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Telemoto

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Stuart
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I have a Nikon D200 that I've used for quite some time now and almost overnight I seem to have been invaded by dust/marks.

I think this problem is two-fold : the sensor needs cleaning as these marks have just started to show up on photos (at small f/stops f/22).

My main concern though is that when I look through the viewfinder, there are lots of marks and I'm really not sure where they are.

A brief history is that I've had the camera with the same lens on for maybe 2 years without cleaning anything as it didn't seem to be necessary. I recently bought a zoom lens and that seems to be when the problem started.

I am extremely careful when I use the camera because I am conscious of the problems with what's in the atmosphere but when I changed the lens clearly some dust particles have got in.

I'm prepared to have a go at cleaning the sensor with one of those swabs available on the market but I wouldn't know where to start with the viewfinder/mirror as I have the impression that something is trapped somewhere.

Can someone please point me in the right direction or even walk me through the cleaning process for the viewfinder. Perhaps someone could recommend a company who can carry out this work if it means dismantling the camera.
 
If you can see it through the viewfinder that is on the focusing screen, located above the mirror, a gentle blow out with a rocket blower should shift it, the focusing screen is easily marked so avoid rubbing it with anything.

It is possible to remove and replace it, but that can lead to more dust and marks on it.

Focus screen replacement instructions in case it is bad enough to require major cleaning, (although Nikon sell replacements for around £1.00).

LINK these are from KatzEye just click on your camera model.

Sensor cleaning is simple just take your time with it.

A useful piece on cleaning sensors LINK
 
You may have had a build up of dust/dirt around the lens mount(s) over the years which were disturbed when you took it off for the first time. The ones you can see through the VF will be on the focusing screen.

A good blow with a rocket blower should do the trick.

Moreover, I'm impressed you only used one lens for two years!
 
A bit of dust is a fact of life.

Have a go with a rocket blower (Giottos, Amazon). And don't use f/22 - it ruins sharpness (diffraction) anyway and there's rarely any need to go higher than f/11.
 
Appreciate everyone's input.
Martyn, thanks for your useful information. That might be the way to go. I've given the blower a go on the focusing screen and mirror but the problem still exists.
I've just ordered some Eclipse Cleaning Fluid and Swabs for the sensor so I'm sure that will cure that problem.
Odd Jim - the reason I only had one lens was that I used to specialise in close up photography but now I've moved on and I'm using a 70-200 f/2.8 Nikkor lens and this will probably be on for two years as well!
Regarding the reply from HoppyUK, dust on the focusing screen doesn't affect the photos whether it's at f/22 or f/2.8. Its the fact that the dust is right in the middle of the viewfinder which makes it unacceptable. It may be a fact of life for some people but not for me - it is a real concern and not one I'm willing to give up on lightly.
I'll keep you posted to any change.
 
AVOID ROCKET BLOWERS LIKE THE PLAGUE

I just can't stress this enough

All they do is disturb dust elsewhere within the camera body leaving you with more dust than before or move dust to another part of the camera . Within a few weeks the dust will be back on the sensor


Use an Artic Butterfly which builds up a static charge to attract dust together with a Loupe. For heaver stuck dust particles then as Stuart says wet clean with swabs and eclipse cleaning fluid.

I have done mine several times as I have suggested, trying a rocket blower it left my camera in a right state

Realspeed
 
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I find a rocket blower is all I ever need! Works every time!
 
Blower is usually all I need. Hold the camera upside down, eventually all the crap falls out.

Arctic Butterfly also very effective*. I've never needed a wet clean.

* Edit: only on the sensor though, not for inside the mirror box or you'll pick up grease and then you will have a sensor problem for sure.
 
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