C300: C300 Mark II viewfinder coating all screwed up, unusable

Graham King

Graham King

Well-known member
I've had the camera since October 2015 and I've treated the viewfinder the same way I did on the C300 Mk I which I had for 3.5 years with no problems - I occasionally wipe it with a lens cloth.

The coating on the viewfinder is now all screwed up (see photo) and looking into the viewfinder is like looking through glass that someone fogged with their breath. Critical focus is impossible. I often shoot in bright daylight which is when I rely on the viewfinder.

I'm especially worried because the viewfinder glass isn't removable like the Mk I so I can't just order the new part and stick it on. I shoot every single weekend and I'm in SF. I just called EOS support and they said I have to mail it to Costa Mesa or walk it into Burbank and the turnaround is 3-5 business days. So that's a no go. A one weekend rental from BorrowLenses is over $500.

Do I have any other option besides paying $1000 for CPS Cinema Membership?

IMG_3675.jpg
 
Hand carried into Burbank facility on Monday. $710. Saw Damon Wayans coming out of Morton's Steakhouse while waiting for my Lyft to the airport. Camera shipped Wednesday and received at home Thursday morning.
 
As someone's that's had to have their fair share of expensive service and repairs over the years on expensive pieces of gear(most recently $1900 for motor replacement and overhaul service on one of my Fuji HA13x4.5's) I have to say that that is just F'n ridiculous. Even for Canon... That was just poor engineering. That should be an easily(user) replaceable service part that is $50-$75 max.
 
Not helpful now but going forward it might help to use the EVF cap that came with it.

Also (you may already do this), always make sure to use a dust blower to get any debris off of the glass before wiping down with a lens cloth and make sure to wash lens cloths very frequently (I only use once or twice before washing).
 
I use Kimwipes and Pancro on lenses, filters and VFs. Kimwipes are better because they are single use. I have plenty of lens cloths but Kimwipes work better.
 
Last edited:
I've only used the C300 II VF a few times outdoors. I wear glasses most of the time, though it's possible I was wearing contacts when looking through the VF, and perhaps oil from eyelashes created this pattern:

C300_VF_NeverCleaned.jpg

Thought perhaps the coating was cracking/spiderizing on it's own. However after cleaning with ROR and microfiber:

C300_VF_Cleaned.jpg

It came off. Microfiber is tricky in this small space, it's not perfectly clean. Going to get some optical swabs (vs. q-tips) to carefully (with very little downforce) get the edges and remaining spots. It's not really needed, it's clear enough to use (and was before cleaning, the pattern only showed up at that angle with light hitting it as shown). Since I rarely use the VF:

C300_VF_CAP.jpg

I agree that it's insane and super not cool to have to pay over $700 to replace the entire VF assembly vs. just being able to replace the outermost element for around $100 (at most). I'd pay Zacuto $1950 (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1242176-REG/zacuto_z_gre_gratical_eye_micro_oled.html) before I'd pay Canon $710 to replace this part (would probably get this package:https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1293748-REG/zacuto_z_c3002ergreb_c300_mark_ii_gratical.html).

Photos with 1DX II (will post some production info for 1DX II video soon).
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top