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ColColt · 09-20-2015, 11:02 AM

I need to clean the mirror on the 6x7 but am a bit hesitant. Can someone recommend a method and/or liquid to use as to not scratch it? I have lens cleaning tissue from Kodak and their cleaning fluid. Would this work if done gently?

FantasticMrFox · 09-20-2015, 03:12 PM

Nooo, nononono ... nope. You are right to be hesitant.

The mirror is extremely fragile and can easily be scratched, according to most accounts it is even more fragile than the sensor. Do not touch it with anything, and definitely not with lens cleaning equipment. Lenses are super hard, you probably couldn't scratch a lens if you pulled tweezers over it (someone did that on Youtube and nothing happened).

I think there are special mirror cleaning kits available online, albeit quite pricey. You can blow any dust off the mirror with a blower, but that's as far as I would go.

ColColt · 09-20-2015, 03:19 PM

I sort of thought that. It appears to be specks of some sort, kind of like tiny rain drops but few. I had originally thought of blowing my breath on it and lightly going over it with lens cleaning tissue but something held me back. I did clean a mirror long ago without any repercussions but it gave me an uneasy feeling doing so. This time I didn't want to push my luck. I tried blowing it off with the Rocket blower to no avail then a few short blast from Dust Off but it did little good.

**Digitalis** · 09-20-2015, 07:42 PM

Originally posted by FantasticMrFox

the mirror is extremely fragile and can easily be scratched, according to most accounts it is even more fragile than the sensor.

The Pentax 67 does not have an imaging sensor. I use a artists fan brush to clean dust off mirrors, and mirror box components. Just be careful as there are some oiled components in the mirror box, the last thing you want is to smear oil over the mirror.

FantasticMrFox · 09-21-2015, 01:23 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

The Pentax 67 does not have an imaging sensor.

I know. But everyone knows how careful DSLRs' sensors should be handled, so I threw it in as a comparison.

**grhazelton** · 10-02-2015, 03:28 PM

Dust, etc, on the mirror has absolutely no effect on image quality! If you see specks or whatever they are probably on the viewing screen, and they have no effect on image quality. I'd absolutely leave the mirror alone!

ColColt · 10-02-2015, 03:49 PM

I realize that. It's just bothersome to look at when you're focusing.

**grhazelton** · 10-02-2015, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by ColColt

I realize that. It's just bothersome to look at when you're focusing.

Agreed. Removable screens can be cleaned, but be VERY careful. Most are plastic, as I'm sure you know, and will scratch easily. I've seen various recommendations, such as a very mild detergent and "pure" water applied with a sable brush or similar, then rinsed in distilled water and dried in a dust free environment. I imagine that other Pentaxians have better advice.

ColColt · 10-03-2015, 08:45 AM

In this case it's not the screen but the mirror...I can see stuff on it.

09-20-2015, 11:02 AM	#1
ColColt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 196	Cleaning Mirror I need to clean the mirror on the 6x7 but am a bit hesitant. Can someone recommend a method and/or liquid to use as to not scratch it? I have lens cleaning tissue from Kodak and their cleaning fluid. Would this work if done gently?

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09-20-2015, 03:12 PM	#2
FantasticMrFox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Munich Posts: 2,339	Nooo, nononono ... nope. You are right to be hesitant. The mirror is extremely fragile and can easily be scratched, according to most accounts it is even more fragile than the sensor. Do not touch it with anything, and definitely not with lens cleaning equipment. Lenses are super hard, you probably couldn't scratch a lens if you pulled tweezers over it (someone did that on Youtube and nothing happened). I think there are special mirror cleaning kits available online, albeit quite pricey. You can blow any dust off the mirror with a blower, but that's as far as I would go.

09-20-2015, 03:19 PM	#3
ColColt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 196 Original Poster	I sort of thought that. It appears to be specks of some sort, kind of like tiny rain drops but few. I had originally thought of blowing my breath on it and lightly going over it with lens cleaning tissue but something held me back. I did clean a mirror long ago without any repercussions but it gave me an uneasy feeling doing so. This time I didn't want to push my luck. I tried blowing it off with the Rocket blower to no avail then a few short blast from Dust Off but it did little good.

09-20-2015, 07:42 PM	#4
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by FantasticMrFox the mirror is extremely fragile and can easily be scratched, according to most accounts it is even more fragile than the sensor. The Pentax 67 does not have an imaging sensor. I use a artists fan brush to clean dust off mirrors, and mirror box components. Just be careful as there are some oiled components in the mirror box, the last thing you want is to smear oil over the mirror.

09-21-2015, 01:23 AM	#5
FantasticMrFox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Munich Posts: 2,339	Originally posted by Digitalis The Pentax 67 does not have an imaging sensor. I know. But everyone knows how careful DSLRs' sensors should be handled, so I threw it in as a comparison.

10-02-2015, 03:28 PM	#6
grhazelton Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jonesboro, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Dust, etc, on the mirror has absolutely no effect on image quality! If you see specks or whatever they are probably on the viewing screen, and they have no effect on image quality. I'd absolutely leave the mirror alone!

10-02-2015, 03:49 PM	#7
ColColt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 196 Original Poster	I realize that. It's just bothersome to look at when you're focusing.

10-02-2015, 07:50 PM	#8
grhazelton Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jonesboro, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Originally posted by ColColt I realize that. It's just bothersome to look at when you're focusing. Agreed. Removable screens can be cleaned, but be VERY careful. Most are plastic, as I'm sure you know, and will scratch easily. I've seen various recommendations, such as a very mild detergent and "pure" water applied with a sable brush or similar, then rinsed in distilled water and dried in a dust free environment. I imagine that other Pentaxians have better advice.

10-03-2015, 08:45 AM	#9
ColColt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 196 Original Poster	In this case it's not the screen but the mirror...I can see stuff on it.

Cleaning Mirror

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