cleaning the viewfinder

rossf

rossf

Member
does anyone have advice on cleaning the viewfinder,the manual says never to wipe it because of a special coating, yet skin oils get on the glass an I thought this was bad for any type of optical glass?Also won't the viewfinder eventually just get blurry from grime if it's never cleaned?
 
First, use a "hurricane blower" (a squeeze bulb) to blow off the dust. I wouldn't use compressed gass like Dust Off or Dust Gun. I've seen the liquid propellant spray and cause damage on glass surfaces.

Use lens tissue paper or microfiber cloth and lens cleaning fluid next. These things are available from good photo stores. I wrap lens tissue on a Q-tip, put one drop of cleaning fluid on the tissue (never directly on the glass, because it could run inside) then very gently work the tissue from the corners into the centre or from the centre outward in circular movements. Repeat a few times with fresh tissue on a fresh end of the Q-tip.

Next breathe gently on the glass. If you still see smudges or streaks, try using dry tissue as soon as you breathe on the glass.

The glass is coated. You have to be gentle. Use only slight pressure. Wipe once with the cloth, then turn to a clean section. Don't go back and forth with the same section of tissue, because dirt and dust can be abrasive.

You can use the same technique to clean the lens. Carry a cleaning kit in your bag. Don't get caught up in the moment and use the corner of a T-shirt. A cleaning mark on a lens coating is a permanent scratch, and it will definitely be something you want to avoid.
 
I wouldn't breathe on it. Your breath is dirty (no offense) and it is acidic, even more so if you are a diabetic.
 
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