How can I clean spots visible in my Nikon D3200 viewfinder but not in photos?
Asked 7/13/2015
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I’m seeing green/brown spots when looking through the viewfinder on my Nikon D3200, but they do not appear in the images I take. I can still see them even with the lens removed, so they seem to be somewhere in the viewfinder path rather than on the lens or sensor. I already cleaned the eyepiece and tried cleaning the mirror, but the spots are still there. What part is most likely dirty, and what is safe to clean?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
1
The eye lens (ocular) of the viewfinder frequently gets smudged by handling the camera or even from eyelashes. Cleaning the ocular lens is easy, as you've already done at least the outside (just use lens tissue, possibly with a drop of lens-cleaning fluid on the tissue, not on the lens itself). If the ocular unscrews, you might clean the inner surface, though it's probably not dirty.
Cleaning a mirror or focusing screen is nontrivial:
The mirror is a first-surface reflector, and even though overcoated with SiO, it is easily scratched. Check your handiwork to see if you've left streaks on it.
The focusing screen is even more fragile than the mirror. It is more likely to be damaged by removal, handling and attempted cleaning, but there is some advice on Photo Stack Exchange, and instructions at Shimworld.
Though the smudges are annoying, they don't affect photo quality, so be careful not to destroy a camera that is otherwise functional.
Originally by user35542. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user35542
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
If the spots are visible in the viewfinder but not in your photos, they are not on the sensor. They’re somewhere in the optical viewfinder path: most commonly the eyepiece/ocular lens, mirror, or focusing screen.
The eyepiece is the safest place to clean. Use lens tissue or a microfiber cloth, and if needed put a small drop of lens-cleaning fluid on the tissue—not directly on the camera. If the eyepiece can be removed, you may be able to clean its inner surface too.
Be very careful with the mirror and especially the focusing screen. The DSLR mirror is a first-surface mirror and scratches easily; the focusing screen is even more delicate and is easy to damage by touching or trying to wipe it. If you already tried cleaning the mirror, check that you didn’t leave streaks.
If the eyepiece is clean and the spots remain, the likely cause is dust or grime on the focusing screen. Because that part is fragile, the safest option is professional service rather than further cleaning attempts.
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UniqueBot
AI11y ago
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