Frodsham PhotoForum

[alfie]

Hi Everyone, My new canon 40 D already has some specs of dust on the focusing screen. Defintely not on the sensor or mirror. These specs are clearly visible through the viewfinder. A quick blow with a rocket blower has failed to shift them.

Canon offer a free clean and service within 12 months of purchase. Speaking to the Service/Repair agent they've advised to do nothing at the moment. Images are not effected and cleaning and servicing can wait for a further 11 months if necessary.

My question, is there anything that I can do in the meantime to remove or minimise these specs?

Andy

[TomUK]

Andy,
If you have no blemishes on your final images then I don't see your problem, I agree with the service engineer, leave well alone, the specs you are seeing are probably chaff from the newness of your shutter, this will reduce with use.
Send it in for cleaning as late as possible (preferably when you know you can be without your camera for the needed time).
Put your question to the committee on a club night if you require a more informed opinion.

Tom

[alfie]

Tom,

I may discuss this a little further with you on Monday if I may. However, being new to the 40D, I didn't realise that the focusing screens are interchangeable. The newness maybe the reason for the specs being flung around. My 400D focusing screen got very dirty during the first few weeks of ownership. I blew it clear and even months after there were no new problems. Coincidence maybe or the operator getting more carfeul perhaps but I think you may be right. Anyway I've ordered the ef-d focusing screen with grid lines. I find the grid lines really useful, my Fuji has them as a custom function and I feel a little lost without them.

As regards a clean/service that can wait until Spring.

Cheers, Andy

[TomUK]

Andy,

I checked for a firmware update for your camera, (I believe you said it was a 400D), and firmware was version 1.0.8, well Canon report that's the firmware for the 40D, the firmware for the 400D has just been upgraded from version 1.1.0 to V 1.1.1.please check.

Heres the link for your camera:-

http://www.canon.co.jp/imaging/eosdigit ... are-e.html

And for the 40D:-

http://web1.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/eos40 ... are-e.html

Hope this Helps.

Tom.

[alfie]

Tom,

It's the 40D, I did own a 400D until recently, I think I may have confused the two. Regarding the focus screen I've fitted the EF - D with grid today. Very easy to do. I followed this guide;

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/mas ... _screen.do

Andy

[Phil]

I've always found a rocket blower works well but if the specs are not visible on the images it is likely they are on the mirror rather than the sensor. Again, the blower will work - just use it with the mirror down and see if that makes a difference.

[Nev]

Had dark dust specks in the focusing screen on my 400D but it hasn't effected the pictures. The mirror is spotless as is the sensor so I can only assume it will be within the viewfinder, if it was on the images then I would be worried.

Nev

[alfie]

I'm learning to live with it. I can't see any visible sign of dust/debris on the mirror at all nor on any images. Therefore it's either in the viewfinder or on the focusing screen. A quick blow, rocket blower that is, hasn't shifted it. I will take full advantage of a free service and clean in the new year.