Cleaning DLSR mirror?
Discussion
Can anyone advise the best way to clean a DLSR mirror? Reading on the Internet seems some people say you should never touch it some say is OK. I have a couple of bits of muck that won't shift by blowing air onto it. I have some sensor cleaning swabs but am wary of touching the surface with anything.
Any help greatly appreciated
Any help greatly appreciated
I too would never touch it. I've sent mine off to the pros to get it cleaned once, and that worked - but a year or so later dust was back. Especially if you change lenses a lot.
It doesn't take long to remove the dust marks on the image (especially in Lightroom). Just goes with the territory.
It doesn't take long to remove the dust marks on the image (especially in Lightroom). Just goes with the territory.
Tony1963 said:
GetCarter said:
It doesn't take long to remove the dust marks on the image (especially in Lightroom). Just goes with the territory.
The op has gunk on the mirror. You're on about the sensor. Gunk on the mirror doesn't affect images at all. 
The problem here is that the mirror is coated with aluminium. Almost any contact with it with permanently mark it, and that will likely be visible through the viewfinder. If it really is annoying you, enquire at a regional independent camera repair/servicing company for a quote to clean. You might be pleasantly surprised at the cost.
Sensors are easy to clean, as the almost all have a tough filter over them. You can be quite firm while cleaning persistent gunk off the sensor if you have the correct gear.
Sensors are easy to clean, as the almost all have a tough filter over them. You can be quite firm while cleaning persistent gunk off the sensor if you have the correct gear.
Tony1963 said:
The problem here is that the mirror is coated with aluminium. Almost any contact with it with permanently mark it, and that will likely be visible through the viewfinder. If it really is annoying you, enquire at a regional independent camera repair/servicing company for a quote to clean. You might be pleasantly surprised at the cost.
Sensors are easy to clean, as the almost all have a tough filter over them. You can be quite firm while cleaning persistent gunk off the sensor if you have the correct gear.
Thanks I will look into this but will tolerate it for now whilst the weather is good!Sensors are easy to clean, as the almost all have a tough filter over them. You can be quite firm while cleaning persistent gunk off the sensor if you have the correct gear.
Don't be scared. Just be sensible.
Given that your DSLR has an economic life of around five years, a few marks can easily be lived with. After the five years you are likely to want to replace it, ad a few marks will not hurt its value.
The risk is, indeed, that you scratch the delicate surface. It is a 'front surface' mirror where the reflective material is on the surface, rather than being safely behind glass. If you do mark it, you will only affect the image that you see and not what the camera record.
When cleaning it use a piece of kitchen roll or q-tip. Just do not use the same piece twice. If you have picked up any grit, then you will scratch the mirror as yo drag the paper back over the mirror. I find that branded Windowlene is very effective and dries nicely too.
Given that your DSLR has an economic life of around five years, a few marks can easily be lived with. After the five years you are likely to want to replace it, ad a few marks will not hurt its value.
The risk is, indeed, that you scratch the delicate surface. It is a 'front surface' mirror where the reflective material is on the surface, rather than being safely behind glass. If you do mark it, you will only affect the image that you see and not what the camera record.
When cleaning it use a piece of kitchen roll or q-tip. Just do not use the same piece twice. If you have picked up any grit, then you will scratch the mirror as yo drag the paper back over the mirror. I find that branded Windowlene is very effective and dries nicely too.
gck303 said:
Don't be scared. Just be sensible.
Given that your DSLR has an economic life of around five years, a few marks can easily be lived with. After the five years you are likely to want to replace it, ad a few marks will not hurt its value.
The risk is, indeed, that you scratch the delicate surface. It is a 'front surface' mirror where the reflective material is on the surface, rather than being safely behind glass. If you do mark it, you will only affect the image that you see and not what the camera record.
When cleaning it use a piece of kitchen roll or q-tip. Just do not use the same piece twice. If you have picked up any grit, then you will scratch the mirror as yo drag the paper back over the mirror. I find that branded Windowlene is very effective and dries nicely too.
I was with you until the last paragraph. Kitchen roll and Windowlene will not be going anywhere near my camera!Given that your DSLR has an economic life of around five years, a few marks can easily be lived with. After the five years you are likely to want to replace it, ad a few marks will not hurt its value.
The risk is, indeed, that you scratch the delicate surface. It is a 'front surface' mirror where the reflective material is on the surface, rather than being safely behind glass. If you do mark it, you will only affect the image that you see and not what the camera record.
When cleaning it use a piece of kitchen roll or q-tip. Just do not use the same piece twice. If you have picked up any grit, then you will scratch the mirror as yo drag the paper back over the mirror. I find that branded Windowlene is very effective and dries nicely too.
gck303 said:
Don't be scared. Just be sensible.
Given that your DSLR has an economic life of around five years, a few marks can easily be lived with. After the five years you are likely to want to replace it, ad a few marks will not hurt its value.
The risk is, indeed, that you scratch the delicate surface. It is a 'front surface' mirror where the reflective material is on the surface, rather than being safely behind glass. If you do mark it, you will only affect the image that you see and not what the camera record.
When cleaning it use a piece of kitchen roll or q-tip. Just do not use the same piece twice. If you have picked up any grit, then you will scratch the mirror as yo drag the paper back over the mirror. I find that branded Windowlene is very effective and dries nicely too.
DO NOT DO THIS... Do not put kitchen roll or Q-Tips anywhere near your sensor. Given that your DSLR has an economic life of around five years, a few marks can easily be lived with. After the five years you are likely to want to replace it, ad a few marks will not hurt its value.
The risk is, indeed, that you scratch the delicate surface. It is a 'front surface' mirror where the reflective material is on the surface, rather than being safely behind glass. If you do mark it, you will only affect the image that you see and not what the camera record.
When cleaning it use a piece of kitchen roll or q-tip. Just do not use the same piece twice. If you have picked up any grit, then you will scratch the mirror as yo drag the paper back over the mirror. I find that branded Windowlene is very effective and dries nicely too.
Get yourself a hand held air blower (manual, not in a can) and give it a couple good goes with that whilst pointing the sensor at the floor. Should remove most of the dust inside, if not, you can buy special sensor cleaners but I'd be looking to take it to a shop. Some shops like Calumet do open days and often offer free sensor cleaning if you go along.
You may or may not know this, but when changing lenses make sure the camera is off. The sensor will vibrate and have a current through it when the camera is on causing dust, dirt and grit to attract to it. Changing lenses with the camera off cuts the current and vibrations and helps reduce attracted dust.
Also, dust in your view finder doesn't always show up in final RAW files, to test this put a lens on somewhere around F9 and shoot a blank white piece of paper with perfect exposure. You should be able to tweak contrast/clarity to pick out any dust spots.
On one of my 5D3's theres a large grit particle in the top left corner in the VW, but never shows up in RAW files. The paper test helped me realise this... Canon CPS couldn't even remove this dirt without me paying extra when it went in for service.
ashleyman said:
You may or may not know this, but when changing lenses make sure the camera is off. The sensor will vibrate and have a current through it when the camera is on causing dust, dirt and grit to attract to it. Changing lenses with the camera off cuts the current and vibrations and helps reduce attracted dust.
I believe the sensor has a charge when the camera is on - but 'vibrating' as well?qska said:
You're all wrong.
OP has a dirty focusing screen.
The advice is yes - to never clean them.
They can be replaced (quite cheap as well) on some/most DSLRs, depending on the model.
HTH.
The dirt is on the mirror I can see it when I remove the lens. The general concensus is to get it cleaned professionally. At the moment I shall live with it as I don't want to be with out my camera and it's not affecting my images. If and when the sensor gets dirty I will send it to be cleaned.OP has a dirty focusing screen.
The advice is yes - to never clean them.
They can be replaced (quite cheap as well) on some/most DSLRs, depending on the model.
HTH.
Richjam said:
The dirt is on the mirror I can see it when I remove the lens. The general concensus is to get it cleaned professionally. At the moment I shall live with it as I don't want to be with out my camera and it's not affecting my images. If and when the sensor gets dirty I will send it to be cleaned.
Sounds like a wet clean is in order then...Yeah, I'd send it in in that case, although mirrors are much tougher than they seem (and not critical for picture taking).
But the focusing screens are incredibly fragile, even more so than the sensors.
I've cleaned the mirror / sensor and upper glass many many times without a problem as long as you take proper precautions.
I use the same swabs for the mirror/upper glass that I use on the sensors with the same fluid.
Keeping your camera pointed downwards when switching on/off helps keep the dust off the sensor.
I use the same swabs for the mirror/upper glass that I use on the sensors with the same fluid.
Keeping your camera pointed downwards when switching on/off helps keep the dust off the sensor.
crmcatee said:
I've cleaned the mirror / sensor and upper glass many many times without a problem as long as you take proper precautions.
I use the same swabs for the mirror/upper glass that I use on the sensors with the same fluid.
Keeping your camera pointed downwards when switching on/off helps keep the dust off the sensor.
This was my original intention as I had brought some sensor cleaning swabs assuming the mirror could be done the same way. Going on most of the posts it sounds to risky to try.I use the same swabs for the mirror/upper glass that I use on the sensors with the same fluid.
Keeping your camera pointed downwards when switching on/off helps keep the dust off the sensor.
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