I've read about it a million times..."Don't ever try to clean your mirror." While I know that it does NOT affect the picture, my mirror is a mess from deteriorating foam. It needs to be cleaned (it actually makes it hard for me to compose shots). While I could pay someone $250 for this service, I believe that this is something that a relatively handy person can do as long as he knows how the experts do it. Can anyone provide me with the secret to mirror cleaning? I have access to many organic and inorganic solvents that I would imagine are used. I realize that it probably involves a solvent that does not need to be wiped off once applied (i.e. evaporates or runs off). I have a hard time believing that the experts always remove the mirror and bathe it in a cleaning solution. THERE MUST BE A WAY!

-- Deron (dchang@choate.edu), May 26, 2000

Answers

It is my opinion that reflex mirrors are not as delicate as is commonly believed. I have cleaned mine and also some 35mm mirrors by blowing off everything possible with a bulb blower first. Then breathing on the mirror and wiping it with Kodak lens paper. I would never try this with an astronomical first suface mirror but camera mirrors seems to be more durable. They could be overcoated.

-- Steve Rasmussen (srasmuss@flash.net), May 26, 2000.

Muck on your mirror might reduce light transmission but probably wouldn't be visible. The real problem might simply be a dirty focus screen, which is accessible and replaceable on the 67.Go easy on the chemicals.

-- Gary Watson (cg.watson@sympatico.ca), June 06, 2000.

Just to let you all know, I cleaned the mirror with a Kim-wipe wrapped q-tip dipped in blue glass cleaner (no ammonia). Then using a dry q-tip, I carefully polished the surface to remove the scant residue. The surface is just like new (I checked for scratches by breathing on the surface - saw none). If I can't see the scratches, then even if I did scratch it, I'll never know. My sense is, however, that if you are very careful, this is something that you can do when your mirror gets soiled by the black crud from deteriorating foam. Don't be afraid.

-- Deron (dchang@choate.edu), July 31, 2000.