Dust on mirror?

kthung · 12-15-2008, 08:53 AM

I just picked up a used K100D super and when I look through the viewfinder i see lots of little black specks. Its there for whatever lens I use. Is it correct to believe that the dust is on the mirror then? When I take a picture, I still get dust spots but in different places (i think). If it is on the mirror, it probably doesnt affect image quality but it still bugs the heck outta me because I'm used to my K100D looking nice and clear. Im afraid to touch the mirror so whats the best way to deal with it? A blower of some sort?

rburgoss · 12-15-2008, 10:20 AM

I you can see them, then dust specs are on the focusing screen, not the mirror. Cleaning them is not easy and may lead to scratching (marking) the focusing screen.

The ONLY thing I would try myself, is to try a couple of air blasts from a rocket blower or similar WITHOUT TOUCHING the focusing screen.

I know, It is quite annoying, but it will not affect your pictures.

**Marc Sabatella** · 12-15-2008, 10:29 AM

If there are a handful of irregularly placed spots, then those would be on the focus screen, as the previous poster mentioned. However, it you see what appears to be a coating of these all over the viewfinder, that's actually the normal textured pattern of the focus screen itself - it's what allows the image to actually form on the screen, rather than passing straight through as it would a completely clear piece of plastic or glass. One normally only notices this pattern in certain types of light.