Canon VL Viewfinder dust (cleanable?)

[finalxstage]

I happened to find and purchase a nice VL to test out side-by-side with my P, due to not being able to see well through the P’s VF with my glasses. The VL seems perfect besides one thing- there’s a bit of “dust” on the angled glass inside of the viewfinder. Is this able to be cleaned with removing the top plate or would it need a full CLA? Really hoping it’s cleanable but not getting my hopes up.

Pardon if this thread isn’t done correctly, it’s my first time posting on a forum. Not sure how to share pictures, so I uploaded pictures to a Flickr account and I’ll post the link.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/49886000@N04/50425350668/in/dateposted-public

https://www.flickr.com/photos/49886000@N04/50426216517/in/dateposted-public

https://www.flickr.com/photos/49886000@N04/50425350228/in/dateposted-public

https://www.flickr.com/photos/49886000@N04/50425349913/in/dateposted-public

https://www.flickr.com/photos/49886000@N04/50426045796/in/dateposted-public

 

[Beemermark]

Curious, have you used to take pictures? If so is the dust problem?

 

[mystichobo]

I'm pretty sure this is prism separation; I had one as well briefly but returned it due to the same issue.

Apparently there's two pieces of cemented glass in the prism that are silver coated in between them, what you're seeing is the cement coming loose along with the silver plating.

From what I read it's not really fixable without separating the prisms, resivering them and cementing them back together, which is quite a task that not many places will or can do.

 

[finalxstage]

I'm pretty sure this is prism separation; I had one as well briefly but returned it due to the same issue.

Apparently there's two pieces of cemented glass in the prism that are silver coated in between them, what you're seeing is the cement coming loose along with the silver plating.

From what I read it's not really fixable without separating the prisms, resivering them and cementing them back together, which is quite a task that not many places will or can do.

That’s what I’m afraid of, seeing as it’s in the angled piece of glass. I’m pretty sure these are a sealed piece. Dang.

 

[Mackinaw]

Here's a page from a VT repair manual. The viewfinder/rangefinder is most likely the same.

Jim B.

 

[finalxstage]

I appreciate that diagram manual response Jim. Unfortunately I think this is in the sealed prism, “7140” on that diagram.