Mirror Cleaning?

[mom2rtk]

I have a piece of debris on my mirror of my T2i and it's driving me nuts. I know it doesn't really matter, but that's just me........ I know it's the mirror becuause it's the same when I change lenses, and it's not in the photos I take.

I tried several times to get it off with my rocket blower and it won't budge. Is this something I could clean myself, or is it just not worth it if I don't really know what I'm doing? There really aren't any camera shops close by that I could take it to.

 

[zackiedawg]

It could actually be the mirror, or it could be inside the viewfinder binnacle/box, on the focus grid/screen, or inside the viewfinder glass. If it's something you see all the time no matter the lens, but doesn't show up in the photos, then it's somewhere above. If the rocket blower isn't getting it - you might need to try blowing more up, above the mirror, around the focus screen. If it still doesn't work, a static sensor cleaning brush can often help removing something from the mirror or focus screen - if it got inside the viewfinder window itself, that's more complex, and involves taking out the focus screen which may or may not be easy/possible on your model. At that point, I'd probably leave it alone! Make sure when trying to clean something off the mirror or focus screen that the camera ISN'T in cleaning mode...cleaning mode is for getting at the sensor, by flipping the mirror up, so that obviously wouldn't let you get at the mirror surface and the focus grid screen above it. I have a small piece of dust or debris that got up into my viewfinder box, right on the inside of the viewfinder glass - I just leave it alone as it's more trouble to remove than it's worth on a 2 year old camera! But I have successfully gotten dust off the focus grid and mirror before, usually with my sensor brush (to avoid blowing anything more into the viewfinder chamber).

 

[mom2rtk]

It could actually be the mirror, or it could be inside the viewfinder binnacle/box, on the focus grid/screen, or inside the viewfinder glass. If it's something you see all the time no matter the lens, but doesn't show up in the photos, then it's somewhere above. If the rocket blower isn't getting it - you might need to try blowing more up, above the mirror, around the focus screen. If it still doesn't work, a static sensor cleaning brush can often help removing something from the mirror or focus screen - if it got inside the viewfinder window itself, that's more complex, and involves taking out the focus screen which may or may not be easy/possible on your model. At that point, I'd probably leave it alone! Make sure when trying to clean something off the mirror or focus screen that the camera ISN'T in cleaning mode...cleaning mode is for getting at the sensor, by flipping the mirror up, so that obviously wouldn't let you get at the mirror surface and the focus grid screen above it. I have a small piece of dust or debris that got up into my viewfinder box, right on the inside of the viewfinder glass - I just leave it alone as it's more trouble to remove than it's worth on a 2 year old camera! But I have successfully gotten dust off the focus grid and mirror before, usually with my sensor brush (to avoid blowing anything more into the viewfinder chamber).

Great thoughts! I was so "focused" On it being on the mirror that the other possibilities never occurred to me. And you know what? I just got it. Thanks a bunch!

 

[pjacobi]

Be extremely care with the reflex mirror because it is a "first surface" mirror, i.e. the reflective coating is on the top surface and can easily be scratched off!

This type of mirror is different than a bathroom mirror, where the reflective material is on the back surface.


-Paul

 

[mom2rtk]

Be extremely care with the reflex mirror because it is a "first surface" mirror, i.e. the reflective coating is on the top surface and can easily be scratched off!

This type of mirror is different than a bathroom mirror, where the reflective material is on the back surface.


-Paul

That's helpful to know. Sounds like my first instinct to not touch it under any circumstances were good! I'm glad I was able to blow away whatever was in there.

Thanks again!