Dust particles when looking through viewfinder - no lens fitted.

Touchwood · 12-14-2012, 09:46 PM

I have a KX and just returned from a trip.
When I look through the viewfinder pointed at a light source I can see a lot of small dust particles.
The camera is off with lens removed.
I have cleaned the viewfinder, mirror and prism from below but the particles are still there. It seems as though they are located above the prism.
They just arrived there. The camera is always kept in a protected bag and is used with the standard lens 90% on the time so I don't remove it often.
Is there a way to check if the dust is sitting on top of the prism -or access to that area?
Any ideas.

Much appreciated.

SpecialK · 12-14-2012, 09:50 PM

It is likely on top of the focusing screen and will not affect anything. You'd have to remove the screen to get to it.

**patrick9** · 12-14-2012, 09:55 PM

Have you tried a rocket blower? I have used one to rid the dust from my viewfinder a couple of times.

calculator01 · 12-14-2012, 10:23 PM

+1 To the rocket blower to rid dust on the focusing screen

Touchwood · 12-14-2012, 10:36 PM

"SpecialK"
"It is likely on top of the focusing screen and will not affect anything. You'd have to remove the screen to get to it."

On the KX - How difficult is it to access the top of the focusing screen?

Thanks guys - Rocket Blower on my Christmas wish list if I can find an Aussie store who carries them or good old Ebay to the rescue I guess.

stevebrot · 12-15-2012, 01:00 AM

Originally posted by Touchwood

On the KX - How difficult is it to access the top of the focusing screen?

Depends on whether you have a KX or a K-x. Screen removal on the KX (35mm film SLR) requires partial dis-assembly and is best done by a technician. Doing the same on a K-x (APS-C digital SLR) is a lot easier, but still carries some risk, the largest part of which is leaving the screen dustier after you are done than it started out!

Steve

BTW...regardless of which camera you own, take particular care with both the mirror and the focus screen. Both are fragile and easily scratched and should generally not be touched. A rocket blower is the preferred tool.

Touchwood · 12-15-2012, 03:35 AM

Thanks Steve - it is a K-x (APS-C digital SLR) .

Is there a thread you could point me to that shows the body disassembly.

Regards and thanks

David

vladimiroltean · 12-15-2012, 04:22 AM

PENTAX K100D / K200D / K2000D / K-m / K-x / K-r Focusing Screen Installation Instruction
But do try the blower first.

**mgvh** · 12-15-2012, 11:30 AM

I have the same dust-in-the-viewfinder issue w/ my K-x. I've tried the Rocket Blower. I looked at the disassembly instructions. I've decided to live w/ the dust...

Touchwood · 12-15-2012, 07:36 PM

Thanks guys your information and instructions gratefully appreciated.

12-14-2012, 09:46 PM	#1
Touchwood New Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 10	Dust particles when looking through viewfinder - no lens fitted. I have a KX and just returned from a trip. When I look through the viewfinder pointed at a light source I can see a lot of small dust particles. The camera is off with lens removed. I have cleaned the viewfinder, mirror and prism from below but the particles are still there. It seems as though they are located above the prism. They just arrived there. The camera is always kept in a protected bag and is used with the standard lens 90% on the time so I don't remove it often. Is there a way to check if the dust is sitting on top of the prism -or access to that area? Any ideas. Much appreciated.

12-15-2012, 03:35 AM	#7
Touchwood New Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 10 Original Poster	Dust on Screen Thanks Steve - it is a K-x (APS-C digital SLR) . Is there a thread you could point me to that shows the body disassembly. Regards and thanks David

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Viewfinder dust	ChucK20D	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	4	07-25-2012 05:28 AM
Small piece of dust while viewing through the Viewfinder	brosen	Pentax DSLR Discussion	13	08-28-2010 01:19 PM
Is Dust/Particles a problem with the K20D?	jack56	Pentax DSLR Discussion	13	08-12-2009 02:47 PM
Dust particles	JMR	Post Your Photos!	2	08-07-2008 06:50 AM
Any tricks to minimize dust when changing lens.	pcarfan	Pentax DSLR Discussion	7	09-25-2007 06:59 PM

12-14-2012, 09:50 PM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	It is likely on top of the focusing screen and will not affect anything. You'd have to remove the screen to get to it.

12-14-2012, 09:55 PM	#3
patrick9 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Murfreesboro Tennessee Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,458	Have you tried a rocket blower? I have used one to rid the dust from my viewfinder a couple of times.

12-14-2012, 10:23 PM	#4
calculator01 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 817	+1 To the rocket blower to rid dust on the focusing screen

12-14-2012, 10:36 PM	#5
Touchwood New Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 10 Original Poster	"SpecialK" "It is likely on top of the focusing screen and will not affect anything. You'd have to remove the screen to get to it." On the KX - How difficult is it to access the top of the focusing screen? Thanks guys - Rocket Blower on my Christmas wish list if I can find an Aussie store who carries them or good old Ebay to the rescue I guess.

12-15-2012, 01:00 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Touchwood On the KX - How difficult is it to access the top of the focusing screen? Depends on whether you have a KX or a K-x. Screen removal on the KX (35mm film SLR) requires partial dis-assembly and is best done by a technician. Doing the same on a K-x (APS-C digital SLR) is a lot easier, but still carries some risk, the largest part of which is leaving the screen dustier after you are done than it started out! Steve BTW...regardless of which camera you own, take particular care with both the mirror and the focus screen. Both are fragile and easily scratched and should generally not be touched. A rocket blower is the preferred tool.

12-15-2012, 04:22 AM	#8
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465	PENTAX K100D / K200D / K2000D / K-m / K-x / K-r Focusing Screen Installation Instruction But do try the blower first.

12-15-2012, 11:30 AM	#9
mgvh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,029	I have the same dust-in-the-viewfinder issue w/ my K-x. I've tried the Rocket Blower. I looked at the disassembly instructions. I've decided to live w/ the dust...

12-15-2012, 07:36 PM	#10
Touchwood New Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 10 Original Poster	Thanks guys your information and instructions gratefully appreciated.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search