Clean a DSLR or SLR Camera Mirror -- Blower, Brush, & Tissue -- Basic Camera Care & Maintenance

[@JHurrenPhotography]

This is perfect timing. I was just changing light seals of 7 cameras. Also, that retro intro music always makes me deeply happy

[@DavidHancock]

That is perfect timing. :D

[@masanthar]

Your videos are the gift that keeps on giving. Thanks for your efforts

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@masanthar]

Thanks!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@ciprianoravet]

I was looking for this video just now! Now you uploaded it... Thank you!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@adamgreenwood1865]

Just got some Rollei cameras sent to me from Mexico off my Grandfather, great condition but very dusty, was so worried about cleaning but your video really helped, looking forward to getting some shots!

[@DavidHancock]

Fantastic!

[@johnmoore901]

My goodness, that camera has been well used to say the least, enjoyed your video.

[@DavidHancock]

I got it like that, but it's one of my favorite cameras.

[@sajgraham3408]

Excellent video. I'm thinking of using this procedure on a Canon 5d mkiv. An alternative is to apply a Visible Dust plus cleaner liquid via a dedicated Visible Dust swab. What do you think? Good idea or not so good idea?

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! I haven't used Visible Dust Plus, but I understand it to be formulated for sensors. It is likely to be okay, but test it on a small area in the corner first.

[@sajgraham3408]

@@DavidHancock Thank you David. Much appreciated.

[@crazyjakeclan7007]

Thanks for the helpt my srt 102 looks brand new! You sound like joe scott haha

[@medamasensei]

Would you clean your Nikon F3 mirror this way? Thanks for the great videos btw!

[@DavidHancock]

I would in deed. Thank you!

[@astore3757]

If rear the mirror are there the light meters sensor?

[@DavidHancock]

In some cameras. Other cameras have meter cells on the prism. Some cameras have meters on both the prism and behind the mirror.

[@solkels_z4794]

Can I use this method for the Nikon EL2?

[@DavidHancock]

I assume so. Test a small corner of the mirror first.

[@foxygrandpa8188]

Is using a zeiss microfiber cloth on the mirror not recommended?

[@DavidHancock]

I might not only because the tissue is much softer and will tear versus dragging over the mirror.

[@soren8196]

your videos are just amazing thank you

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@thewildgoose7467]

I was always under the impression that the mirror was a 'no go' area, and by simply looking at a camera's mirror in an aggressive manner I could cause it to self destruct? However I have an OM1n with a grubby mirror so decided to give your method a go. Wow! Excellent result. The camera gods didn't strike me down dead and you have just cured my mirro-phobia. Thanks for that 😉 Gorgeous Pentax with loads of brassing btw, what model is that?

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and that's an SV.

[@thewildgoose7467]

@@DavidHancock Okay David, I'll have to keep an eye out for an SV. Thanks

[@ohsashafierce3288]

Very helpful video, thanks. I have nikon f3 that I'm trying to clean. Unfortunately the mirror bumper foam deteriorated and particles have fallen onto the mirror and the focusing screen. And trying to research what would be the safest way to clean. Is there a specific type of brush I should use to clean the mirror and viewfinder glass? And do you know what thickness of mirror bumper I should apply?

[@DavidHancock]

For the mirror, the foam can be cleaned off as shown here. For the focusing screen, try a bulb blower and if that doesn't work distilled water. Chemicals will melt the fine ridges on the focusing screen and ruin it. For the mirror bumper, I have an old video on replacing light seals with cotton yarn. I think that in that video I show using adhesive-backed felt for the mirror bumper replacement. That's what I use and it works well.

[@ohsashafierce3288]

@@DavidHancock Gotcha, thank you so much. If I use distilled water, do I let it run on the focus screen or is using a microfiber cloth ok to not scratch. I've read some suggestions of using dish soap and running water works but I'm not sure I want to try that lol.

[@DavidHancock]

@@ohsashafierce3288 Good call. I would not do that. I haven't tried it, but I suspect it would be a bad idea. For the distilled water, you'll put some drops on the screen and then use a cotton swab or the corner of a paper towel to let the water absorb into it with the aim being that the water wicking action carries the debris into the swab or towel to be removed easily. If you have to scrub, you'll just smear the dirt and make it worse.

[@jd5787]

Super interesting, thanks! I noticed 2 small fungus on the mirror of an eos 550d that I bought for my kids to get their interested started on taking photos. Can I use a lens tissues dipped in ammonia/alcohol/hydrogen peroxyde (wrapped around a cotton bud) and gently tap on the fungus or am I going to damage the mirror? I have alre3bathed the camera in UVC for over 2h so the growth should be stopped. Thank you

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and I would not risk that. A couple tiny fungus spots on the mirror won't have any effect so all one the images or the camera's performance.

[@jd5787]

@@DavidHancock OK thank you. So the UVC sunbath should be enough then.

[@DavidHancock]

@@jd5787 Easily. Just using it outdoors during the day will be enough to prevent any further growth. Fungus needs darkness and moisture; take either away and it's stopped pretty well.

[@karel2249]

Do you maybe have an alternative for the lens paper that is readily available? Like a coffee filter or something?

[@DavidHancock]

Nope. The lens tissue is lint-free (mandatory) and soft enough not to damage optical glass components. I would suspect that a coffee filter, which is much stiffer and thicker, would scratch a mirror.

[@karel2249]

@@DavidHancock alright thank you for the reply!

[@karel2249]

@@DavidHancock someone told me that you can use sigarette paper, I not a smoker so I don't have any idea if that would work, what would you think?

[@DavidHancock]

@@karel2249 I also don't know. I don't think I've ever touched cigarette paper.

[@pastedtomato]

Can a (non removable) focusing screen be cleaned this way? The previous owner of my camera left a nice fingerprint on it so I would never forget him/her. I've heard that since most are made out of plastic, some cleaners can easily damage them.

[@DavidHancock]

It cannot. I'll do a video on that soon.

[@band_nerd]

Haha thank you. My canon f-1 had a little bug on it.

[@DavidHancock]

LOL. Yeah, that can happen. I've been there, too.

[@RebelwoaCause]

I wiped some dust off the mirror to my Mamiya 645. It seemed to leave some little scratches. Does that effect images ?

[@DavidHancock]

Nope

[@naturegood515]

Why risking? It flips anyway so the shot quality won't change...

[@DavidHancock]

Focusing screens are only ground on one side. If you flip it over, the focus will be WAY off between what you see in the viewfinder and what you get back in your images.