Viewfinder cleaning - ME Super

gazpacho · 04-02-2023, 07:32 PM

Hi!
Some idiot (that shall remain anonymous so I don’t feel like an idiot), decided to clean his camera.

It’s in full working order and I purchased it new in around 1982.

I have a succession of Pentax cameras purchased new, the last of which is K7.

I did a dumb thing. I used some kind of solvent which has affected the coating on the underside of the prismatic glass in the viewfinder. Doesn’t impact the images, but impacts me because I see the smears through the viewfinder.

Am I forever in camera purgatory or is this a sin that can be forgiven by a graceful fix?

iCloud

**Henrico** · 04-02-2023, 11:16 PM - **1 Like**

Use ethanol, but never acetone or other petrol based solvents...

From time to time there are good working ME-supers available for little on Ebay or Marketplace. I think that's the best option to get over it..

35mmfilmfan · 04-03-2023, 02:40 AM - **1 Like**

Bad luck - all I can say is many are in the same boat. At least the images are not affected. Buying another one is of course an option, but when you've owned something from new, another one will never be the same.

**vandergus** · 04-03-2023, 04:59 AM - **1 Like**

There isn't a good fix, unfortunately. The best option is replacing the focusing screen but the ME Super doesn't have the convenient flip down tray in the mirror box that a lot of cameras have. To change the screen you have to take the top cover off, do a little desoldering, then unscrew and flip up the pentaprism. Not something most camera users want to deal with. But if you send it to a camera tech, they should be able to replace it for you. The camera is probably due for a full servicing anyway. The ME Super has a bunch of rubber bumpers in the mirror mechanism that tend to break down over time and cause problems. Good luck!

Last edited by vandergus; 04-03-2023 at 06:10 AM.

**scc** · 04-03-2023, 08:43 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by gazpacho

Hi!
Some idiot (that shall remain anonymous so I don’t feel like an idiot), decided to clean his camera.

It’s in full working order and I purchased it new in around 1982.

I have a succession of Pentax cameras purchased new, the last of which is K7.

I did a dumb thing. I used some kind of solvent which has affected the coating on the underside of the prismatic glass in the viewfinder. Doesn’t impact the images, but impacts me because I see the smears through the viewfinder.

Am I forever in camera purgatory or is this a sin that can be forgiven by a graceful fix?

iCloud

So it is the focusing screen that is affected.
Did you try demineralised water to fix the smears?

**pentaxus** · 04-03-2023, 06:41 PM - **1 Like**

the focusing screen "smears' are probably caused by the focusing screen plastic being dissolved and solidifying to look like that. Sadly no fix.

gazpacho · 04-04-2023, 03:53 PM

Originally posted by scc

So it is the focusing screen that is affected.
Did you try demineralised water to fix the smears?

Yeah, it’s not coming off anytime soon. Pretty sure it is residue from the mirror light seal that has deteriorated to a sticky mess.

I can still see through it, fortunately. It is 30 years overdue for a professional service.

gazpacho · 04-04-2023, 03:55 PM

Originally posted by pentaxus

the focusing screen "smears' are probably caused by the focusing screen plastic being dissolved and solidifying to look like that. Sadly no fix.

Yep. This is my fear. Maybe I can replace the focusing screen - and by that I mean pay someone to do it for me.

gazpacho · 04-04-2023, 03:59 PM

Originally posted by vandergus

There isn't a good fix, unfortunately. The best option is replacing the focusing screen but the ME Super doesn't have the convenient flip down tray in the mirror box that a lot of cameras have. To change the screen you have to take the top cover off, do a little desoldering, then unscrew and flip up the pentaprism. Not something most camera users want to deal with. But if you send it to a camera tech, they should be able to replace it for you. The camera is probably due for a full servicing anyway. The ME Super has a bunch of rubber bumpers in the mirror mechanism that tend to break down over time and cause problems. Good luck!

I’ll look around and find someone in Sydney to take a look. The mirror seal has deteriorated. It would be nice to pick it up and use it knowing it will behave perfectly.

Thanks.

**photogem** · 04-07-2023, 01:54 AM

Originally posted by Henrico

Use ethanol, but never acetone or other petrol based solvents...

Not a good idea to use any alcohol.

Here is what Katzeye recommended:
cleaning - KatzEye Optics
cleaning - KatzEye Optics

04-02-2023, 07:32 PM	#1
gazpacho New Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Posts: 4	Viewfinder cleaning - ME Super Hi! Some idiot (that shall remain anonymous so I don’t feel like an idiot), decided to clean his camera. It’s in full working order and I purchased it new in around 1982. I have a succession of Pentax cameras purchased new, the last of which is K7. I did a dumb thing. I used some kind of solvent which has affected the coating on the underside of the prismatic glass in the viewfinder. Doesn’t impact the images, but impacts me because I see the smears through the viewfinder. Am I forever in camera purgatory or is this a sin that can be forgiven by a graceful fix? iCloud

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04-02-2023, 11:16 PM - 1 Like	#2
Henrico Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Utrecht Photos: Gallery Posts: 255	Use ethanol, but never acetone or other petrol based solvents... From time to time there are good working ME-supers available for little on Ebay or Marketplace. I think that's the best option to get over it..

04-03-2023, 02:40 AM - 1 Like	#3
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,329	Bad luck - all I can say is many are in the same boat. At least the images are not affected. Buying another one is of course an option, but when you've owned something from new, another one will never be the same.

04-03-2023, 04:59 AM - 1 Like	#4
vandergus Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Midwest Posts: 130	There isn't a good fix, unfortunately. The best option is replacing the focusing screen but the ME Super doesn't have the convenient flip down tray in the mirror box that a lot of cameras have. To change the screen you have to take the top cover off, do a little desoldering, then unscrew and flip up the pentaprism. Not something most camera users want to deal with. But if you send it to a camera tech, they should be able to replace it for you. The camera is probably due for a full servicing anyway. The ME Super has a bunch of rubber bumpers in the mirror mechanism that tend to break down over time and cause problems. Good luck! Last edited by vandergus; 04-03-2023 at 06:10 AM.

04-03-2023, 08:43 AM - 1 Like	#5
scc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 165	Originally posted by gazpacho Hi! Some idiot (that shall remain anonymous so I don’t feel like an idiot), decided to clean his camera. It’s in full working order and I purchased it new in around 1982. I have a succession of Pentax cameras purchased new, the last of which is K7. I did a dumb thing. I used some kind of solvent which has affected the coating on the underside of the prismatic glass in the viewfinder. Doesn’t impact the images, but impacts me because I see the smears through the viewfinder. Am I forever in camera purgatory or is this a sin that can be forgiven by a graceful fix? iCloud So it is the focusing screen that is affected. Did you try demineralised water to fix the smears?

04-03-2023, 06:41 PM - 1 Like	#6
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,313	the focusing screen "smears' are probably caused by the focusing screen plastic being dissolved and solidifying to look like that. Sadly no fix.

04-04-2023, 03:53 PM	#7
gazpacho New Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Originally posted by scc So it is the focusing screen that is affected. Did you try demineralised water to fix the smears? Yeah, it’s not coming off anytime soon. Pretty sure it is residue from the mirror light seal that has deteriorated to a sticky mess. I can still see through it, fortunately. It is 30 years overdue for a professional service.

04-04-2023, 03:55 PM	#8
gazpacho New Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Originally posted by pentaxus the focusing screen "smears' are probably caused by the focusing screen plastic being dissolved and solidifying to look like that. Sadly no fix. Yep. This is my fear. Maybe I can replace the focusing screen - and by that I mean pay someone to do it for me.

04-04-2023, 03:59 PM	#9
gazpacho New Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Originally posted by vandergus There isn't a good fix, unfortunately. The best option is replacing the focusing screen but the ME Super doesn't have the convenient flip down tray in the mirror box that a lot of cameras have. To change the screen you have to take the top cover off, do a little desoldering, then unscrew and flip up the pentaprism. Not something most camera users want to deal with. But if you send it to a camera tech, they should be able to replace it for you. The camera is probably due for a full servicing anyway. The ME Super has a bunch of rubber bumpers in the mirror mechanism that tend to break down over time and cause problems. Good luck! I’ll look around and find someone in Sydney to take a look. The mirror seal has deteriorated. It would be nice to pick it up and use it knowing it will behave perfectly. Thanks.

04-07-2023, 01:54 AM	#10
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	Originally posted by Henrico Use ethanol, but never acetone or other petrol based solvents... Not a good idea to use any alcohol. Here is what Katzeye recommended: cleaning - KatzEye Optics cleaning - KatzEye Optics