Help! There's a black spot on my viewfinder!

[sassy_boy]

Hello to all!

My problem is that a black spot suddenly appeared when I look into the viewfinder. I was taking pictures all day for a week now (foundation week at school) and one minute it wasn't there and the next it showed. Maybe because I was outside and it was a bit windy that dust might have come inside the camera.

I removed the lens and checked it... its fine. Then without the lens I looked through the viewfinder and its there!

Note: It doesn't show up on any of the photos that I've taken. I even tried taking a photo of a white wall and it doesn't show. But its just so damn annoying.

Will it be problem in the future?
How can I get rid of it? Will I have to take it to the camera shop or is there any safe way for me to clean it out myself, I really don't want to spend... but if there's no option, I guess I can't help it.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Regards,
Ben

[sk66]

Start with a bulb type blower. Whatever it is, it is either on the outside of the viewfinder or inside on the mirror.

[OsmosisStudios]

Its on the focusing screen. If you take the lens off, mirror DOWN, look up into the prism from the lens mount.

Example here

While the image shoes a Canon, its the same on all SLRs.

You'll need to be careful not to scratch it, but using a blower (as sk66 suggested) should work.

[dakwegmo]

If you can't get it off with a blower, just live with it. It doesn't affect image quality, and a scratched focus screen is a bigger problem than a litle dust. Plus it costs ~$75 to repair.

[sassy_boy]

Thanks for the quick reply guys. I'm going to buy one of those bulb type blowers tomorrow. Hopefully it will do the trick. If not, I guess I'll just have to wait until more of them show up before I spend on having it cleaned.

Anyways, I took great photos of the different outdoor sports that day so I guess it was worth it...

[Almond.Butterscotch]

alternatively, if you have a baby lying around, and if you still have that booger sucker that came with it lying around, it'll work wonders too- it took me ages before i got to the point where the booger sucker wasn't strong enough.

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by Almond.Butterscotch

alternatively, if you have a baby lying around, and if you still have that booger sucker that came with it lying around, it'll work wonders too- it took me ages before i got to the point where the booger sucker wasn't strong enough.

Just make sure there are no boogers stuck in it ready to be blown out.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by GadgetRick

Just make sure there are no boogers stuck in it ready to be blown out.

If it's used, don't use it. Just sayin. That'd be a fun one to explain to Nikon SC. :P