Visit MPB Visit MPB Visit MPB

Best way to clean dust off the K20d focussing screen?

BODYHEAT
Posted 07/07/2009 - 19:17 Link
The headline says it all. My sensor is spotless and I know we should never touch that with anything anyway, but there are a few little distracting specs on the focusing screen itself (or possibly the mirror). Obviously these don't affect photos, but are irritating. Any recommended methods to clean this?
FILM - Pentax: LX, K2 - 24/2.8, 40/2.8, 50/1.4, 120/2.8, 80-200/4.5, 28-105mm 2.8 macro, AF 280T

DIGITAL - Nikon : D300 - 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX
Anvh
Posted 07/07/2009 - 19:32 Link
Don't try to clean is my best advice, not that it is helpfull though.
I use the artic butterfly and that works quite well for both aslong as it is just dust, won't do too much with it.
Stefan
Comment Image

K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
Gwyn
Posted 07/07/2009 - 19:42 Link
Don't try and clean the mirror! leave that well alone. Cleaning the sensor with the right equipment is not a problem not is cleaning the focussing screen, which you can after all remove if you have the right tweezers, but never ever touch the mirror.
Since the dust doesn't affect the photos you take I'd leave well alone.
Edited by Gwyn: 07/07/2009 - 19:42
Karl
Posted 07/07/2009 - 19:48 Link
Mr. Sheen works fine on my K100D
BODYHEAT
Posted 07/07/2009 - 20:09 Link
The LX focussing screen was easy to remove with the tweezers and it was built like a tank anyway, but I suspect the electronic K20d is a little bit more 'sensitive' which is why I asked.

I wouldn't touch the mirror as I wouldn't wish to disrupt the fine balance
FILM - Pentax: LX, K2 - 24/2.8, 40/2.8, 50/1.4, 120/2.8, 80-200/4.5, 28-105mm 2.8 macro, AF 280T

DIGITAL - Nikon : D300 - 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX
Posted 07/07/2009 - 20:20 Link
Just leave it you'll be glad you did.I had a nightmare with mine on the k10.Sorted now though
Edited by sanderscapes: 07/07/2009 - 20:21
Hardgravity
Posted 07/07/2009 - 21:58 Link
The screen scratches easily, as I found out when mine fell out into the mirror box earlier this year!

If you MUST clean it then treat it as you did the LX, but don't use Mr Sheen as Karl suggests, the dish washer maybe...
Cheers, HG

K110+DA40, K200+DA35, K3 and a bag of lenses, bodies and other bits.

Mustn't forget the Zenits, or folders, or...

PPG entries.
BODYHEAT
Posted 08/07/2009 - 10:21 Link
Hardgravity wrote:
The screen scratches easily, as I found out when mine fell out into the mirror box earlier this year!

If you MUST clean it then treat it as you did the LX, but don't use Mr Sheen as Karl suggests, the dish washer maybe...

That's the point, the LX was built like a Sherman tank so I was less fearful. I am hoping the K7 will inherit some of that invincibility - that would be nice.
FILM - Pentax: LX, K2 - 24/2.8, 40/2.8, 50/1.4, 120/2.8, 80-200/4.5, 28-105mm 2.8 macro, AF 280T

DIGITAL - Nikon : D300 - 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX
johnriley
Posted 08/07/2009 - 10:43 Link
The screens are very soft and should not be touched. The mirror assembly can easily be knocked out of register and should also be left well alone.

This applies to all SLRs though, the LX included, so it's not the case that the DSLRs are more vulnerable in this respect.
Best regards, John
BODYHEAT
Posted 08/07/2009 - 10:47 Link
johnriley wrote:
The screens are very soft and should not be touched. The mirror assembly can easily be knocked out of register and should also be left well alone.

This applies to all SLRs though, the LX included, so it's not the case that the DSLRs are more vulnerable in this respect.

I was just talking about general handling but I agree
FILM - Pentax: LX, K2 - 24/2.8, 40/2.8, 50/1.4, 120/2.8, 80-200/4.5, 28-105mm 2.8 macro, AF 280T

DIGITAL - Nikon : D300 - 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX
Greytop
Posted 08/07/2009 - 11:06 Link
I would recommend the Arctic Butterfly but would be very careful. The likelihood is that the dust spec(s) are on the underside of your focus screen.
As everyone as pointed out however if they are minor I would leave them as they don't affect your images.
Regards Huw

flickr

Add Comment

To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.