Clean DSLR mirror?
May 29, 2019 10:03:45 #
Remove the battery. Grab your garden hose with a high pressure nozzle, ask your significant other to hold it at arms length out front, blast away (pressure wash even better), take that same significant other out to dinner after apologizing, and then shop for a new camera. An alternative? Try and ignore the call of the OCD.
May 29, 2019 10:08:52 #
47greyfox wrote:
Remove the battery. Grab your garden hose with a high pressure nozzle, ask your significant other to hold it at arms length out front, blast away (pressure wash even better), take that same significant other out to dinner after apologizing, and then shop for a new camera. An alternative? Try and ignore the call of the OCD.
Why do you need to remove the battery? You might need a pressure washer instead of just the garden hose.
May 29, 2019 10:24:33 #
been using a vacuum cleaner for years to remove dust on inside of camera and back of lens .spend $ 25 and buy a mini shop vac , remove lens , hold hose an inch away , dust will be removed , to do sensor take a 3 sec or so shot .dust is now gone .i know , people here dont like simple fixes .i dont expect any reply here .
May 29, 2019 10:25:09 #
BebuLamar wrote:
Why do you need to remove the battery? You might need a pressure washer instead of just the garden hose.
Don’t want to risk shorting something out. Just being precautionary.
May 29, 2019 10:26:51 #
May 29, 2019 10:50:22 #
Rab-Eye wrote:
I have a small spot of dust on the mirror of my D500. It is definitely on the mirror, not the sensor, and I know it will have no effect on my images. My problem is being slightly OCD, it annoys me. My options are to carefully clean it, have it cleaned professionally (but I do not want to spend $100 on it if that’s what it would cost), or get over it and just live with it. Recommendations?
My local camera shop cleans sensors for $49 so I'm sure a mirror would be less or the same.
I have seen a camera where the mirror was out of track on one side and would not go up, ok n shutter button press, which was probably a result of someone putting too much pressure on it trying to clean it somehow, so if you clean the mirror yourself be extremely careful, absolutely no pressure.
If the bulb don't clean it I take it in to the shop.
May 29, 2019 10:56:34 #
47greyfox wrote:
Don’t want to risk shorting something out. Just being precautionary.
Well let it short. It make it worthwhile. Water only is no fun.
May 29, 2019 11:28:36 #
Rab-Eye wrote:
I have a small spot of dust on the mirror of my D500. It is definitely on the mirror, not the sensor, and I know it will have no effect on my images. My problem is being slightly OCD, it annoys me. My options are to carefully clean it, have it cleaned professionally (but I do not want to spend $100 on it if that’s what it would cost), or get over it and just live with it. Recommendations?
The main things to remember about a dSLR or SLR mirror:
> It is a FRONT SURFACED mirror. It scratches VERY easily.
> It is easy to knock out of alignment, destroying accurate focus.
> Do not use canned air (compressed refrigerant) on camera mirrors, because it can leave a residue, or worse, freeze and crack your mirror.
> You can use a blower bulb such as Giottos Rocket Blower to knock surface dust off the mirror with a puff of air.
> Sticky dust is very difficult to remove without professional assistance, because you don't have tools to realign the mirror if you push it out of adjustment.
I clean my own sensors, but back when I still used dSLRs, when the mirror got dirty, I would send it to a qualified repair center for a CLA (Cleaning, Lubrication, Adjustment). That way, the moving parts got lubricated properly, the shutter was adjusted to spec, and the sensor and mirror were cleaned professionally and mirror alignment was guaranteed.
May 29, 2019 17:57:39 #
Bulb blower or “attic butterfly” which is what I use to clean my sensors about once every 6 months
May 29, 2019 18:49:25 #
I would think try the blower first. If its still there, a tiny cue tip with a touch of alcohol should do the trick. The mirror of course is not anything close to sensitive as the mirror
May 29, 2019 19:42:58 #
Rab-Eye wrote:
I have a small spot of dust on the mirror of my D500. It is definitely on the mirror, not the sensor, and I know it will have no effect on my images. My problem is being slightly OCD, it annoys me. My options are to carefully clean it, have it cleaned professionally (but I do not want to spend $100 on it if that’s what it would cost), or get over it and just live with it. Recommendations?
DSLR mirrors are VERY delicate (easily scratched), even in one such as the D500 that can handle the punishment of 10fps....you can use a light puff of air from a BLOWER bulb while holding the camera mount side down - do NOT use pressurized canned air! But this may just move the dust particles off the mirror and into the mirror box/sensor causing more issues. I think somewhere I've seen an electrostatic brush for non-contact cleaning of the mirror which would be ideal - the trick is not to touch the mirror with anything, but if you do as someone suggested with a non-lint cloth - EXTREMELY light touch ....otherwise take it to a pro.
May 29, 2019 20:28:28 #
Rab-Eye wrote:
I have a small spot of dust on the mirror of my D500. It is definitely on the mirror, not the sensor, and I know it will have no effect on my images. My problem is being slightly OCD, it annoys me. My options are to carefully clean it, have it cleaned professionally (but I do not want to spend $100 on it if that’s what it would cost), or get over it and just live with it. Recommendations?
Dear Ugly Hedge Hogger: I can relate to both aspects of the problem you face daily. When I look down at my Work ID Badge it doesn't say anything about "Camera Repair Person."
I would be more inclined to having my camera (Canon) repaired at a local reputable repair shop. I don't even do oil changes for my car. Call me lazy.
As for having Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, we all have it to some degree. It helps me in my professional life daily because of the people I work for can rely upon me. In my personal life, deviating from an established norm makes me jittery and not confident.
It is not advisable to fiddle with something like this without spending a boatload of cash later on to fix what you broke!
May 29, 2019 22:47:58 #
lamontcranston wrote:
Bingo!! There's the best reply of the morning. Three thumbs up. 
Agreed.
May 29, 2019 22:52:09 #
47greyfox wrote:
Remove the battery. Grab your garden hose with a high pressure nozzle, ask your significant other to hold it at arms length out front, blast away (pressure wash even better), take that same significant other out to dinner after apologizing, and then shop for a new camera. An alternative? Try and ignore the call of the OCD.
You’re funny (not). Why waste bandwidth and everyone’s time? You’ll end up on a lot of Ignore lists.
May 30, 2019 08:11:03 #
Rab-Eye wrote:
You’re funny (not). Why waste bandwidth and everyone’s time? You’ll end up on a lot of Ignore lists.
Didn't waste my time. A bit of humor now and then is never a bad thing, IMO. Besides, he made his point: Ignore the OCD. Probably the best advice, short of a professional cleaning. For myself, I would clean it if it bothered me enough, which it probably would, but, not everyone is comfortable trying that for the first time.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.