dec 1, 2010

vtf said:
I am truly sorry but I believe you might regret telling this forum that.
Good Luck.

Why??

fokker · Dec 1, 2010

To be honest I wouldn't be that worried. Good chance to upgrade to a focusing screen that allows easier manual focusing as reznap pointed out, and I don't think the price will be silly at all. A few aftermarket companies sell them, a quick google search showed these prices for the sony a350 (this particular website didn't have the a450 listed):
Focusing Screen

vtf · Dec 1, 2010

jamesdavidboro said:
vtf said:

I am truly sorry but I believe you might regret telling this forum that.
Good Luck.

Click to expand...

Why??

Ive seen these types of threads get brutal towards the OP.
I do wish you well on repairing your gear. Thanks for the heads up.

jamesdavidboro · Dec 1, 2010

Ah well, i'm a beginner and we learn by our mistakes! I'm looking for a split screen replacment (thanks Reznap!). If i hadn't made the mistake i'd have probably never known about the split screen version so, something good from something bad!

jamesdavidboro · Dec 2, 2010

Its seems a replacment focus screen of any kind is not available for the A450 :grumpy:

Pretty rediculess really. I'm trying to find out if any other models Focusing screen will fit.

kassad · Dec 2, 2010

jamesdavidboro said:
Its seems a replacment focus screen of any kind is not available for the A450 Pretty rediculess really. I'm trying to find out if any other models Focusing screen will fit.

Sadly that's one of the costs we pay for going with Sony

jamesdavidboro · Dec 2, 2010

To be honest its made me think twice about sticking with my A450. I love it and it takes great photos but not being able to get the part i need has left a bitter taste. I'm thinking of selling it and going for a Canon 550D. Problem is by scratching the Focus screen i've probably knocked about 20% off the sell on price which would leave me with a big amount of money to make up for a step sideways. Maybe i'll just wait and hope a Focus screen becomes available as they can be picked up quite easily for the older Sony models like the A700, A100 ect.

arcooke · Dec 2, 2010

You could always look around for a broken camera someone's selling for parts. Post on craigslist. You'd be surprised who has stuff they have no use for. I once had an extra lid for a charcoal grill.. posted it on craigslist, and found not one but TWO people looking for the same lid for the exact same grill.. one guy ran his over with his car.

Never hurts to try.