C100: C100 MKII Viewfinder Plastic Replacement?

P

ParagonFilmworks

Active member
I recently found some dirt and sweat on my viewfinder on my c100 MKII so I cleaned it with water and cloth. Well that wasn't a good idea apparently I can't seem to use the viewfinder as the plastic is mangled and looks like it was cleaned of some protective film.

Is there a way to remove that plastic and replace it? It's just a protective piece of plastic but I can't figure out how to remove it. I live by using the viewfinder and it is crippling me right now on a shoot.
 
I'm not saying you should have noticed that post, I'm shocked that there are posts at all on this mistake. I went back into the archives and sure enough, others doing/experiencing the same thing. A mechanic doesn't run over his tools with the customer's car and a pro photographer shouldn't use a rag or water on any piece of optic gear.

You and the other fellow should invest in this-
http://www.kinetronics.com/product/...or-outdoor-photographers-travelers-sportsmen/

Been using this type kit for over 40 years now on all kinds of optics. Never, ever a problem. In fact, I broke-out the C100 last night and pushed my nose on the eyepiece (along with the dust already there) and proceeded to clean it . Like new again. You will need to send your rig to Canon just like the other guy did.
 
Fair enough, I will say it doesn't get cleaned often and I've yet to have that issue otherwise on any camera. It was second hand and always had the issue but since got much worse from the cleaning I'm sure I gave it. I'll definitely invest in those, it's a now you know thing. I use a lens cloth for most items but this was beyond a simple wiping as it was not good from purchase date.

For those wanting to know, the part is $200.58 from Canon plus shipping. You can however fix it for free if you're in a pinch. The plastic piece is not sold separate but it is exactly the size and shape of an SD card. I will eventually get a replacement piece made or spend the $200. But it's operational and sealed within 2 minutes if you have to use it ASAP.
 
I'm not saying that someone shouldn't use good practices when cleaning anything optical(Pancro has become my go-to in the last few years and I have tons of pre-moistened Zeiss wipes everywhere) and I'm probably one of the most anal people in the world when it comes to taking care of and babying their gear, but I think the coating/materials that Canon is using on the VF are crap if they're falling apart like that. Looking at the picture in the other thread, you would think the guy used sandpaper to wipe the VF off. Maybe I'm spoiled and used to professional level VF's, but there wouldn't be a useable VF in the field on a Sony or Panasonic(or Ike) broadcast/professional ENG camera if you had to baby the 'user side' of the diopter like that. Show of hands from the "old eng guys" who haven't used their breath to fog the glass and use the bottom of their t-shirt to clean a VF at least once in the field. No hands? That's what I thought. It shouldn't be SOP, but if you had to in an emergency, it shouldn't ruin a diopter, either.
 
The diopters on all of my "broadcast" cameras in the past were made of glass and yes, of course we used to use our breathe and a shirt tail to clean them while shooting, if the Pancro and Kimwipes weren't accessible. The diopters on most of the current cameras are apparently made of soft, easy to scratch plastic. Kind of lame but so is how many modern digital cinema cameras are constructed. That's one more point for the Varicam LT, it is very well made and robust with only a plastic door on the P2 Express compartment, everything else is magnesium or aluminum. Nice feel compared to the C300 MKII. Yes, heavier but once you get them all rigged out, not that much difference.
 
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