Evil Dust Emergency...

There’s too much dust in my camera! =(

I held it up to my computer screen (the screen was white and clean) to make sure it was working, and then I saw the obvious specks of dust. I know it’s from inside the camera because when I moved the camera they moved along with the viewfinder. I was going to blow into it but then remembered that blowing would cause moisture which could make it worse. So I went and got some tissue paper and started to rub against the mirror thing very carefully. At first, it was fine, but then I saw a spot near the center and wanted to try and clean that spot off. I rubbed a little harder, but not too hard. However, when I held the camera up again, I saw more specks of dust on it. I had a washcloth right next to me, and used it for like a brief second, and it helped… A little. So… what do I need to do to get the dust out? Do I need to get a cleaner that blows into it?

Thank you!


Mind you, I’m saving up for a Nikon camera, but for now I would love my Olympus over a dumb Kodak any day!

There are little kits you can buy specifically to clean sensors.  You're cleaning probably the most sensitive part of the camera, and any damage pretty much ruins the camera. 

I read it as the dust was showing up on the image, which would be the sensor. Guess I may have misread. If it's just on the mirror, I don't know that it's even worth cleaning.One of my first cameras, a Canon A-1 , had a scratch in the mirror.  I got used to it being there to a point where I sort of mentally blocked it out. Since it was on the mirror the image wasn't affected.

If you're seeing dust when you look through the viewfinder then it's either on the lens, mirror, or viewfinder. Out of those 3, only the lens would affect your images.

Take a picture of a white wall or something similar. Do you see dust in the image?

I bought a cleaning kit - it had both a small microfiber cloth and some kind of spray, and I got it from Wal-Mart for only $6.48 (tax included). It can be used for the lens and LCD screen but didn't say anything about a mirror. I'm going to do some vigorous cleaning with this camera (carefully, don't panic). =) I don't have a camera bag it would fit in so I keep it in the manufacturer's box, and in the box I have two warranty sheets, one for the body and the other for the lens. =)

I found out the dust's most likely on the inside of the viewfinder. I cleaned the outside of the body at least three times and used the cloth on the mirror inside while being careful. However, when I held up the camera it was like I hadn't done anything (although there aren't smudges anymore and there are actually less dust). I remembered then that a couple of months ago, I saw there were dust inside the viewfinder, and I guess that must be the same dust, only a little bigger, that's being my worst enemy. I was able to take pictures today and the dust didn't show on the LCD screen... It could be a different story once I upload them.

I will have to find either a very tiny screwdriver or someone with one to take the viewfinder off as to clean the inside, but for now, I'm happy to be able to use it. =)

Ditto on not worrying about it. Before you know it you'll mentally ignore it. I only clean all that stuff about once a year or so unless it's really bad after being in some industrial places other really dusty environments. My 40d is getting to the point that even the sensor shake isn't enough to get the dust off of it. I'll send it in for a cleaning and checkup rather than buying all the stuff myself. A good sensor cleaning kit can get kind of pricey sometimes.