Huge speck on focusing screen...

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/10/2011 05:38:36 PM · #1

Ok, got my bright and shiny new 7D and love it! However, there is a HUGE speck somewhere in the complex of mirrors. I think somewhere on the inside of the focusing screen. I have a microfiber cloth and gently cleared away the areas i could reach without having to be too crazy. I even took a small q-tip to spot check a couple areas. While doing this I may have caused more problems as the back of my finger left a little grease smear from my knuckle which i then cleaned with the cloth. All of this to no avail. The viewfinder still looks great except for that speck of dust still, I'm afraid to do anything more than what I attempted.

My options are:
1. Send it back to canon for a replacement camera (just got it yesterday)
2. Keep looking on the mirrors.
3. Take it to local camera shop.
4. Live with it. (Tending toward this)

Thanks guys, be easy on me.

I have not seen it in live view or in any of the pictures so it's part of the mirror/focusing screen system.

Message edited by author 2011-12-10 17:39:22.

franktheyank

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

12/10/2011 05:40:45 PM · #2

Contact Canon and tell them about it. Ask them how they want to deal with this. Don't ignore it, it's under warranty.

Giles

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

12/10/2011 05:41:42 PM · #3

is it on your pictures or only in viewfinder? if so live with it, my 5d is filthy i pop the focussing screen out every week and give it a blow with a hand blower, never use canned air near your sensor btw

is it on the outside of the viewfinder where your eye goes?

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

12/10/2011 05:43:30 PM · #4

Originally posted by Giles_uk:

I cleaned the outside as well. It does NOT affect pictures. By the by, it takes fantastic pictures!

Message edited by author 2011-12-10 17:44:12.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

12/10/2011 05:43:41 PM · #5

First, if it is in focus, it is on the screen, not on the mirror. If it's on the screen, and the screen is replaceable, then you could carefully remove, clean and replace the screen. Not sure whether the 7D has replaceable screens.

Olympus 55mm f/1.2 Auto-S G-Zuiko

12/10/2011 05:44:41 PM · #6

Originally posted by kirbic:

Unfortunately it does not. :(

It is in very strong focus. Crisp, black, and obnoxious.

Message edited by author 2011-12-10 17:45:17.

HawkinsT

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/10/2011 05:48:32 PM · #7

I've had this before... a rocket blower (as opposed to canned air) solved it for me.

12/10/2011 05:53:19 PM · #8

Originally posted by HawkinsT:

I've had this before... a rocket blower (as opposed to canned air) solved it for me.

I need to invest in one of these for sure.

12/10/2011 06:13:08 PM · #9

I think I'll just try to live with it. I am loving the results of my new camera!

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

12/10/2011 06:16:22 PM · #10

I've had gunk appear in my viewfinder but not in pictures before. It seemed in focus regardless of where it appeared. For my D300, I've taken off the eyepiece cover and cleaned that area. If this is not your culprit, remove the lens and inspect the mirror for gunk. I've used one of those really really fine lens brushes (as well as a blower) to remove junk from the mirror. If you still see nothing, your gunk may be on the screen just above the mirror. If you're looking at your camera head on, as light would normally come through your lens, there is a screen for the pentaprism just above that. You can use the same methods (air, extremely fine brush) to clean this area, as well. If it isn't on these surfaces, it's on your sensor. Having a good magnifier like the one Copperhill sells is SUPER useful for looking at the sensor for junk.

ETA: BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WITH YOUR MIRROR!

Message edited by author 2011-12-10 18:17:28.

RamblinR

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

12/10/2011 06:44:12 PM · #11

How big is HUGE. Or does it just seem huge because you can't stop noticing it.

If it's not really that big you should become accustomed to it over a period of time and then hardly notice it at all.

I had a camera with a spec in the prism and after a while I completely forgot it was there.

Give Canon a call and see what they say otherwise it might be easier to just live with it.

12/10/2011 07:33:17 PM · #12

It only seems huge because I do notice it, I believe it is something I can live with. I just hope I didn't screw up anything else while trying to clean the mirrors, they sort of have a cloudy appearance to them, but I haven't noticed a problem while looking through the eyepiece.

12/10/2011 08:15:40 PM · #13

Originally posted by goinskiing:

Hypothetically, your mirror will never effect your IQ, though it can mess up your focus.
What did you use to clean it? I've used Eclipse to clean mine and it's never clouded, always clear as can be...

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/10/2011 08:30:56 PM · #14

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by goinskiing:
It only seems huge because I do notice it, I believe it is something I can live with. I just hope I didn't screw up anything else while trying to clean the mirrors, they sort of have a cloudy appearance to them, but I haven't noticed a problem while looking through the eyepiece.

Hypothetically, your mirror will never effect your IQ, though it can mess up your focus.
What did you use to clean it? I've used Eclipse to clean mine and it's never clouded, always clear as can be...

Microfiber cloth and q-tip. It's not really super noticeably cloudy. Focusing appears to be fine.

Message edited by author 2011-12-10 20:35:17.

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

12/10/2011 08:37:46 PM · #15

It's a new (or maybe recon based on you saying Canon) body right? Send it back for sure.....

12/10/2011 09:35:36 PM · #16

Originally posted by robs:

It's a new (or maybe recon based on you saying Canon) body right? Send it back for sure.....

It's a canon diret refurb. I'm debating whether or not I should send it in. It's perfectly functional and working fantastically. It's a tough call.

12/10/2011 09:47:07 PM · #17

Originally posted by goinskiing:

Originally posted by robs:
It's a new (or maybe recon based on you saying Canon) body right? Send it back for sure.....

It's a canon diret refurb. I'm debating whether or not I should send it in. It's perfectly functional and working fantastically. It's a tough call.

Either commit to dealing with it yourself or send it back. It doesn't really matter which you choose, they're both logical. You just need to choose one so you don't regret it later. You could always e-mail Canon if you had any doubts, as well.
It's important to be happy though, whatever that takes.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/10/2011 10:17:44 PM · #18

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by goinskiing:

Originally posted by robs:
It's a new (or maybe recon based on you saying Canon) body right? Send it back for sure.....

It's a canon diret refurb. I'm debating whether or not I should send it in. It's perfectly functional and working fantastically. It's a tough call.

Either commit to dealing with it yourself or send it back. It doesn't really matter which you choose, they're both logical. You just need to choose one so you don't regret it later. You could always e-mail Canon if you had any doubts, as well.
It's important to be happy though, whatever that takes.

I guess I have nothing to lose except a few days without a camera, so I think I'll send it in. Just need to wait until Monday.

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

12/10/2011 10:23:22 PM · #19

Well........ Looks like the 5d2's are back in stock at canon :-)

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

12/10/2011 10:23:46 PM · #20

Yeah, it's important that you're happy and don't fault yourself perpetually. Do what you're comfortable with :)

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/10/2011 10:55:51 PM · #21

Originally posted by robs:

Well........ Looks like the 5d2's are back in stock at canon :-)

Really? :-)

R.

Olympus 55mm f/1.2 Auto-S G-Zuiko

12/10/2011 11:07:56 PM · #22

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Yeah, it's important that you're happy and don't fault yourself perpetually. Do what you're comfortable with :)

I'm hoping that they'll be pretty good about it seeing that I had attempted to remove it myself and smudging up the mirrors a little bit. I just don't know how long I'll be out of a camera again if I do send it back. I wonder if they would do a repair or send another. I guess I'll find out when I call tomorrow.

HawkinsT

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/10/2011 11:08:37 PM · #23

Originally posted by robs:

Well........ Looks like the 5d2's are back in stock at canon :-)

Bah, please show me the 5d3's already Canon! I want to throw my money at you but I just can't when your more leaky parts keep hinting at a mark 3. :<

HawkinsT

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Olympus 55mm f/1.2 Auto-S G-Zuiko

12/10/2011 11:10:41 PM · #24

Originally posted by goinskiing:

I guess I have nothing to lose except a few days without a camera, so I think I'll send it in. Just need to wait until Monday.

In the meantime... buy a rocket blower! Even if it doesn't work they cost nothing and they're great to have =).