Replacing mirror dampening foam with felt?

keyofnight · 01-05-2014, 03:48 AM

Hey folks…I've searched high and low for an answer to this question: is it alright to replace an SLR's mirror dampening foam with a piece of felt? It seems to me that felt would last a lot longer than foam, and I'd avoid having to keep an eye out for when the foam inevitably turns into tar/gloop/crud/mayhem.

I've read mixed opinions about doing this: some warn that felt fibers might come loose and get into the camera's shutter mechanism, and others say their cameras are a-ok with a felt dampening pad. From what I can tell there aren't a lot of people who have tried felt instead of foam. Have any of you? What are your experiences?

JimmyDranox · 01-05-2014, 04:51 AM

I wouldn't do this. Felt hasn't the same shock absorbant characteristics as foam. So, will be no advantages, but problems, like those you've mentioned.

VisualDarkness · 01-05-2014, 05:21 AM

Not to mention that very few felts are lint free, a potential built in dust machine.

calculator01 · 01-05-2014, 08:31 AM

I would vote no, based on all the negatives you have said. Plus felt probably would not dampen near as muh. I would stick to the foam and trust that the manufacturer used a good foam in there that will serve a lifetime.

keyofnight · 01-05-2014, 02:12 PM

Thanks for all the replies!

Originally posted by JimmyDranox

I wouldn't do this. Felt hasn't the same shock absorbant characteristics as foam. So, will be no advantages, but problems, like those you've mentioned.

Well, I think the advantage is that I will not need to worry about the felt turning into mush the same way the foam does. Also, I've found that, in other applications, felts can have a nice sound-dampening effect. I imagine this might make the mirror slap a little less of a a schink and more of a thud. I wouldn't know because no one seems to have tried.

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

Not to mention that very few felts are lint free, a potential built in dust machine.

I've seen foam hold onto dust and lint too. There are a few times I've had to blow junk out of the foam bumper. I've never had dusty negs because of it, though. Lucky me, I suppose.

**DeepThrob** · 01-05-2014, 03:02 PM

Every day there seemed be a new chunk of black stuff on the focusing screen so I replaced the crumbling foam in my K2000 with a strip of rubber. It's been good for over a year now.

titrisol · 01-05-2014, 04:05 PM

Get a foam/seal replacement kit from the only and only Jon Goodman!
It will last for another 20 years

keyofnight · 01-05-2014, 04:51 PM

Originally posted by titrisol

Get a foam/seal replacement kit from the only and only Jon Goodman!

Yes, Jon makes great kits. Even still: I want to know if felt can do the job.

Jamey777 · 01-05-2014, 07:00 PM

buy a 4mm foamie for a buck or so at a fabric / craft store. you can do 100 cameras :-)

keyofnight · 01-05-2014, 07:29 PM

Originally posted by Jamey777

buy a 4mm foamie for a buck or so at a fabric / craft store. you can do 100 cameras :-)

Sure. But could a person use felt?

hks_kansei · 01-05-2014, 07:59 PM

Felt will work, but something with more dampening ability will work better.

One of my cameras has no mirror dampener of any kind, it works fine and dandy.
But, I know that it will likely break at some stage in the future, so when I can be bothered I'll add some foam.

titrisol · 01-06-2014, 06:52 AM

You could of course.... but felt will release tons of lint and overtime will be much more of a pain than a solution

Originally posted by keyofnight

Sure. But could a person use felt?

stevebrot · 01-06-2014, 12:22 PM

Considering the low price of a pre-cut custom kit for your camera (mirror bumper + seals at $10 USD from Jon Goodman), I fail to see the purpose of substitution.

Steve

stevebrot · 01-06-2014, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by keyofnight

Even still: I want to know if felt can do the job.

Short answer...no

Steve

Lloydy · 01-08-2014, 03:45 PM

I've used felt for years, probably done 20 cameras with it and had no problems at all. But your mileage might vary.

01-05-2014, 03:48 AM	#1
keyofnight Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seattle, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 128	Replacing mirror dampening foam with felt? Hey folks…I've searched high and low for an answer to this question: is it alright to replace an SLR's mirror dampening foam with a piece of felt? It seems to me that felt would last a lot longer than foam, and I'd avoid having to keep an eye out for when the foam inevitably turns into tar/gloop/crud/mayhem. I've read mixed opinions about doing this: some warn that felt fibers might come loose and get into the camera's shutter mechanism, and others say their cameras are a-ok with a felt dampening pad. From what I can tell there aren't a lot of people who have tried felt instead of foam. Have any of you? What are your experiences?

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01-05-2014, 04:51 AM	#2
JimmyDranox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ploiesti, Romania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,632	I wouldn't do this. Felt hasn't the same shock absorbant characteristics as foam. So, will be no advantages, but problems, like those you've mentioned.

01-05-2014, 05:21 AM	#3
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Not to mention that very few felts are lint free, a potential built in dust machine.

01-05-2014, 08:31 AM	#4
calculator01 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 817	I would vote no, based on all the negatives you have said. Plus felt probably would not dampen near as muh. I would stick to the foam and trust that the manufacturer used a good foam in there that will serve a lifetime.

01-05-2014, 02:12 PM	#5
keyofnight Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seattle, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 128 Original Poster	Thanks for all the replies! Originally posted by JimmyDranox I wouldn't do this. Felt hasn't the same shock absorbant characteristics as foam. So, will be no advantages, but problems, like those you've mentioned. Well, I think the advantage is that I will not need to worry about the felt turning into mush the same way the foam does. Also, I've found that, in other applications, felts can have a nice sound-dampening effect. I imagine this might make the mirror slap a little less of a a schink and more of a thud. I wouldn't know because no one seems to have tried. Originally posted by VisualDarkness Not to mention that very few felts are lint free, a potential built in dust machine. I've seen foam hold onto dust and lint too. There are a few times I've had to blow junk out of the foam bumper. I've never had dusty negs because of it, though. Lucky me, I suppose.

01-05-2014, 03:02 PM	#6
DeepThrob Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Taos, New Mexico Posts: 295	Every day there seemed be a new chunk of black stuff on the focusing screen so I replaced the crumbling foam in my K2000 with a strip of rubber. It's been good for over a year now.

01-05-2014, 04:05 PM	#7
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,853	Get a foam/seal replacement kit from the only and only Jon Goodman! It will last for another 20 years

01-05-2014, 04:51 PM	#8
keyofnight Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seattle, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 128 Original Poster	Originally posted by titrisol Get a foam/seal replacement kit from the only and only Jon Goodman! Yes, Jon makes great kits. Even still: I want to know if felt can do the job.

01-05-2014, 07:00 PM	#9
Jamey777 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 426	buy a 4mm foamie for a buck or so at a fabric / craft store. you can do 100 cameras :-)

01-05-2014, 07:29 PM	#10
keyofnight Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seattle, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 128 Original Poster	Originally posted by Jamey777 buy a 4mm foamie for a buck or so at a fabric / craft store. you can do 100 cameras :-) Sure. But could a person use felt?

01-05-2014, 07:59 PM	#11
hks_kansei Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 834	Felt will work, but something with more dampening ability will work better. One of my cameras has no mirror dampener of any kind, it works fine and dandy. But, I know that it will likely break at some stage in the future, so when I can be bothered I'll add some foam.

01-06-2014, 06:52 AM	#12
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,853	You could of course.... but felt will release tons of lint and overtime will be much more of a pain than a solution Originally posted by keyofnight Sure. But could a person use felt?

01-06-2014, 12:22 PM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Considering the low price of a pre-cut custom kit for your camera (mirror bumper + seals at $10 USD from Jon Goodman), I fail to see the purpose of substitution. Steve

01-06-2014, 12:24 PM	#14
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by keyofnight Even still: I want to know if felt can do the job. Short answer...no Steve

01-08-2014, 03:45 PM	#15
Lloydy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK Posts: 1,114	I've used felt for years, probably done 20 cameras with it and had no problems at all. But your mileage might vary.