Viewfinder Milky/Blury - eucalyptus accident...

[two40]

Hi all.

I would like tos tate for the record that I'm impatient. This always get me in trouble. Last week I plugged in a 100V power pack in to a wall socket dishing out 240V. I'm not stupid, just a guy that doesn't need to read manuals. :bang:


Anyway, I need help with cleaning a viewfinder. I impatiently 'cleaned' a pretty clear viewfinder of a Canonet 19. I had the top off and had a bottle of eucalyptus oil sitting on my desk. Bad idea as it is now all milky and blury. I applied it inside the viewfinder. The diagonal glass in particular is the problem I think.

How can I fix my problem?

cheers 🙂

 

[Justin Low]

I believe that it's not too difficult to remove the top of the Canonet QL19. Some of the later models are very similar or even identical to the QL17. If that's the case, you'd need a flexiclamp (or rubber dam), a lens spanner, and some screwdrivers to remove the top.

Once that's done, you should be able to clean the insides of the windows and the outer surfaces of the internal glass.

 

[two40]

Thanks Justin. That is what I already did but with the wrong agent unfortunately. I got told to clean it with metho or turps or better yet with isopropy alcohol which I do not have. I'm going to try metho.

 

[Justin Low]

I would go with methanol or isopropyl alcohol if that's what you have. I'm not sure if turpentine would be suitable. Vodka works well too.

Other solvents that you could try: household ammonia, contact lens cleaning fluid, and hand soap (these last two mainly for oily residue).

Good luck!

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

The diagnol pieces is where silvering is applied. Cleaning them is usually a bad idea, the oil might have cleaned out or dulled the silvering making it difficult to see through again. If you feel bold enough to try to clean it again, denatured alcohol or windex might be a good direction to look at for a cleaning solution. Rubbing alcohol (isopropy) might leave a residue behind.

Maybe someone here will know which side is the safe side to clean on the diagnol mirrors.

You could even try replacing the diagnol mirrors, I dont know the exact place to find them but its been mentioned before on the forums.

Last but not least, the easy way out (and the most expensive) is to have it sent out for a CLA.

good luck

 

[Justin Low]

The silvering is usually applied to the front surface of the mirror, so there isn't a 'safe' side so to speak.

 

[two40]

Thanks for your help. I've rescued the camera with Metho and lens cleaning fluid. It's cleaner than before and I've learned something. 🙂

cheers