Cleaning a Film or Digital Camera Body, Viewfinder, and Mirror with Camera-friendly Chemicals

[@farias0]

I will trust this man with my firstborn child

[@Maartenols]

Don't, he is using alcohol... ;)

[@HighlyAkicktive]

Just wanted to leave some more feedback on your video. This and your further explanation had been extremely helpful to remove some old mirror bumper gunk that was on the edges of my mirror. Using rubbing alcohol on a sensor swab and just swiping very gently has helped to completely remove it! I'm glad you did this video :)

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and well done on the cleanup!

[@ghw7192]

When I managed a camra store, we would have a camera repair service come in and do free camera cleanings. They used a 50/50 mixture of ether and alcohol for external cleaning, but in Manila during the Viet Nam war, a military photographer said they would remove the prism finder and screen, take the top bottom covers and off their Nikon F's and pour cheap Russian vodka through to clean the cameras. Works on Minolta SRT's droped in lakes! DO NOT TRY THIS WITH MODERN CAMERAS! LOL! Great video, as always. Thanks

[@DavidHancock]

Old cameras could take so much abuse. :D

[@alfepalfe]

The manual for my Konica autoreflex T3 says the same thing. "In the event that it is marred with fingerprints or water drops, prepare a piece of well washed, clean cotton cloth and dampen it with a small quantity of absolute alcohol (it is advisable to mix it with ether)." Konica autoreflex T3 manual, page 79

[@atl_mx5]

That’s hilarious. Any tips for cleaning mold out of the Nikon F case back? Under the shutter pressure plate?

[@futureg1rl]

@@alfepalfeI’m knee deep in my t3 right now 😅 it was the first camera I ever bought myself. It’s all fixed up now, but I doubt I’ll get that light meter going again. Seems like surgery to even get near the connections haha

[@alfepalfe]

@@futureg1rl It's not *that* hard. Removing the rewind crank isn't too hard, the wind lever a bit trickier, and the exposure dial, not as hard as I would have expected. After that if I recall correctly the top just comes off and you can access the meter. Working on the meter however, anything but calibrating the variable resistors, now *that* seems hard.

[@elijahwolter9235]

Thank you for this video, I just received an ae1 and the light seals are shot in the camera and above the mirror. It has gotten all over the mirror. I have looked and looked and have asked questions and everyone recommended taking it to a camera shop. This videos has given me the confidence to do it myself. Thank you!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@sparetime2475]

I am here for the exact same reason lmao! I hope yours turned out well!

[@elijahwolter9235]

@@sparetime2475 It actually did! This was the very first camera i ever worked on also. This video was an amazing resource! Remember take your time! This is something that you absolutly cannot rush.

[@rickd4159]

Just picked up an AV-1 and was looking for a perfect way to learn to clean my new camera. Thank you so much!!!

[@DavidHancock]

@@rickd4159 thank you!

[@kevinparkes417]

I've found that anti-viral wipes which contain alcohol are ideal for cleaning larger areas. They are also good for removing the rubberised coating some manufacturers used on their camera bodies for a while which goes horribly sticky over time. Just a little patience and care required and the underlying plastic usually looks just as good as the original finish.

[@DavidHancock]

Good idea and yeah, those would be perfect.

[@adelina-805]

Super helpful!! found my parents' old canon AE1 in the garage, can't wait to start using it!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@tomazvajngerl1321]

Sounds like you found a treasure :)

[@adelina-805]

@@tomazvajngerl1321 I know :D just bought some film and I'm pretty sure everything still works!

[@W3TW4R3]

The amount of times you have saved my life David. Thank You!

[@DavidHancock]

If cleaning a camera saves your life, your life is far more exciting than mine. :D I hope there was at least a countdown you had to beat.

[@davidkelsey2864]

That is great. I sometimes use the tiny Alcowipes in the sachets like the ones they use to clean your skin when you have a blood test. You can get a box of 100 at the pharmacy. They are handy to carry a few in your camera bag and are fairly gentle but effective for removing dirt.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@l.e.contxx]

Recently picked up a Minolta x 700 and this video really helped out In getting the camera clean. Thank you! When it comes to cleaning the pressure plate inside the film area of the camera, would you recommend using isopropyl alcohol? The area is slightly sticky, possibly due to some film from the previous owner.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and as for cleaning the plate, that's how I do it.

[@skyl4697]

Soo i dug out my dads old minolta x-370 and it was covered in dirt and dust and when you look in the view finder, there are specs of something, would that show up on pictures at all or is there a way to clean it out? Ive switched lenses to see if it was just a dirty lens, but its still there:( also, there are tiny scratches on the mirror, is that something that’s replaceable?

[@DavidHancock]

For the prism artifacts, those look like small, black flecks in sharp focus, correct? They will not be on your images. Those are only in the prism and are due to the silver coating on the glass failing. The only fix for that is to replace the prism (which would require a professional repair as it's a good deal of disassembly.) For the mirror, unless there is actual silver missing, then you're fine. The images and viewfinder image will be unaffected.

[@jourdensand8612]

Hi, great video! Can I use ethyl alchohol instead of isopropyl for the optics?

[@DavidHancock]

I don't know. I haven't ever tried.

[@HighlyAkicktive]

Could you also use one of those sensor cleaning swabs to clean the mirror, or are those to coarse? Can you also use rubbing alcohol to entirely clean the mirror or would you recommend the lens solution like you did? Also, would you recommend using a dry piece of that cleaning cloth to remove the cleaning solution? Thanks!

[@DavidHancock]

I would think so, but those tend to be more expensive than cotton swabs and you're likely to use a lot of those. For rubbing alcohol, that can take silver off a surface-coated mirror. There is a coating on SLR mirrors and using on tricky substances like gooey mirror bumper foam that has caused a smear on the mirror will probably be okay, but in general, on the very rare occasions that the mirror needs to be cleaned (as in only when dirty and if you leave a lens or body cap on you can go many years without cleaning the mirror) a lens cleaning solution is the best option. For reusable cloth, I do not use them at all, not on camera gear, not on my glasses. If they get some dirt in them, that dirt can be there to scratch an optical surface every time you use it.

[@HighlyAkicktive]

@@DavidHancock thanks a ton, that does help already! I meant an unused fresh dry sensor cleaning cloth to remove lens cleaning fluid. Sorry if that was unclear 😊. I have nasty spots of old mirror bumper foam in the front edges, so your recommendation was dead on what I was looking for

[@kevinaweseom2866]

Hey buddy, your videos are top teir , you helped me and alot of people out.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you, Kevin!

[@vhfgamer]

Haha, I like how you're using an old Kodak film developer tin to hold your Q tips.

[@DavidHancock]

:D

[@anthonyocarroll5630]

What do you use to clean the body

[@DavidHancock]

I think I go over the supplies starting around 30 seconds into the video.

[@etei4120]

fantastic video. I just have one question, I scratched the bottom of my camera when I put it on a rough surface. is there a way to polish off the scratch marks? thank you

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and if there is an easy way I'm unfamiliar with it for cameras. Cameras are plated so if they scratch that plating is removed. Replacing it would require plating removal, scratch grinding, and re-plating. There are videos from other makers, mostly for things like Hot Wheels rehab, showing this. Red Line Restoration (I think that's the channel name) shows some processes for that with Hot Wheels.

[@etei4120]

@@DavidHancock thanks heaps for replying promptly, I will look into this.

[@OccultDemonCassette]

What about restoring metal on a camera body that appears to be tarnished

[@DavidHancock]

That's outside of my wheelhouse. I'd check out videos for tool or toy restorations as the processes should be somewhat similar.

[@marionjansen1374]

I want to get a wide angle lense for cannon 350D. I am however totally befuddled by which mount thread 58mm 55mm???? And what's the difference, lense, lense Adapter? Help please I'm completely new to this. Marion

[@DavidHancock]

I can help with that. For 55mm and 58mm, you're probably looking at the filter thread on the front of the lens. That would be the diameter of the front thread. A wide-angle lens on APS-C would be in the 10-20mm range. If you're looking for Canon only lenses, there are some good wide-angle zoom options. If you're open to non-Canon lenses, check out the Samyang 10mm, which is a manual-focus lens.

[@farnoushsohbati]

Thank you for all your tutorials. I have a question regarding the black foam, mine keeps shedding (like little dots of the camera light seals keep appearing on my mirror) how can I get rid of the them? Thanks!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! Check out my video on replacing light seals with cotton yarn and that will run through how to fix that. It's a quick and easy fix,

[@farnoushsohbati]

@@DavidHancock omg thank you so much!!

[@DETROIT12345678933]

Also use a paint brush and get into tight spaces. Like PC connector and so on.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@zaliazaharin3554]

Hi idk if u still reply to this but why can't I see through my film camera viewfinder???

[@DavidHancock]

What kind of camera do you have?

[@matthewpage3248]

Hi David - would you clean the focal pane yourself? Do you have any advice for when that part's dirty? Thanks!

[@DavidHancock]

I have, but they typically do not need it. I use isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab and gently dab up grease. For vertical-travel shutters, because they are never fabric curtains, extra care is needed to prevent the shutter leaves from getting in the wrong rail and jamming.

[@kathreenmirate389]

Just cleaned my ae1 program and mamiya 645 pro. I used Altura cleaning spray and the tissue that comes with it. I left some spray water streaks in the internal mirror. Will it affect the shooting? Thanks

[@DavidHancock]

Not at all. It might make the viewfinder imperceptibly less sharp when you focus.

[@danielspence5625]

How did that work out for you? I want to clean my RB67 myself but I'm really nervous.

[@ellerichofficial]

After doing exactly as u told I have dark spots on my focus screen. It’s after I cleaned the mirror. What do I do I’m panicking thank u

[@DavidHancock]

A few questions and I might be able to help diagnose that: 1- What model camera? 2- Looking through the viewfinder, are the black spots or areas in sharp relief regardless of the lens' focus point? Do they look like they are between your eye and the what you see through the lens?

[@theastewart6721]

Great video! I just got one and it’s got spots in it as I look through the view finder. I tried to clean it and made it worse. I am going to call a camera shop and see if they will clean the mirror. If it’s ridiculously expensive I’ll try this. I’m just afraid I’ll make it even worse, lol. Thanks for a great tutorial!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! If the spots are black, like flecks in clear detail, then they may be due to coating failure on the prism and that requires a prism replacement.

[@theastewart6721]

Thank you. It’s amazing how little help there is around here in Massachusetts for the SLR. I think I’m going to have to try and clean it myself. Thanks again!

[@ethandeguzman1902]

I used a make up brush to clean the mirror would the mirror inside be scratched?

[@DavidHancock]

I doubt it. I wouldn't recommend using a make-up brush that's been used, however.

[@RickyGomez]

I just got a Pentax K1000, a friend of mine just gave it like for free.. but it need to be clean.. my question is, it’s my first time with this type of camera, how do I verify if it’s good to shoot? Just try ?

[@DavidHancock]

I have a complete video manual series on the K1000. Watch those and compare the camera's performance to the one in that video.

[@mollycorak2936]

How do you clean the shutter of a film camera? If it’s dirty, will the film be affected?

[@DavidHancock]

Hmm. That's a tough question. It depends on the type of shutter and the type of dirt. What kind of camera do you have and what kind of dirt is on the shutter?

[@fernystreetzz370]

Nice tutorial! Also if the shutter curtain has dirt in it do i clean it using cotton swaps and rudding alcohol on it?

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! You can, but don't press too hard. Shutter dirt isn't a huge issue.

[@reddevil211287]

Could I clean the mirror of an Nikon F3 in the same way? I read some mirrors have a silver coating thats sensitive to even a bulb air blower

[@DavidHancock]

Not exactly. I would use a lens tissue and some lens cleaner.

[@reddevil211287]

@@DavidHancock Thanks David! I'm going to try that now :)

[@philhodgkinson1460]

No sensor swabs on mirror??

[@DavidHancock]

I don't like to use anything that puts pressure on the mirror, no. These being surface-coated are prone to damage from cleaning methods that would be fine for a regular mirror or glass-protected sensor.

[@atl_mx5]

Thanks 🙏

[@Jake-wb3ob]

Thank you very much for the explanation

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@Katiedoan88]

How do you get the dust out of the focusing screen? Thank you!

[@DavidHancock]

A rocket blaster if it's loose, a cotton swab to lift (not smear or press) if the rocket or bulb blaster fails, and lastly a cotton swab with distilled water used as described above can help.

[@dianeschuller]

very well explained. thank you.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@catkub5848]

Question for you: how do you get a bad camera seal off of the portion above the mirror ? Same thing as the mirror? I’ve tried and the streaking is still evident

[@DavidHancock]

You likely can't. I have a video on focus screen cleaning, too.

[@buzarin]

Hi! Cleaned a Kodak Retinette viewfinder with alcohol isopropyl and it is ruined. It looks very dark-foggy and difficult to see trough. Didn’t follow your video. Got here after, when trying to find a solution. Anyway, I thought it might help others.

[@DavidHancock]

Ouch. Yeah, that would have been best with lens cleaning fluid. But I'm surprised it's foggy as I thought those had glass viewfinder optics.

[@alvin3171997]

Hi David, I just bought a Minolta srt 303 camera. I found that the edge of the inside mirror is not clean, should I clean it with a cloth too? I read somewhere in a forum where people said mirror shouldn’t be wiped at all.

[@DavidHancock]

If you're gentle it's okay. When I clean mirrors I bunch up a lens cleaning tissue and spray it with lens cleaning fluid. Then gently wipe the mirror clean.

[@alvin3171997]

@@DavidHancock thank you for relying. Another question, the internal of the camera smells a bit like fungus, is there’s a way to remove the smell completely?

[@jonych575]

How would you recommend to clean the grip and leather parts of the back of the camera?

[@DavidHancock]

I use rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs. So far it's worked well.

[@mrdasboot45]

Be careful with alcohol, I cleaned a retina with a cotton swap and alcohol and I tried cleaning the frame counter thinking it had glass in the window. It hadn’t and I rubbed of some of the numbers.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! I haven't run into that before. I wonder wat kind of paint they used.

[@mrdasboot45]

@@DavidHancock probably more a problem for older camera’s circa 1950 / 1960 then for newer camera’s like the ones you showed in the video

[@user-ve3gh5xg9q]

cotton chopsticks. Propyl alcohol. Pear. Cotton balls. microfiber. technical felt. brushes and you will clean everything💪

[@andre5452]

How do I clean fungus off the viewfinder?

[@DavidHancock]

Cotton swabs and 91% rubbing alcohol followed by lens cleaner and lens tissue. Be gentle with the cotton swabs.

[@rcraigbateman]

Just bought an Oly pen F... Is it ok to clean the mirrors?

[@DavidHancock]

Should be but always check on a tiny part off to the corner.

[@Ricardo-SW]

The digital Pen F or the original (film) Pen? Pen F is mirrorless, just the sensor. OK to clean that if following recommended procedures/materials.

[@tustelpaman]

How to make body camera look doff again?

[@DavidHancock]

I'd suggest looking at restoration-focused channels for that. Channels that restore old toys, model cars, and How Wheels will have better restoration tips than I can provide.

[@NerdGaming815]

Make sure to not touch the focusing screen, somehow the old foam gunk had gotten on mine, so i tried cleaning it with alcohol, and ruined the focusing screen.

[@DavidHancock]

Definitely yes and good tip. The rubbing alcohol will dissolve the focusing screen's fine lines.

[@rabibasak5934]

You polishing camera with liquid base chemical what is the name of chemical

[@DavidHancock]

91% isopropyl rubbing alcohol

[@punkrachmaninoff]

generally i would say don't clean your mirror unless you know what you are doing... some models are not happy if you do a crude cleaning; one can remove the mirror coating on earlier cameras, for example. It is recommended and easy enough to remove the rear light seals on many models, you can usually get away with not replacing them without risking light leaks. tape off the shutter mechanism with a piece of cardboard cut to size and electrical tape; then use a makeshift small sized toothpick and rubbing alcohol to remove the crud and all the crumbling old foam. ensure to wipe and blow out the back of the camera before removing the tape.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! That's a good point. Also the older the camera the more likely the mirror is to be damaged by harsh cleaning. I once took the silver off a mirror on a KW Reflex Box 6X9 SLR. I was able to have custom replacement made, but it was a bit of a pain.

[@cfdmedic78]

Pipe cleaners for those tight spots…

[@DavidHancock]

@@cfdmedic78 thank you and good idea!

[@Maartenols]

Alcohol on the Light Mirror, oh lord.... 😵

[@kennethmyrez]

use old toothbrush

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@ViralVideos-pr2oi]

Followed the instructions but completely ruined the mirror of my dads film camera he passed down to me. Left so many scratches and streaks on it. Wish I never followed this video.

[@DavidHancock]

I'm sorry to hear that.

[@ViralVideos-pr2oi]

@@DavidHancock Yea it’s really upsetting. All I see is scratches and blue streaks on it now. Is the camera ruined now?

[@DavidHancock]

@@ViralVideos-pr2oi The camera, definitely not. What model camera do you have?

[@ViralVideos-pr2oi]

@@DavidHancock Minolta SRT201

[@DavidHancock]

Good news, it won't be ruined. The blue streaks sound like they could just be residual grease that didn't get cleaned off. If the foam bumper in your mirror box is old or gooey, then that blue stuff is likely residual foam that's been spread over the mirror by the cleaning fluid. What kind of cleaning compound did you use? Lens cleaning fluid? With scratches, as long as no silver is missing from the mirror, then they won't affect your camera's performance. The mirror does not affect how images are recorded, only how you see them in the viewfinder. So the worst-case scenario is that the viewfinder may have images which are a modicum more "glowy" than the final images on film. But your focus and metering won't be affected unless the silver was removed. Worst-case scenario, if the mirror is shot then it can be replaced. SRT-201 parts are readily available and a number of camera repair shops like Vermont Camera Works (if you're in the U.S.) can swap out a mirror pretty painlessly.

[@hilmanafiq3627]

Has anyone ever mention that you sound and talk like shaykh Hamza Yusuf 😁😂

[@DavidHancock]

I have not but I know generally who he is and I'm glad for the comparison.