*ist blurry viewfinder repair replacement

korimako · 05-27-2010, 05:38 PM

I had some water enter my viewfinder/diopter (Oregon) and before it dried, I tried cleaning it too hard resulting in a nice blurry patch in the center of my viewfinder lens. BE WARNED to clean those VERY GENTLY.

Anyway after reading some other posts and courtesy of Owen sending me a replacement viewfinder, it was a rather simple fix. Owen previously posted that he paid $12 for a replacement from Pentax - let me know if anyone orders one and what the part number might be. Here's the original thread with an exploded parts diagram.

The fix: (this was for my spare istDL but imagine others should be similar.
Remove 7 screws - Two under the popup flash, two beside the viewfinder. The outermost one inside the battery compartment, one below the dial on the left side of camera (viewed from back) and one below the neck strap tab on the right.
The screws are of various sizes, keep note of which goes where.

The top of the camera will now lift off, but is still attached by wires and ribbons: see picture below. The view finder assembly is probably removable, but the outermost lens is easily changed without that step. The outer piece of black plastic is held on with double sided tape, pry this cover gently off. (This is already removed in the camera picture, see pic of separate pieces below) Then there are four clips that hold the outermost viewfinder lens in, gently undo those four clips, the old will slid out, pop in the new one, and put it back together.

thanks to Owen..

Rick

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Adam · 05-27-2010, 05:40 PM

Should I move this to the DIY section in the articles? Seems like more of a reference than a discussion to me

korimako · 05-27-2010, 11:03 PM

where ever it belongs is fine - yeah meant as a reference that I couldn't find when I wanted it...

(you can delete this post if you move it)

Adam · 05-28-2010, 11:36 AM

Copied it to here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-camera-articles/102950-*ist-b...placement.html

This thread can remain here for discussion.

Adam
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05-27-2010, 05:40 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Should I move this to the DIY section in the articles? Seems like more of a reference than a discussion to me 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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05-27-2010, 11:03 PM	#3
korimako New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oregon Photos: Gallery Posts: 21 Original Poster	where ever it belongs is fine - yeah meant as a reference that I couldn't find when I wanted it... (you can delete this post if you move it)

05-28-2010, 11:36 AM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Copied it to here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-camera-articles/102950-ist-b...placement.html This thread can remain here for discussion. 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: