Camera won't focus after cleaning with Toothpaste

Gelicalien · 07-03-2016, 08:25 PM

My camera won't take pictures in auto focus , how do I fix this??

My camera won't take pictures in auto focus after I put some toothpaste on my focus screen in attempt to clean it, was that a mistake? Help please.

Last edited by photolady95; 07-03-2016 at 11:36 PM.

**jatrax** · 07-03-2016, 09:08 PM

Telling us what camera you have might help.
I would check to see if the camera is in af mode first just as a general thing.

Wild Mark · 07-03-2016, 09:31 PM

toothpaste? Never heard of that trick - sounds scary.

**paulh** · 07-03-2016, 09:35 PM

I've used toothpaste and a Q-tip to clean a cloudy & scratched viewfinder, but the focusing screen? Yes, that does sound scary.

**AggieDad** · 07-03-2016, 10:38 PM

Toothpaste has a mild abrasive in it and is water soluble. I have used it on the car for removing small scratches, but never have I tried it on the camera.

**UncleVanya** · 07-03-2016, 10:51 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Gelicalien

My camera won't take pictures in auto focus , how do I fix this??

My camera won't take pictures in auto focus after I put some toothpaste on my focus screen in attempt to clean it, was that a mistake? Help please.

Depending on the camera the focusing screen can be replaced even if you did damage it. What camera was it and what possessed you to try this?

zoolander · 07-03-2016, 11:22 PM - **1 Like**

Has the camera tried gargling ? Camera should have better breath now !

alamo5000 · 07-03-2016, 11:52 PM - **1 Like**

It's the minty fresh fumes that are causing your problems.

freddyisaac · 07-03-2016, 11:59 PM

You forgot to floss

Giklab · 07-04-2016, 12:14 AM

Did you take the screen out of the camera?

Gelicalien · 07-04-2016, 12:40 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

Telling us what camera you have might help.
I would check to see if the camera is in af mode first just as a general thing.

I have the cannon rebel xti

Gelicalien · 07-04-2016, 12:41 AM

Originally posted by alamo5000

It's the minty fresh fumes that are causing your problems.

Would you happen to know how to fix this??

Not a Number · 07-04-2016, 12:41 AM

Toothpaste contains mild abrasives. You should avoid touching the surface of focusing screens with anything as the surface is very delicate and scratches very easily. Solvents should also be avoided. An abrasive will have changed the light transmission quality of the focus screen. There is nothing that can be done to restore the proper surface of the screen other than replacing it. AF in Liveview should still work.

Gelicalien · 07-04-2016, 12:42 AM

Originally posted by Giklab

Did you take the screen out of the camera?

Yes I did

Gelicalien · 07-04-2016, 12:44 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Toothpaste contains mild abrasives. You should avoid touching the surface of focusing screens with anything as the surface is very delicate and scratches very easily. Solvents should also be avoided. An abrasive will have changed the light transmission quality of the focus screen. There is nothing that can be done to restore the proper surface of the screen other than replacing it. AF in Liveview should still work.

I have looked everywhere for a replacement to a cannon xti focus screen and I haven't found a thing):

07-03-2016, 08:25 PM	#1
Gelicalien New Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 17	Camera won't focus after cleaning with Toothpaste My camera won't take pictures in auto focus , how do I fix this?? My camera won't take pictures in auto focus after I put some toothpaste on my focus screen in attempt to clean it, was that a mistake? Help please. Last edited by photolady95; 07-03-2016 at 11:36 PM.

07-03-2016, 09:08 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Can't focus Telling us what camera you have might help. I would check to see if the camera is in af mode first just as a general thing.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
km/k2000 won't focus	janstew	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	2	02-19-2016 08:16 PM
DA* 55 won't focus	techmulla	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	11-05-2014 08:16 PM
SMC-M 50mm f1.7 with focus ring that won't turn	gma	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	05-01-2014 03:42 PM
sigma 24-70mm won't auto focus with pentax kx	aslewis02	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	7	02-11-2011 11:43 AM
Ricoh camera won't turn on after batteries installed	penney	General Talk	4	07-26-2009 07:13 PM

07-03-2016, 09:31 PM	#3
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	toothpaste? Never heard of that trick - sounds scary.

07-03-2016, 09:35 PM	#4
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,237	I've used toothpaste and a Q-tip to clean a cloudy & scratched viewfinder, but the focusing screen? Yes, that does sound scary.

07-03-2016, 10:38 PM	#5
AggieDad Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,452	Toothpaste has a mild abrasive in it and is water soluble. I have used it on the car for removing small scratches, but never have I tried it on the camera.

07-03-2016, 10:51 PM - 1 Like	#6
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,375	Originally posted by Gelicalien My camera won't take pictures in auto focus , how do I fix this?? My camera won't take pictures in auto focus after I put some toothpaste on my focus screen in attempt to clean it, was that a mistake? Help please. Depending on the camera the focusing screen can be replaced even if you did damage it. What camera was it and what possessed you to try this?

07-03-2016, 11:22 PM - 1 Like	#7
zoolander Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Gold Coast Photos: Albums Posts: 351	Has the camera tried gargling ? Camera should have better breath now !

07-03-2016, 11:52 PM - 1 Like	#8
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	It's the minty fresh fumes that are causing your problems.

07-03-2016, 11:59 PM	#9
freddyisaac Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 81	You forgot to floss

07-04-2016, 12:14 AM	#10
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	Did you take the screen out of the camera?

07-04-2016, 12:40 AM	#11
Gelicalien New Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 17 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax Telling us what camera you have might help. I would check to see if the camera is in af mode first just as a general thing. I have the cannon rebel xti

07-04-2016, 12:41 AM	#12
Gelicalien New Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 17 Original Poster	Originally posted by alamo5000 It's the minty fresh fumes that are causing your problems. Would you happen to know how to fix this??

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-04-2016, 12:41 AM	#13
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,525	Toothpaste contains mild abrasives. You should avoid touching the surface of focusing screens with anything as the surface is very delicate and scratches very easily. Solvents should also be avoided. An abrasive will have changed the light transmission quality of the focus screen. There is nothing that can be done to restore the proper surface of the screen other than replacing it. AF in Liveview should still work.

07-04-2016, 12:42 AM	#14
Gelicalien New Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 17 Original Poster	Originally posted by Giklab Did you take the screen out of the camera? Yes I did

07-04-2016, 12:44 AM	#15
Gelicalien New Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 17 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number Toothpaste contains mild abrasives. You should avoid touching the surface of focusing screens with anything as the surface is very delicate and scratches very easily. Solvents should also be avoided. An abrasive will have changed the light transmission quality of the focus screen. There is nothing that can be done to restore the proper surface of the screen other than replacing it. AF in Liveview should still work. I have looked everywhere for a replacement to a cannon xti focus screen and I haven't found a thing):