Cleaning the mirror.

I would appreciate some advice regarding cleaning the mirror on my film camera.I wondered whether it could be done with a cotton bud and isopropyl??

Thanks
Regards
Chris

Why does it need cleaning? Unlike the sensor, which is protected by an anti-alias filter, the silvered surface of the mirror has no protection and cleaning it is a much scarier proposition. So much so that it is probably best to leave well alone or consider having it done professionally. IMHO, even delicate swabbing with a cotton bud soaked in isopropanol is likey to do lasting damage.

Best wishes,

Jon

I'd really, really think hard before doing this. I messed up when attempting this on my Super A a number of years ago. Not only did I make the stains on the mirror worse I also damaged the foam sealing around the mirror box. The camera was then, effectively, useless. So, unless you really need to do it, and know exactly what you're doing, I'd say it's infinitely better to put up with whatever crud is on the mirror rather than make the matter worse.

Adrian

I wouldn't bother. Marks on the mirror have no effect on images and can't usually be seen in the viewfinder. Plus as others have said you run a serious risk of damaging it.

Hi there,
All advice has been much appreciated.

I will leave it alone.

Regards
Chris

You've received good advice!

No need to be so squeamish. An occasional cleaning is okay.

I worked in the camera repair department at Olympus USA.
Many cameras that came in for repair had smudged mirrors.

We would wrap several layers of lens tissue around
the end of a long tweezers, and dip this in Freon.
Any good liquid lens cleaner should work as well.
Make sure it's well moistened, but not dripping wet.
Rub gently for a few seconds until the smudge is gone.

If you hold the camera mirror down and work carefully
you won't come near the focus screen or mirror bumper.

Chris

I would just use a patch of micro fibre cloth, maybe hold it in tweezers or wrap it around a chopstick etc.