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04-06-2014, 03:55 AM   #1
Gail
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black stuff inside lens

I have a pentax camera I haven't used in awhile because it has black stuff inside the lens. Took it to a camera shop a few years ago and they said to just buy another camera ??? There has to be a way to get the black stuff out.

04-06-2014, 05:48 AM   #2
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Could be a substance called flocking inside your lens, which was used to reduce the light reflections within the lens. With age, this flocking disintegrates and gets all over the lens elements and inside the camera.

The following thread might help:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/120-general-technical-troubleshooting/253...o-m100-f4.html
04-11-2014, 08:32 PM   #3
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They were just trying to sucker you in to buying another camera. If the black stuff is inside the lens only, then you certainly don't need to buy another body. Getting the lens cleaned out might be more expensive than simply buying another lens. I would do more research and comparison shopping if I was you.
04-15-2014, 07:08 AM   #4
Gail
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Ok, thanks. I just realized it's not in the lens, it's in the camera. Any way to clean that out ? It looks like black fuzzy stuff.

---------- Post added 04-15-2014 at 07:43 AM ----------

I can see it when I look through the view finder but don't see anything on the mirror or lens when I look inside the camera. (I don't really know much about cameras except I used to take great pics with it years ago.)

---------- Post added 04-15-2014 at 07:46 AM ----------

It's a Pentax K1000

04-15-2014, 07:50 AM   #5
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The mirror box also has flocking to reduce reflections. That might be flaking off. Use a "rocket blower" (not compressed air from a can or compressor) to blow the loose bits away. The blower also works if it's dirt or dust rather than loose flocking.

What model camera?
04-15-2014, 07:53 AM   #6
Gail
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Pentax K1000

---------- Post added 04-15-2014 at 07:55 AM ----------

Do you have to get the rocket blower in a camera shop ?
04-15-2014, 09:30 AM   #7
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Any camera shop should have the rocket blower in stock. A places like Best Buy might have it. Amazon sells it, too.

04-15-2014, 11:48 AM   #8
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The black stuff is most likely the mirror bumper foam. It starts coming apart with age. It breaks up into small black globs in the mirror box. It can be removed from the mirror box. But you should replace the bumper foam.
04-15-2014, 12:10 PM   #9
Gail
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Thankyou . Another question is what do you set the ISO numbers at ? I used to know this, and the instructions don't explain. This camera is old and I can't believe the light meter still works !

---------- Post added 04-15-2014 at 12:17 PM ----------

OK, I must have missed it. It says to set it to the type of film you use, and 125 is best for outside.
04-15-2014, 01:48 PM   #10
Gail
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Not sure if the rocket blower will work. The black stuff seems to be behind the view finder, not on the mirrors.
04-15-2014, 02:34 PM   #11
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The ISO is set to match the film you are using. Say 400 speed Kodak, set at 400.
The ISO setting tells the meter how to measure the light entering the lens.

If it is inside the focus screen area or in the upper viewfinder, the top has to be removed to clean them out.
04-16-2014, 06:45 AM   #12
Gail
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Thankyou wildlifephotog. Is that something that has to be done by a professional ? I live out in the boonies LOL
04-17-2014, 05:28 AM   #13
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If you are real handy with tools, you might tackle taking off the top. You would need the diagrams of the camera to be sure of proper assembly again.
If at all possible, ignore the fuzzies and try using the camera.
04-17-2014, 09:56 PM   #14
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If its on bottom side you can try blowing it off, but don't wipe it as you will just mess up the focusing screen or the mirror. Regular canned air will work for something this simple if you don't have a rocket blower. If the dirt is on the top of the focusing screen its too big a job unless you are REALLY handy with small mechanical things and want to pick up a set of JIS screwdriver set and some odd spanners too as I recall. Get a light seal and bumper foam kit to put in if you are that handy.

You can gauge the condition of your seals and bumpers just by taking off the lens and opening the rear door where you load film, the door will have a strip of foam along the top and bottom on the inside, and with the lens off you will see a black foam strip on the upper inside of the light box (where the mirror is) that the mirror smacks into when it swings up. Both should be springy black foam, if either are sticky or crumbly the camera needs to go in for service.
Better in that case to send it to Eric for a full CLA service, I wanna say its less than $75 on that camera and a K1000 will give you another 20 years after that sort of service, they are easily repairable cameras, not meant to be thrown away.
Eric website: Home

Last edited by PPPPPP42; 04-17-2014 at 10:14 PM.
04-17-2014, 10:08 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by First Poster Quote
Ok, thanks. I just realized it's not in the lens, it's in the camera. Any way to clean that out ? It looks like black fuzzy stuff.
If it on the mirror or on the viewfinder screen, it will not show in your pictures. If it is sticky, don't wipe it, it will smear. If it doesn't blow off, learn to ignore it.
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