[leekil]

I have a Z-1 that has a blurry/smeared viewfinder. I think someone tried to clean it inappropriately and scratched up the viewfinder. Anyone have any info about replacing that? Not sure where to get one or how to install it, if it comes to that.

[kypfer]

According to the user manual, the viewfinder screen is interchangeable, so if the problem lies there, replacing it should be as simple as finding a suitable item, either individually or from a donor camera.
Initially, however, you'll need to confirm exactly where the blurring/smearing is in the viewfinder.
Maybe the prism has been damaged or has degraded, or possibly the mirror?
Good luck.

[JohnX]

You refer to the camera as if it's new to you. Could be you simply need to adjust the viewfinder diopter for your eyesight. The adjuster is underneath the eyecup.

[Bob 256]

You refer to the camera as if it's new to you. Could be you simply need to adjust the viewfinder diopter for your eyesight. The adjuster is underneath the eyecup.

That was my first thought also, but if it's really a viewfinder problem beyond that or an issue with the screen, you might be out of luck. In most cases, the repairs would be a lot greater than finding another used copy on-line.

You might also check the outside surface of the eye-lens and see if someone somehow got some goop on it. That is cleanable with some lens cleaner and gentle pressure with a Q tip.

[pid]

... but be carefully when removing the eyecup. This one has a special design and it is hard to replace when it breaks. I am looking since a long time for one and did not find a replacemaent. Maybe someone has an idea.

[jopenmx]

The eyecup of my PZ-1p was broken , two ot three years ago. My solution was to use the eyecup of my Pentax K-1 ( it fits perfectly on Z-1p ) or the Magnifying eyecup O-ME53 , which also fits perfectly in Z-1p.

[leekil]

It's not the viewfinder *screen* it is the viewfinder glass itself -- or is it plastic? - on the back that you look through when you put your eye up to the camera? When you look through it, the image is kind of hazy with glow, like a soft-focus effect, and if you examine the viewfinder window on the back of the camera, it seems scratched up. The scratched-up look is what makes me wonder if it is plastic, rather than glass. Photos taken with it seem to come out OK, but I have only used it once, some time ago, because it is kind of annoying to use with the viewfinder the way it is.

I tried cleaning the viewfinder with lens cleaning, and that didn't help, which is why I asked about the possibility of replacing it.

[pentaxus]

Are we talking eyepiece or focusing screen? The eyepiece can get scratched and requires disassembly and a donor camera. The focusing screen is user interchangeable and sometimes the bottom of the prism can get smudged. The bottom of the prism can be carefully cleaned with a q-tip and lens cleaner.

[leekil]

The eyepiece. Do you know of instructions for replacing it? Is that a common problem, then?

[Not a Number]

The eyepiece. Do you know of instructions for replacing it? Is that a common problem, then?

The service manual is available for a nominal fee. Don't forget the parts list as well:

Product Details | Pentax Z-1 and PZ-1 Service Manual | Pentax | Service Manuals | Learn Camera Repair
Product Details | Pentax Z-1 and PZ-1 Parts List | Pentax | Service Manuals | Learn Camera Repair

[wkraus]

The eyepiece. Do you know of instructions for replacing it? Is that a common problem, then?

The eyepiece “lens” (uncoated plastic) is the major weakness of this fine camera, together with the bottom plate that tends to break next to the battery door. The plastic window got loose on my Z-1p after more than ten years of heavy use. Apparently it is just glued in. Since the diopter correction also became insufficient for my view, I replaced it with a prescription glass lens cut to size by my optician. This was about 15 years ago so I cannot describe in detail how I proceeded but I’m an utter layman in camera repairs and found it not too difficult to get the top cover off and replace the lens. You can take the whole viewfinder assembly this side of the prism out.