Cleaning mirror

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Vertigo1

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Whilst the sensor in my 40D is fine, I'm seeing a few flecks in the viewfinder which I presume is dirt/dust on the mirror. Also, whilst shooting the other day, there was a fleck in the top left corner of the viewfinder which eventually shifted after a few shutter releases so I'm also worried that it's now floating around inside the body and could find its way onto the sensor.

What's the best way of cleaning the mirror and also making sure there isn't any (or anything big at least) loose dust or dirt floating around inside the body. Somehow, shoving the nozzle of my Dyson in there doesn't seem like a good idea :D
 
The few specs you see in the viewfinder, could actually be on the viewfinder itself not on the mirror.

With the 40D they can be removed simply enough, plenty guides on the net that shows you how to both remove and clean.
 
Hmm, possibly I spose, although the one fleck I mentioned definitely moved in response to a shutter release which suggests it was on the mirror itself.

Got any links? All I'm coming up with is sensor cleaning guides :(
 
for cleaning inside the cavity, mount camera face down on a tripod and give it a blow with a rocket blower. Be careful not to actually touch the surfaces of mirror or focus screen though. Mounting face down allows the dust to fall downwards and out of the body aswell as leaving both hands free.

I also tend to use my artic butterfly to give them a very gentle wipe too occasionally to get rid of any dust the blower hasn't dealt with, making sure it gets cleaned afterwards of course.

This is just my technique, right or wrong, and there are probably better ones ;)


Oh, should also add, the mirror's reflective surface is exactly that, ON the surface, not behind the glass like a normal mirror, so be very very careful if going anywhere near it.
 
Thanks. May just give it a blast with a blower and, if that doesn't shift the remaining flecks, look at getting it done by a service centre. Any idea how much they charge for cleaning?
 
If you can see it through the viewfinder, then it's on the underside of the focusing screen (top of the mirror chamber). It may be annoying, but won't affect your pictures.

Yv's rocket blower method sounds excellent. Remember that if you shift a spec of dirt from the viewfinder, but don't completely remove it from the mirror chamber, then it can find its way on to the sensor.

But I would be extremely careful using an Arctic Butterfly - a sensor brush - to clean the mirror or focusing screen. There are minute amounts of lubricant in there and that will make a right mess on the sensor.
 
Is this what your seeing?, *** proberly not as bad as this.

canon-eos-5d-dust.jpg
 
my 350d had dust on teh focus screen, managed to get most of it off with a rocket blower, never use anything on the focus screen though, as its soooo soft it will scratch v v easily (done that once and then had to replace the screen)

Phil
 
Wilky: yeah that's it, although as you say, not that bad!
 
Remove the lens and look towards the top of the lens mount, youll see a wee black clip.

Unclip this and Drop the focus screen out, its designed to be removed on the 40d.

Blast it and prism/ internal view finder area with a rocket blower. I try to leave a vaccum running a few inches away from the body/Lens mount area to make sure any dislogged dust is removed and not just relocated.

Drop the focus screen back into its holder and clip it up. Enjoy your much improved view for a few weeks :D

I usually do this once every couple of months to clear the crap out lol. Surely there is a more effective way of sealing it? Ive seen dust and even fibers making its way in there!
 
Clean the mirror with a blower only, I have never seen a mirror like my mk2N even a blower wont clean it so mine is going to canon for a service anyway.
 
If it's dust on the mirror then a blast of air will shift it. If not then please do not wipe with anything as if it is grease or oily waste " and these can float around too" it can mean a new mirror and these are not cheap. I speak from painful experience. As your spec is floating around I feel sure air will cure it.
 
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