Cleaning K-50

Mrs340 · 06-08-2019, 12:39 PM

What do you all recommend as the best cleaning kit? I have dust specks on my mirrors (Pentax k-50) they are driving me insane. Is it better to have it professionally cleaned or do the kits do the job?

Thanks!

35mmfilmfan · 06-08-2019, 02:16 PM - **1 Like**

By no means an expert (on anything), but if the dust is only on the mirror, just live with it, it'll not affect image quality. The sensor, on the other hand is a different matter - I once used a cleaning kit on mine, then had to pay for it to be professionally cleaned as well. In future, I'll let the experts do it.

**BigMackCam** · 06-08-2019, 03:40 PM - **1 Like**

Dust on the mirror is highly unlikely to be visible through the viewfinder, and won't affect your photos either. Dust on, or behind, the focusing screen might be visible through the viewfinder. Dust on the sensor will appear on images, depending on the aperture setting you use.

When are you noticing dust? Let us know, and we'll be able to help

**pentaxus** · 06-08-2019, 10:11 PM - **1 Like**

Many times, people think dust on the focusing screen is on the mirror. Dust on the focusing screen and the mirror doesn't affect pictures, just as BigMackCam says. It is just annoying. You can't see dust on the sensor by looking through the viewfinder.

Adam · 06-08-2019, 11:07 PM - **2 Likes**

I would recommend starting with a rocket blower. If there's just dust on the focusing screen, this would be a quick, easy, and safe way to get rid of it.

Mrs340 · 06-09-2019, 07:12 AM

Thank you all for the help. I can see the dust specks on my pictures. It is at the top of the photo. I took this picture of the sky. I tried the dust removal option of the camera, but it has not helped at all.

Adam · 06-09-2019, 07:21 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Mrs340

Thank you all for the help. I can see the dust specks on my pictures. It is at the top of the photo. I took this picture of the sky. I tried the dust removal option of the camera, but it has not helped at all.

It looks like there's a good amount of dust on the sensor. You can start by using a rocket blower (while in sensor cleaning mode), but if this doesn't help, a professional cleaning might be the way to go.

You can also do the cleaning yourself if you have a cleaning kit, but many people prefer not to do this on their own.

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

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Adam · 06-09-2019, 07:22 AM - **1 Like**

Here's a guide on how to do a full cleaning on your own:

Cleaning Your DSLR Sensor - Tutorial Videos | PentaxForums.com

photolady95 · 06-10-2019, 05:04 AM - **1 Like**

And after you get it clean, set the up the options to clean dust for on at start up and for shut off, on your camera, you'll have less dust this way, and changing lenses, hold the camera opening down towards the ground while installing the lens will help keep dust from getting into the camera, too.

I have my K-50 set to clean dust set up at start up and shut down. I've not seen any dust so far.

Mrs340 · 06-24-2019, 06:57 AM

Thank you all so much! I think I have decided to have it professionally cleaned.

stillshot2 · 06-24-2019, 11:12 AM

It wouldn't hurt to try a blower before getting it professionally cleaned. It's not too hard to do and I've had good success with one using one on a K30. My K-3 on the other hand, never gets dust on the sensor so I think its dust removal system works much better.

06-08-2019, 12:39 PM	#1
Mrs340 New Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 10	Cleaning K-50 What do you all recommend as the best cleaning kit? I have dust specks on my mirrors (Pentax k-50) they are driving me insane. Is it better to have it professionally cleaned or do the kits do the job? Thanks!

06-08-2019, 11:07 PM - 2 Likes	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	I would recommend starting with a rocket blower. If there's just dust on the focusing screen, this would be a quick, easy, and safe way to get rid of it. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

06-09-2019, 07:22 AM - 1 Like	#8
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Here's a guide on how to do a full cleaning on your own: Cleaning Your DSLR Sensor - Tutorial Videos \| PentaxForums.com Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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06-08-2019, 02:16 PM - 1 Like	#2
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,329	By no means an expert (on anything), but if the dust is only on the mirror, just live with it, it'll not affect image quality. The sensor, on the other hand is a different matter - I once used a cleaning kit on mine, then had to pay for it to be professionally cleaned as well. In future, I'll let the experts do it.

06-08-2019, 03:40 PM - 1 Like	#3
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,674	Dust on the mirror is highly unlikely to be visible through the viewfinder, and won't affect your photos either. Dust on, or behind, the focusing screen might be visible through the viewfinder. Dust on the sensor will appear on images, depending on the aperture setting you use. When are you noticing dust? Let us know, and we'll be able to help

06-08-2019, 10:11 PM - 1 Like	#4
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,313	Many times, people think dust on the focusing screen is on the mirror. Dust on the focusing screen and the mirror doesn't affect pictures, just as BigMackCam says. It is just annoying. You can't see dust on the sensor by looking through the viewfinder.

06-09-2019, 07:21 AM - 1 Like	#7
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by Mrs340 Thank you all for the help. I can see the dust specks on my pictures. It is at the top of the photo. I took this picture of the sky. I tried the dust removal option of the camera, but it has not helped at all. It looks like there's a good amount of dust on the sensor. You can start by using a rocket blower (while in sensor cleaning mode), but if this doesn't help, a professional cleaning might be the way to go. You can also do the cleaning yourself if you have a cleaning kit, but many people prefer not to do this on their own. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

06-10-2019, 05:04 AM - 1 Like	#9
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	And after you get it clean, set the up the options to clean dust for on at start up and for shut off, on your camera, you'll have less dust this way, and changing lenses, hold the camera opening down towards the ground while installing the lens will help keep dust from getting into the camera, too. I have my K-50 set to clean dust set up at start up and shut down. I've not seen any dust so far.

06-24-2019, 06:57 AM	#10
Mrs340 New Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 10 Original Poster	Thank you all so much! I think I have decided to have it professionally cleaned.

06-24-2019, 11:12 AM	#11
stillshot2 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,070	It wouldn't hurt to try a blower before getting it professionally cleaned. It's not too hard to do and I've had good success with one using one on a K30. My K-3 on the other hand, never gets dust on the sensor so I think its dust removal system works much better.