help with possible dust problem

[Kristine]

I went and got my camera out of its bag (it has not been used for a few weeks) to take some photos. I went outside and when looking through the viewfinder, I notice what looks like a fibre. So I think it is just the lens. Change lenses to test. It is still there. I think then maybe it is dust on the viewfinder so I get a pec-pad and give it a clean. It is still there. So then I think maybe I should clean the CCD and then proceed to clean it twice with eclipse and pec-pads then go back outside and look through the viewfinder and it is still there. It is still there. I don't think that it is dust or a fibre on the CCD becuase I can see it through the viewfinder.

I have no idea what/where it could be. I can see it when taking a photo. I have taken test shots and blown them up 300% and it is not in any of the images.

Does anyone have an idea what it could be/ how I can get rid of it?

Cheers
Kristine

[MHD]

if you can see it through the viewfinder its not on the CCD....
Have you checked the flip mirror yet?

or the LCD (which sits up above the mirror)

[gstark]

Kristine,

The fact that you can see it when you look through the viewfinder immediately eliminates the CCD as a suspect.

Look at your mirror, or (most likely) focussing screen.

I posted a link just a week or so ago showing how to clean the focussing screen; look for that in the important links section.

[Kristine]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the quick responses. I cleaned the mirror straight after I posted and was waiting for a reply, so it looks like it might be the focussing screen which I am off too read about now and then will give it a clean and see if that fixes the issue.

I didn't think that it was the CCD, I was just kind of guessing and thinking of things I could clean - I was ready to give anything a go because it was so annoying looking at it.

I will post back shortly.


Cheers
Kristine

[gstark]

Kristine,

This is the reference

http://forum.d70users.com/viewtopic.php?t=940

[Kristine]

Hi Gary

Thanks (I found it no problems). This looks more "intense" then I expected.

May take me a while.

Cheers
Kristine

[gstark]

With no lens fitted to the camera, hold it so that the viewfinder is pointing to a light source.

Looking through the lens mount opening, look closely at the focussing screen; can you see anything?

[Deano]

Kristine,

How long is your fringe?

Cheers
Dean

[Kristine]

All I have to say is that is HARD!

I followed the procedure twice.

The first time, it took me forever and I went back outside and there was marks everywhere. Took a pic - no marks on the pic.

Went back inside and cleaned again and cleaned CCD and mirror again as well. Now looks like I have the same fibre on the opposite side of the screen along with another mark (like a speck of dust or something).

Should I try it again? I am doing this in my office which is VERY clean - it is probably the most dust-free place I can find.

Kristine

[gstark]

Kristine,

What can you see when you look up into the mirror chamber at the focussing screen?

[Matt. K]

Kristine
Are you using a blower to try and dislodge the fibre? It may be better thean pecpad and eclipse for this problem.

[Kristine]

Gary

I can see the line - but I have some bad news.. which is why I took so long to reply...I have scratched the focussing screen. I'm guessing this is not a good thing to do...

Anyone know if you can get a replacement and how much a new one will set me back?

Cheers
Kristine

[birddog114]

Gary

I can see the line - but I have some bad news.. which is why I took so long to reply...I have scratched the focussing screen. I'm guessing this is not a good thing to do...

Anyone know if you can get a replacement and how much a new one will set me back?

Cheers
Kristine

Kristine,
How can you get a scratch on the focus screen? did you use something to clean it harsh? or with abrasive?
Need to know more? I can help, but yo have to send the body to me, it's tough time, need to rush otherwise you won't have the camera for the holiday.

[Kristine]

I did it with tweezers! - straight across the screen and now when you look throught the view finder the scratch is black!

[birddog114]

I did it with tweezers! - straight across the screen and now when you look throught the view finder the scratch is black!

hang on! I'll check !

[Matt. K]

Kristine
It won't affect your images...just a bloody nuisance. Should not be too difficult to repair....I could even do it myself if you can get a replacement screen. Sue other members could do it also. Keep using the camera until you get a new screen.

[birddog114]

Kristine
It won't affect your images...just a bloody nuisance. Should not be too difficult to repair....I could even do it myself if you can get a replacement screen. Sue other members could do it also. Keep using the camera until you get a new screen.

Kristine,
I've just asked one of my contact at Maxwell, it can be done easily, no drama, he can do it within day. and also wait for Poon to get back to me how much the screen cost?
Don't worry, as Matt said, no affect to your image, keep shooting ad be happy

[Kristine]

Hi Guys

Thanks so much for the help - much appreciated.

My husband keeps coming into my office to ask what is wrong and I keep saying - "oh nothing really, just trying to clean my camera"...I told him it may need to go to Sydney for extra work...hehe...

I will await for further input from you birddog, I will NEVER touch the focus screen again.

Cheers
Kristine

[gstark]

I can see the line - but I have some bad news.. which is why I took so long to reply...I have scratched the focussing screen. I'm guessing this is not a good thing to do...

Er, no ...



If you can see the line .... can you see what it actually is.

An eyelash perhaps?

[Kristine]

Er, no ...

Sad

If you can see the line .... can you see what it actually is.

An eyelash perhaps?

Thinner and much shorter than any eyelash - but does not want to move, however it does not look like a scratch or anything like that (unlike what I DID to my screen ).

I am not stressing about it now. Just going to wait for costing and get it fixed.

Cheers
Kristine

[gstark]

An insect's antennae?

I'm wondering how deep the scratch is? Could you perhaps polish it out? I'm thinking in terms of using a grinding paste, as you would when compounding a car body in a smash repairer.

[wile_E]

Sad to hear what happened to your dog and camera, Kristine.

At least you can fix the camera. I hope it doesn't take too long (and that the repair bill doesn't amount to too much)...

ps: This must be a really stoopid question, but it needs to be asked... With the lens on, how can dust get on the mirror?

[gstark]

Wile_E,

ps: This must be a really stoopid question, but it needs to be asked... With the lens on, how can dust get on the mirror?

It's not a stupid question at all.

Lenses are not airtight; they have to let air pass in order to move the elelments around. This can create vacuum and/or draught conditions within the camera body from time to time. I'm not talking huge gusts of wind, but it doesn't take much to move dust aound, does it?

If there's already some dust trapped within the body ... or perhaps something stuch to the back of a lens while you mount it ...

All manner of possibilities, including perhaps the transmission of dust from outside, through gaps in the lens, to inside.

[Kristine]

An insect's antennae?

Gary

Could be. But the damage I did to the focussing screen when the tweezers scraped across is is about 1000 times worse than the mark that I was trying to remove.

Oh well, I am in Sydney next week and will arrange with Birddog to have a repair done ASAP and then all be well again.

Sad to hear what happened to your dog and camera, Kristine.

wile_E

Yes, my dog passing was a sad event. We had her for 10.5 years. We have an awesome vet though who may it so much more bearable. He even turned up with a large floral arrangement and sympathy card on Wednesday afternoon. My husband and I were quite surprised.


Cheers
Kristine