Removing dust from viewfinder - K1 Mark II

amstel78 · 08-21-2018, 03:39 PM

Not sure how it happened but it happened; have some dust trapped between the prism and the focus screen. Whilst the manual states the focus screens are not replaceable, I've read that they can be dropped down or removed. If so, does anyone here have any instructions on how to do so? There's one black spec that's almost dead center next to the center focus point. Doesn't show in the photos but it's annoying to see on a new camera.

Worst case scenario, I'll live with it and send it in for a CLA after 12 months. At least that's what I usually did with my Canons.

**Bob 256** · 08-21-2018, 04:24 PM

I'd live with it and do as you propose. My experience with removing focus screens (and not the K1 variation with LCD elements) leads me to conclude that it is a risky process and you sometimes come away worse than you started. I would leave it to the professionals in this case.

What leads you to believe the dust is on the prism side of the focus screen? If the speck is in sharp focus, chances are it's on the image side of the screen.

Craig66 · 08-21-2018, 04:43 PM

Have you tried a air blower ? If dust can get there. A blower just might blow it out, or blow it to the side so it's not in the center.

amstel78 · 08-21-2018, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by Bob 256

I'd live with it and do as you propose. My experience with removing focus screens (and not the K1 variation with LCD elements) leads me to conclude that it is a risky process and you sometimes come away worse than you started. I would leave it to the professionals in this case.

What leads you to believe the dust is on the prism side of the focus screen? If the speck is in sharp focus, chances are it's on the image side of the screen.

I believe the dust is sandwiched between the prism and screen as diopter adjustments can move the spec in and out of focus. I've swapped screens before on my Canon 5D. I don't want to remove the screen per se; just drop the frame down so I can use the blower to dust it off. I know it's possible as someone here has already managed it, but did not provide instructions in his post: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/190-pentax-k-1/334092-focussing-screens-...ml#post3830690

Originally posted by Craig66

Have you tried a air blower ? If dust can get there. A blower just might blow it out, or blow it to the side so it's not in the center.

I think it was the rocket blower that got the dust up there in the first place! I was out and about today taking photos and had to switch lenses several times throughout the day. When I got home, I took the rocket and blew off the mirror as some particles had landed on it from when the body was exposed. The dust wasn't in the viewfinder prior to that.

Anyway, I always hold the body with the mount facing downwards when blowing out dust. In my case, a few tiny particles must have gotten up there somehow. Using the blower to the best of my ability will not dislodge the particles.

Not a Number · 08-21-2018, 04:57 PM

As far as I know the K-1 uses the same catch design on the focusing screen frame as with the APS-C bodies. You could always try PMing the OP of the thread on screen replacement and asking how he/she released the frame. The members profile shows a post in June of this year.

Craig66 · 08-21-2018, 05:12 PM

Originally posted by amstel78

I think it was the rocket blower that got the dust up there in the first place! I was out and about today taking photos and had to switch lenses several times throughout the day. When I got home, I took the rocket and blew off the mirror as some particles had landed on it from when the body was exposed. The dust wasn't in the viewfinder prior to that.

Anyway, I always hold the body with the mount facing downwards when blowing out dust. In my case, a few tiny particles must have gotten up there somehow. Using the blower to the best of my ability will not dislodge the particles.

Bugger.

I use the same technique when blowing my cameras. So far I've been lucky and not had any problems. Hope you can get it sorted. It would be very distracting/ annoying having that right in the center.

Not a Number · 08-21-2018, 05:57 PM

This may be useful:

Originally posted by npc

K-1 focusing screen is attached pretty much the same way like it is for example in K-5 ... it is actually little bit easier to remove. My K-1 came with couple of dust spots so I've removed it to blow them off and then attached it back.
The overlay is somewhere behind it, I did not had to mess with it at all.
I expect replacement focusing screens will work just fine if they are not much thicker than the original one.
If they now have the S-type for K-1 I'm going to give it a try

amstel78 · 08-21-2018, 05:59 PM - **2 Likes**

Not being familiar with the APS-C bodies, but referencing this link: --Pentax K3 K5 K7 K30 K50 K-S1 K-S2 KP focusing screen front focusing revise guide--

It appears that the latch is pulled towards the front of the camera and the frame should just drop down?

EDIT: Success!!! I decided to man up and just try. Gently lifted the silver latch up towards the mount opening and the whole frame just plopped downwards. I held the camera at a 45 degree angle so the whole thing wouldn't just come crashing down. Took a blower and puffed away. After, I gently pushed the frame back up until it latched. All the dust specs are now gone from the viewfinder.

Have to admit though... I was dreading the entire experience.

**kiwi_jono** · 08-21-2018, 06:22 PM

I have a couple of spots of dust in my K-1 viewfinder (possibly after using a blower on the sensor) and I'm also pretty careful with how I orientate the body during cleaning and also minimising lens swap times.

I'm just going to live with it personally, as even if I get rid of the dust out of the viewfinder, I suspect some will turn up again the next time I need to use the blower on the sensor (I had the same problem on my K-5). But then they are not particularly intrusive dust spots.
Pity there is no sealing under the focus screen to avoid this sort of thing.

amstel78 · 08-21-2018, 06:27 PM

Originally posted by kiwi_jono

I have a couple of spots of dust in my K-1 viewfinder (possibly after using a blower on the sensor) and I'm also pretty careful with how I orientate the body during cleaning and also minimising lens swap times.

I'm just going to live with it personally, as even if I get rid of the dust out of the viewfinder, I suspect some will turn up again the next time I need to use the blower on the sensor (I had the same problem on my K-5). But then they are not particularly intrusive dust spots.
Pity there is no sealing under the focus screen to avoid this sort of thing.

Well, if you have a pair of thin metal tweezers and a steady hand, you can get rid of the dust spots in about 2 minutes. The toughest part is summoning the courage to do it. Just go slow and be gentle and you'll be fine.

Paul the Sunman · 08-21-2018, 07:10 PM

Originally posted by amstel78

EDIT: Success!!! I decided to man up and just try. Gently lifted the silver latch up towards the mount opening and the whole frame just plopped downwards. I held the camera at a 45 degree angle so the whole thing wouldn't just come crashing down. Took a blower and puffed away. After, I gently pushed the frame back up until it latched. All the dust specs are now gone from the viewfinder.

Have to admit though... I was dreading the entire experience.

Impressive! Congratulations.

**Bruce Clark** · 08-21-2018, 08:19 PM

I have similar with K-7 and K-5 IIs. Annoying but I will live with it rather than risk damaging anything. My eyesight and dexterity are not what they used to be.

stevebrot · 08-21-2018, 08:36 PM

Originally posted by amstel78

I believe the dust is sandwiched between the prism and screen as diopter adjustments can move the spec in and out of focus.

I'm glad you got it fixed, but the moving in and out of focus with diopter adjustment is what you would expect for dust on the underside (focus side) of the screen.

Steve

Craig66 · 08-21-2018, 08:47 PM

Originally posted by amstel78

EDIT: Success!!! I decided to man up and just try. Gently lifted the silver latch up towards the mount opening and the whole frame just plopped downwards. I held the camera at a 45 degree angle so the whole thing wouldn't just come crashing down. Took a blower and puffed away. After, I gently pushed the frame back up until it latched. All the dust specs are now gone from the viewfinder.

Glad to hear you fixed it.

amstel78 · 08-22-2018, 03:48 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I'm glad you got it fixed, but the moving in and out of focus with diopter adjustment is what you would expect for dust on the underside (focus side) of the screen.

Steve

Hi Steve,

I didn't know that. I thought it would have been on the side butting up against the prism since the diopter Also adjusts the focus of the LCD overlay used to provide grid lines. Regardless, those particles are now gone after dropping the frame and blowing it out. I'm glad to know the screen isn't truly fixed in place and can be moved down for cleaning.

Best,
James

08-21-2018, 03:39 PM	#1
amstel78 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NEPA, NYC, and wherever work sends me... Photos: Albums Posts: 247	Removing dust from viewfinder - K1 Mark II Not sure how it happened but it happened; have some dust trapped between the prism and the focus screen. Whilst the manual states the focus screens are not replaceable, I've read that they can be dropped down or removed. If so, does anyone here have any instructions on how to do so? There's one black spec that's almost dead center next to the center focus point. Doesn't show in the photos but it's annoying to see on a new camera. Worst case scenario, I'll live with it and send it in for a CLA after 12 months. At least that's what I usually did with my Canons.

08-21-2018, 05:59 PM - 2 Likes	#8
amstel78 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NEPA, NYC, and wherever work sends me... Photos: Albums Posts: 247 Original Poster	Not being familiar with the APS-C bodies, but referencing this link: --Pentax K3 K5 K7 K30 K50 K-S1 K-S2 KP focusing screen front focusing revise guide-- It appears that the latch is pulled towards the front of the camera and the frame should just drop down? EDIT: Success!!! I decided to man up and just try. Gently lifted the silver latch up towards the mount opening and the whole frame just plopped downwards. I held the camera at a 45 degree angle so the whole thing wouldn't just come crashing down. Took a blower and puffed away. After, I gently pushed the frame back up until it latched. All the dust specs are now gone from the viewfinder. Have to admit though... I was dreading the entire experience. Last edited by amstel78; 08-21-2018 at 06:13 PM.

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08-21-2018, 04:24 PM	#2
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	I'd live with it and do as you propose. My experience with removing focus screens (and not the K1 variation with LCD elements) leads me to conclude that it is a risky process and you sometimes come away worse than you started. I would leave it to the professionals in this case. What leads you to believe the dust is on the prism side of the focus screen? If the speck is in sharp focus, chances are it's on the image side of the screen.

08-21-2018, 04:43 PM	#3
Craig66 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sapphire Coast. NSW. Posts: 141	Have you tried a air blower ? If dust can get there. A blower just might blow it out, or blow it to the side so it's not in the center.

08-21-2018, 04:48 PM	#4
amstel78 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NEPA, NYC, and wherever work sends me... Photos: Albums Posts: 247 Original Poster	Originally posted by Bob 256 I'd live with it and do as you propose. My experience with removing focus screens (and not the K1 variation with LCD elements) leads me to conclude that it is a risky process and you sometimes come away worse than you started. I would leave it to the professionals in this case. What leads you to believe the dust is on the prism side of the focus screen? If the speck is in sharp focus, chances are it's on the image side of the screen. I believe the dust is sandwiched between the prism and screen as diopter adjustments can move the spec in and out of focus. I've swapped screens before on my Canon 5D. I don't want to remove the screen per se; just drop the frame down so I can use the blower to dust it off. I know it's possible as someone here has already managed it, but did not provide instructions in his post: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/190-pentax-k-1/334092-focussing-screens-...ml#post3830690 Originally posted by Craig66 Have you tried a air blower ? If dust can get there. A blower just might blow it out, or blow it to the side so it's not in the center. I think it was the rocket blower that got the dust up there in the first place! I was out and about today taking photos and had to switch lenses several times throughout the day. When I got home, I took the rocket and blew off the mirror as some particles had landed on it from when the body was exposed. The dust wasn't in the viewfinder prior to that. Anyway, I always hold the body with the mount facing downwards when blowing out dust. In my case, a few tiny particles must have gotten up there somehow. Using the blower to the best of my ability will not dislodge the particles.

08-21-2018, 04:57 PM	#5
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	As far as I know the K-1 uses the same catch design on the focusing screen frame as with the APS-C bodies. You could always try PMing the OP of the thread on screen replacement and asking how he/she released the frame. The members profile shows a post in June of this year.

08-21-2018, 05:12 PM	#6
Craig66 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sapphire Coast. NSW. Posts: 141	Originally posted by amstel78 I think it was the rocket blower that got the dust up there in the first place! I was out and about today taking photos and had to switch lenses several times throughout the day. When I got home, I took the rocket and blew off the mirror as some particles had landed on it from when the body was exposed. The dust wasn't in the viewfinder prior to that. Anyway, I always hold the body with the mount facing downwards when blowing out dust. In my case, a few tiny particles must have gotten up there somehow. Using the blower to the best of my ability will not dislodge the particles. Bugger. I use the same technique when blowing my cameras. So far I've been lucky and not had any problems. Hope you can get it sorted. It would be very distracting/ annoying having that right in the center.

08-21-2018, 05:57 PM	#7
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	This may be useful: Originally posted by npc K-1 focusing screen is attached pretty much the same way like it is for example in K-5 ... it is actually little bit easier to remove. My K-1 came with couple of dust spots so I've removed it to blow them off and then attached it back. The overlay is somewhere behind it, I did not had to mess with it at all. I expect replacement focusing screens will work just fine if they are not much thicker than the original one. If they now have the S-type for K-1 I'm going to give it a try

08-21-2018, 06:22 PM	#9
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	I have a couple of spots of dust in my K-1 viewfinder (possibly after using a blower on the sensor) and I'm also pretty careful with how I orientate the body during cleaning and also minimising lens swap times. I'm just going to live with it personally, as even if I get rid of the dust out of the viewfinder, I suspect some will turn up again the next time I need to use the blower on the sensor (I had the same problem on my K-5). But then they are not particularly intrusive dust spots. Pity there is no sealing under the focus screen to avoid this sort of thing.

08-21-2018, 06:27 PM	#10
amstel78 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NEPA, NYC, and wherever work sends me... Photos: Albums Posts: 247 Original Poster	Originally posted by kiwi_jono I have a couple of spots of dust in my K-1 viewfinder (possibly after using a blower on the sensor) and I'm also pretty careful with how I orientate the body during cleaning and also minimising lens swap times. I'm just going to live with it personally, as even if I get rid of the dust out of the viewfinder, I suspect some will turn up again the next time I need to use the blower on the sensor (I had the same problem on my K-5). But then they are not particularly intrusive dust spots. Pity there is no sealing under the focus screen to avoid this sort of thing. Well, if you have a pair of thin metal tweezers and a steady hand, you can get rid of the dust spots in about 2 minutes. The toughest part is summoning the courage to do it. Just go slow and be gentle and you'll be fine.

08-21-2018, 07:10 PM	#11
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Originally posted by amstel78 EDIT: Success!!! I decided to man up and just try. Gently lifted the silver latch up towards the mount opening and the whole frame just plopped downwards. I held the camera at a 45 degree angle so the whole thing wouldn't just come crashing down. Took a blower and puffed away. After, I gently pushed the frame back up until it latched. All the dust specs are now gone from the viewfinder. Have to admit though... I was dreading the entire experience. Impressive! Congratulations.

08-21-2018, 08:19 PM	#12
Bruce Clark Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ocean Grove, Victoria Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,458	I have similar with K-7 and K-5 IIs. Annoying but I will live with it rather than risk damaging anything. My eyesight and dexterity are not what they used to be.

08-21-2018, 08:36 PM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by amstel78 I believe the dust is sandwiched between the prism and screen as diopter adjustments can move the spec in and out of focus. I'm glad you got it fixed, but the moving in and out of focus with diopter adjustment is what you would expect for dust on the underside (focus side) of the screen. Steve

08-21-2018, 08:47 PM	#14
Craig66 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sapphire Coast. NSW. Posts: 141	Originally posted by amstel78 EDIT: Success!!! I decided to man up and just try. Gently lifted the silver latch up towards the mount opening and the whole frame just plopped downwards. I held the camera at a 45 degree angle so the whole thing wouldn't just come crashing down. Took a blower and puffed away. After, I gently pushed the frame back up until it latched. All the dust specs are now gone from the viewfinder. Glad to hear you fixed it.

08-22-2018, 03:48 AM	#15
amstel78 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NEPA, NYC, and wherever work sends me... Photos: Albums Posts: 247 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot I'm glad you got it fixed, but the moving in and out of focus with diopter adjustment is what you would expect for dust on the underside (focus side) of the screen. Steve Hi Steve, I didn't know that. I thought it would have been on the side butting up against the prism since the diopter Also adjusts the focus of the LCD overlay used to provide grid lines. Regardless, those particles are now gone after dropping the frame and blowing it out. I'm glad to know the screen isn't truly fixed in place and can be moved down for cleaning. Best, James