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Clean DSLR mirror?
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May 28, 2019 22:19:50   #
Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana
 
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?

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May 28, 2019 22:33:18   #
LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY
 
You are the only one that can decide if you should clean it or not. None of us have any idea what your DIY skills are. Since you are asking the question I would guess that you are somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of doing it yourself. If you are not confident then get someone who is to do it. Local camera shop, Nikon service, even an experienced friend. Or, bite the bullet and do it yourself. The mirror is readily accessible and with a bit of care cleaning it should be no problem. Your call. You know your abilities better then us.

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May 28, 2019 22:51:48   #
Toment Loc: FL, IL
 
I’ve cleaned my SENSOR, and got away with it several times
If there’s no one near to help, you either get the kit and do it or erase in PP
Your choice
Good luck!
👍👍😃

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May 28, 2019 22:55:12   #
TonyBot
 
A clean, new, microfiber wipe - similar to what you would use on your camera lenses or eyeglasses - *loosely* wound into about a 10mm (~3/8") tube and *very lightly* wiped across the mirror should do it. BUT - as LFingar as stated - if you're not comfortable with it, you're best off having someone else doing it. (I'd hold the camera slightly above my head, to keep any dust falling onto the sensor.)

I have done exactly this procedure on several occasions since way back in film days. Would I do it to clean the sensor myself? Probably not!

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May 28, 2019 22:58:41   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
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?


This is a good time to deal with OCD. It doesn't affect the image, and cleaning it is only temporary - you can get crap on the mirror, the groundglass, and heaven forbid, on the sensor. The only one worth doing anything about is the sensor.

BTW, if you want to see how dirty you sensor is, set your lens to F22 or F32, focus to infinity and take a picture of an open blue sky. Then open up the image in photoshop, duplicate the layer and set its blend mode to multiply - YUCKKK!!!!

Seriously. Either resign yourself to not sweating it, or cough up the cash and get it taken care of - and plan on doing it monthly.

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May 28, 2019 22:59:09   #
Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana
 
I’ve done my sensors several times, but my understanding is doing the mirror is another matter.

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May 28, 2019 23:17:52   #
amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
 
Your camera's MIRROR is front surfaced, probably with vaporized aluminum and likely is semi-transparent to allow autofocus and/or metering to work properly. Does that sound like something you want to mess with unnecessarily? If you damage the mirror it will cost a great deal more than $100 to repair it. The mechanism that the mirror operates on is also rather delicate. So are the leaves of the shutter that sits behind the mirror. When you clean the camera's sensor, the shutter is opened and the mirror flipped up out of the way, covering the focus screen.

You are correct... any specks seen in the viewfinder will have no effect on images. Whenever a shot is taken, it's the same as when doing a sensor cleaning: The mirror is flipped up out of the way covering the focus screen and sealing off the viewfinder so that light can't get into the mirror box via the viewfinder.

Take all the test shots you like.... They won't prove anything, unless your sensor needs another cleaning (any specks on the sensor won't be visible in the viewfinder).

If you see a speck in the viewfinder and it's out of focus, it's on the mirror. If it's in focus, it's on the focusing screen.

I'd recommend using nothing more than a puff of air from a bulb blower. I never clean mine with anything more than that. If it works, great. If that doesn't dislodge the speck, leave it for now.

Personally I clean sensors when necessary. But occasionally I'll have a pro cleaning done and, if needed, leave the mirror cleaning until then.

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May 29, 2019 05:52:36   #
CO
 
There's a greater chance that dust is on the focusing screen. I've had that happen a lot. It's the rectangular plate at the top of the mirror box. Get a good filtered blower and blow some puffs of air on the focusing screen. I have the Koh Global Hepa Jet Air II blower. It has a large hepa filter, an anti-static filter, a one-way check valve, and a medical grade PVC bulb. Most blowers have a rubber bulb that can shed fine particles. The PVC bulb won't do that. If it's very stubborn, Visible Dust company makes swabs that are made to clean focusing screens. The end is at a 45 degree angle to facilitate reaching the screen.

https://www.adorama.com/cpkhjdb.html

https://www.visibledust.com/products3.php?pid=410

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May 29, 2019 06:38:43   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
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?


If blowing it off doesn't work, ignore it.

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May 29, 2019 06:43:25   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
If you scratch the mirror trying to clean it the scratch will not effect the images. It will drive you insane!

Let sleeping dogs lie.

--

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May 29, 2019 07:22:05   #
BebuLamar
 
Gene51 wrote:
This is a good time to deal with OCD. It doesn't affect the image, and cleaning it is only temporary - you can get crap on the mirror, the groundglass, and heaven forbid, on the sensor. The only one worth doing anything about is the sensor.

BTW, if you want to see how dirty you sensor is, set your lens to F22 or F32, focus to infinity and take a picture of an open blue sky. Then open up the image in photoshop, duplicate the layer and set its blend mode to multiply - YUCKKK!!!!

Seriously. Either resign yourself to not sweating it, or cough up the cash and get it taken care of - and plan on doing it monthly.
This is a good time to deal with OCD. It doesn't a... (show quote)


It's a serious OCD as the dust on the mirror can only be seen with the lens removed. You can't see dust on the mirror thru the viewfinder.

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May 29, 2019 07:30:15   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
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 if that’s what it would cost), or get over it and just live with it. Recommendations?


1.remove lens
2. hold camera upside down
3. use one of these and gently blow out obstruction
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Shop-by-Brand-Giottos/ci/4/phd/4291429298/N/4294255798?origSearch=giottos

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May 29, 2019 07:34:40   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
Mirrors in (D)SLRs are front surfaced mirrors. The silver coating isn't protected and is soft and easily scratched. I would send it to Nikon if it really bothers you.
--Bob
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?

Reply
May 29, 2019 07:58:58   #
Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana
 
Thank you all for your input. It’s much appreciated.

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May 29, 2019 09:29:57   #
lamontcranston
 
amfoto1 wrote:


I'd recommend using nothing more than a puff of air from a bulb blower. I never clean mine with anything more than that. If it works, great. If that doesn't dislodge the speck, leave it for now.



Bingo!! There's the best reply of the morning. Three thumbs up.

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