Lots of dust on the mirror of my D50

[HuntMike]

I've recently bought a 2nd hand D50 mainly for IR stuff, but the mirror is pretty dirty.

The photo's look great though, and also the viewfinder seems to work fine, and I also lifted the mirror up with my finger and there's no visable dust on the sensor...

So, shall I try and clean the dust from the mirror or would it be better off to just leave it alone as the pictures look find and the viewfinder works?

I was thinking that the dust may eventually work it's way on to the sensor eventually, is this true? Thanks.

 

[woof woof]

Firstly I don't think that you should attempt to pick the mirror up... If you want to see or clean the sensor there should be a "sensor clean" option in your menu and this will move the mirror out of the way and open the shutter. Don't attempt this unless there is plenty of charge in your battery as if power fails things could return to their home position and be damaged if coming into contact with any swabs or anything else in the way.

I suppose that dust could come off the mirror and make it's way to the sensor so you could try giving the camera a good blow out with a rocket blower.

Opinion seems to vary about cleaning mirrors. Some say that this is a big no no and shouldn't be attempted but I've cleaned mine many many times with no ill effects at all, all that is needed is common sense and care IMVHO.

 

[HuntMike]

Ok, thanks. After downloading the manual for the D50, I can see it has a 'mirror lock-up' setting in the menu, I'll give this a try. My sensor if dust free though, so I think I'll try cleaning the mirror when I can, if only to stop the dust going on to the sensor.