Sony a350 - Dust in viewfinder

[sony_photographer_jake]

Hi,

I have been using my camera and recently I have noticed that there are large blobs and lines that look like dust fibers appearing on the screen {Live view}. I looked at the camera sensor and it is immaculate. So I looked at the mirror that is immaculate aswell. Then I looked at the viewfinder and I can't see any visible dust. I got a cotton swab and gently wiped over it and it has made it worse. Is there any way to get rid of the dust on the viewfinder.

[matt wilson]

Gently with a hand/rocket blower .Push too hard and you could dislodge the focus screen.A fine brush may help.I had similar on my 50d (it does not affect the image but it was irritating )

The more you try and remove manually by rubbing a focussing screen (it's rough ,)the more likely you are to make things worse.

Compressed air can contain propellants that can cause damage though I believe Kenro are safe it's not something I have used personally.

[sony_photographer_jake]

Picked up a rocket blower and tried to blow the dust of with it. Tried rubbing with a lint free cloth and also tried a brush gently going from side to side but it seems the viewfinder is pretty "caked" in dust.

[chris-p]

If you can see it in liveview, it ain't in the viewfinder.

Can you see it in the recorded image?
Can you only see it on the screen using liveview or can you see it when reviewing your shots?

If it's only visible when the camera is in liveview mode then it could be stuff on the secondary liveview sensor that Sony use. You'd have a bit of a job cleaning it to be honest...

[sony_photographer_jake]

I can see the dust in live view. I don't think I can see the dust in my shots, I took a few shots of some very light clouds and my white wall and I reviewed and inspected the images and can't see the dust spots. It's visible in viewfinder and live view.

[michaelb104]

Not really sure what I’m talking about but is the dust on the focus screen, which I think can be removed (would aid cleaning).

Have a look here on how to replace one http://www.focusingscreen.com/

[chris-p]

Word of warning - not all focus screens are designed to be removable!

If you can see it in liveview and the viewfinder then it's something weird. I'd also suggest the focusing screen because the light path for liveview has to go through it on Sony cameras.
Also, you said you'd already wiped it and smeared it so that suggests it's there as well. You need some proper cleaning equipment though - you can't just use cotton buds and stuff or you'll leave fluff and dust everywhere. Try some ROR fluid on a microfibre cloth or PecPad - that works pretty well

[sony_photographer_jake]

Where is the focusing screen? I tried cotton buds and it left dust on the viewfinder. Will try what you suggested. Would it be expensive to send the camera for cleaning?

[chris-p]

This is where the focusing screen is (ignore the magnified section)...



Never use cotton buds to clean the inside of the camera. If you want to clean it you ought to buy some proper cleaning products - they don't have to be expensive and you won't spread dust, oil or solvents around the inside.

Get yourself a proper blower (£8), some PEC pads (£10) and some ROR fluid (£4). Use the blower to clean out the inside of the camera (around the mirrorbox), drop a small amount of ROR fluid onto a PEC pad and carefully wipe the focusing screen.

[matt wilson]

Where is the focusing screen? I tried cotton buds and it left dust on the viewfinder. Will try what you suggested. Would it be expensive to send the camera for cleaning?

Jake if you are not sure what you are doing then leave it .



A lot of places do sensor cleaning while you wait I would be tempted to go in and get it all cleaned .And it shouldn't cost an arm and a leg.