K-30 focus screen

bcorson · 02-05-2013, 12:01 PM

I had some annoying dirt/lint/?? on the focus screen and seem to have made a mess of trying to clean it in situ. Of course doesn't affect photos but I find it quite annoying.

Anybody tried removing the focus screen to replace or clean? If so how easy is it and where can instructions to do so be found?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,

Bob

VisualDarkness · 02-06-2013, 11:52 AM - **1 Like**

If it's only slightly resembling the K-5 construction (I think it is) dust gets between the focus screen and prism really easily and gets stuck. I would ray it's pretty easy to take the screen out but there is always a risk as they are very delicate.
Instructions can be found here:
--Pentax K5/K7/K10D/K20D/K30/ISTD Focusing Screen Installation Instruction--

bcorson · 02-06-2013, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

If it's only slightly resembling the K-5 construction (I think it is) dust gets between the focus screen and prism really easily and gets stuck. I would ray it's pretty easy to take the screen out but there is always a risk as they are very delicate.
Instructions can be found here:
--Pentax K5/K7/K10D/K20D/K30/ISTD Focusing Screen Installation Instruction--

Thank you!

VisualDarkness · 02-06-2013, 04:34 PM

Originally posted by bcorson

Thank you!

Just work slow and systematic and you probably will be fine. Blowing on the screen with a rocket blower when taken out should get rid of the dust. Be careful not to touch anywhere in the focusing area with the fingers or tools or the risk of damage will be sever, the small flange is a good way of holding it. Be ready if the hinge where the screen lies swings open pretty hard at occasions, happened to me but luckily my screen survived despite flying out on the table cloth.

I've learned to live with the dust in my viewfinder instead, it's way less work.

bcorson · 02-06-2013, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

Just work slow and systematic and you probably will be fine. Blowing on the screen with a rocket blower when taken out should get rid of the dust. Be careful not to touch anywhere in the focusing area with the fingers or tools or the risk of damage will be sever, the small flange is a good way of holding it. Be ready if the hinge where the screen lies swings open pretty hard at occasions, happened to me but luckily my screen survived despite flying out on the table cloth.

I've learned to live with the dust in my viewfinder instead, it's way less work.

Well in future I think I will do just that but the smudge I made in trying to clean it is a bit nasty. I may combine it with a change of the focus screen to the one with a grid. We will see.

Thanks,

Bob

MegaPower · 02-06-2013, 11:45 PM

Originally posted by bcorson

Well in future I think I will do just that but the smudge I made in trying to clean it is a bit nasty. I may combine it with a change of the focus screen to the one with a grid. We will see.

Thanks,

Bob

I changed to ML-60, the one with grid.
Very easy to change and it's very good.

geru2000 · 02-07-2013, 04:39 AM

I have this problem with th Kr. Instead of doing it myself I thought of sending it to Precision Camera for a professional cleaning. I contacted you them they responded with a base price near $250.00 plus parts if needed and shipping. Ended up doing the cleaning myself took about 45 minutes and no more garbage in the OV.

VisualDarkness · 02-07-2013, 04:45 AM

Originally posted by geru2000

I have this problem with th Kr. Instead of doing it myself I thought of sending it to Precision Camera for a professional cleaning. I contacted you them they responded with a base price near $250.00 plus parts if needed and shipping. Ended up doing the cleaning myself took about 45 minutes and no more garbage in the OV.

For cleaning? Wow, I should start a focus screen cleaning service.

bcorson · 02-07-2013, 06:49 AM

Originally posted by MegaPower

I changed to ML-60, the one with grid.
Very easy to change and it's very good.

Yup that's the one. Glad to know you like it and it was easy to do.

bcorson · 02-07-2013, 06:52 AM

Originally posted by geru2000

I have this problem with th Kr. Instead of doing it myself I thought of sending it to Precision Camera for a professional cleaning. I contacted you them they responded with a base price near $250.00 plus parts if needed and shipping. Ended up doing the cleaning myself took about 45 minutes and no more garbage in the OV.

I was told $200 but that was for a complete cleaning including sensor filter etc. Still outrageous! What did you use to clean it and did you remove the screen to do it?

02-05-2013, 12:01 PM	#1
bcorson Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kanata, ON Photos: Albums Posts: 131	K-30 focus screen I had some annoying dirt/lint/?? on the focus screen and seem to have made a mess of trying to clean it in situ. Of course doesn't affect photos but I find it quite annoying. Anybody tried removing the focus screen to replace or clean? If so how easy is it and where can instructions to do so be found? Any help appreciated. Thanks, Bob

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02-06-2013, 11:52 AM - 1 Like	#2
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	If it's only slightly resembling the K-5 construction (I think it is) dust gets between the focus screen and prism really easily and gets stuck. I would ray it's pretty easy to take the screen out but there is always a risk as they are very delicate. Instructions can be found here: --Pentax K5/K7/K10D/K20D/K30/ISTD Focusing Screen Installation Instruction--

02-06-2013, 01:56 PM	#3
bcorson Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kanata, ON Photos: Albums Posts: 131 Original Poster	Originally posted by VisualDarkness If it's only slightly resembling the K-5 construction (I think it is) dust gets between the focus screen and prism really easily and gets stuck. I would ray it's pretty easy to take the screen out but there is always a risk as they are very delicate. Instructions can be found here: --Pentax K5/K7/K10D/K20D/K30/ISTD Focusing Screen Installation Instruction-- Thank you!

02-06-2013, 04:34 PM	#4
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by bcorson Thank you! Just work slow and systematic and you probably will be fine. Blowing on the screen with a rocket blower when taken out should get rid of the dust. Be careful not to touch anywhere in the focusing area with the fingers or tools or the risk of damage will be sever, the small flange is a good way of holding it. Be ready if the hinge where the screen lies swings open pretty hard at occasions, happened to me but luckily my screen survived despite flying out on the table cloth. I've learned to live with the dust in my viewfinder instead, it's way less work.

02-06-2013, 05:42 PM	#5
bcorson Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kanata, ON Photos: Albums Posts: 131 Original Poster	Originally posted by VisualDarkness Just work slow and systematic and you probably will be fine. Blowing on the screen with a rocket blower when taken out should get rid of the dust. Be careful not to touch anywhere in the focusing area with the fingers or tools or the risk of damage will be sever, the small flange is a good way of holding it. Be ready if the hinge where the screen lies swings open pretty hard at occasions, happened to me but luckily my screen survived despite flying out on the table cloth. I've learned to live with the dust in my viewfinder instead, it's way less work. Well in future I think I will do just that but the smudge I made in trying to clean it is a bit nasty. I may combine it with a change of the focus screen to the one with a grid. We will see. Thanks, Bob

02-06-2013, 11:45 PM	#6
MegaPower Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hong Kong / Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 636	Originally posted by bcorson Well in future I think I will do just that but the smudge I made in trying to clean it is a bit nasty. I may combine it with a change of the focus screen to the one with a grid. We will see. Thanks, Bob I changed to ML-60, the one with grid. Very easy to change and it's very good.

02-07-2013, 04:39 AM	#7
geru2000 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Watertown, NY Posts: 267	I have this problem with th Kr. Instead of doing it myself I thought of sending it to Precision Camera for a professional cleaning. I contacted you them they responded with a base price near $250.00 plus parts if needed and shipping. Ended up doing the cleaning myself took about 45 minutes and no more garbage in the OV.

02-07-2013, 04:45 AM	#8
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by geru2000 I have this problem with th Kr. Instead of doing it myself I thought of sending it to Precision Camera for a professional cleaning. I contacted you them they responded with a base price near $250.00 plus parts if needed and shipping. Ended up doing the cleaning myself took about 45 minutes and no more garbage in the OV. For cleaning? Wow, I should start a focus screen cleaning service.

02-07-2013, 06:49 AM	#9
bcorson Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kanata, ON Photos: Albums Posts: 131 Original Poster	Originally posted by MegaPower I changed to ML-60, the one with grid. Very easy to change and it's very good. Yup that's the one. Glad to know you like it and it was easy to do.

02-07-2013, 06:52 AM	#10
bcorson Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kanata, ON Photos: Albums Posts: 131 Original Poster	Originally posted by geru2000 I have this problem with th Kr. Instead of doing it myself I thought of sending it to Precision Camera for a professional cleaning. I contacted you them they responded with a base price near $250.00 plus parts if needed and shipping. Ended up doing the cleaning myself took about 45 minutes and no more garbage in the OV. I was told $200 but that was for a complete cleaning including sensor filter etc. Still outrageous! What did you use to clean it and did you remove the screen to do it?