Camera troubles, expertise needed...!!

[Dirtygoat]

Hello,

While on a photoshoot a few days ago with my Pentax MZ-50 aka ZX-50, I looked through my viewfinder and there was this black rectangular type speck that appeared on my viewfinder, I tried to blow it off and even used the blower brush on it but only for more to appear. I've taken off the lens and looked thru the body w/out lens attached and it still there, so it is somewhere on my viewfinder, or possibly on the other side of the screen? Today I have also tried using cotton buds and even a hair blower on the thing and it still won't budge, its really annoying distracting and I can't focus as well on my projects if I find myself looking at, any tips on how to clear it off?

Thanks

[Jezz]

Is it on the mirror?

That might be it?

[Clemmie]

I just did a Google lookup to get a look at the design. Here's one user's good spec page on it:
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~parsog/Guy/mz50.html

The usual suspect, as Jezz points out, is dust the flip-up mirror, or on the focusing screen above it. Be careful not to put pressure on these parts when swabbing.

If that doesn't get the speck, then it may be inside the 'pentamirror' - which I'd recommend leaving to a professional to clean.

The specs on this model indicate a 'pentamirror' finder - indicating Pentax has taken the same weight and cost saving route as many other recent models. Instead of a solid prism inside the upper case, between the focusing screen and the eyepiece, you instead have a series of Mirrors - with open space among them - inside the top housing. These are usually sealed well enough to keep stuff out, though once in a while a speck of something can get in there - or some speck of residue from the manufacturing process breaks loose - and it can be quite irritating.

Cleaning mirrors ain't no big deal, but getting it all back together with them in proper alignment can be. That's why I recommend leaving it to a pro.

I would also keep the Hair Dryer away from it. The airflow isn't concentrated enough to handle really stubborn dust on a glass surface - and in fact can be just right to generate 'static cling' and aggravate the problem. And, even on low heat, you can easily get a fine part 'too hot', causing further problems.

[another view]

You've done everything I'd suggest trying yourself. A blower bulb has usually worked for me, other than that I've had small specks that I can't get out, but don't cause a problem for me either.

Reflex mirrors scratch very easily so I'd recommend not touching it. Take it to a camera store and have them clean it, shouldn't be a big deal.

[Dirtygoat]

Thank you, I will take it back with my warrenty to the place I bought it. I am sure they will sort it out, they seemed to be fairly helpful the last time I took it in to get checked. My particular camera was apparently a "Refurbished model", or "Reconditioned", I forget which, but they should be able to fix it.

Oh and there is a few little white specks on the mirror, I've tried blowing them without luck. I don't think they are the objects I am seeing thru the viewfinder.