Cleaning SLT mirrors

I have found that while we have an article on cleaning the sensor of a DSLR, there is nothing about cleaning the mirror of a SLT.

Any volunteers?

For reference/example purposes see MiPr's "Cleaning the sensor in your camera" -- here. Also there is a current discussion on SLT mirrors here.

Edited by rovhazman - 10 December 2013 at 14:43

Mirror cleaning is an odd subject. For one thing, it is technically forbidden in all the user manuals to use anything but a blower within the mirror box, so I doubt there will ever be any official instructions for cleaning that involves physical contact. Secondly, the mirrors used in the various SLT models might not all be made of identical materials, so they might respond differently to different cleaning techniques. That said, for my A55 mirror cleaning, I find just two tools are needed:

1. A tiny artist's brush to handle 95% of the jobs. Whenever I notice a dust particle I gently lift it off with this brush and I'm done.

2. A clean cotton swab for the other 5%. I used this to clean a fingerprint I accidentally put on the front surface long ago, and I think one other time for something that I don't remember clearly. I wipe lightly without applying pressure. If needed, I also breathe on the mirror to add a little moisture.

Regarding removal for cleaning, I've so far never needed to do that. (I have removed the mirror temporarily on a number of occasions, but I only do it for special experimental shooting sessions.)

Remember that the mirror is an extremely thin, pliable, and deformable plastic film, so treat it accordingly. I just measured its thickness with a micrometer at less than 0.004", the same as a sheet of standard copier paper. Fortunately, the front surface of the mirror is smooth, and things don't really like to stick to it all that well. If something tenacious gets on the back of the mirror, that might be an issue. That side feels very 'grabby' compared to the front. According to a published patent description, one side of the mirror is coated with several special refractive layers... but is it the front or the back? Hmmm... Either way, I prefer to avoid having to mess with the back side.

Edited by sybersitizen - 10 December 2013 at 17:32

Another a77 video


Edited by brettania - 10 December 2013 at 06:47

Great links to those videos Mike. It literally took that guy less than a minute to replace.

bigal5000 wrote: lomitamike wrote: Here's a helpful video of how to replace the mirror on a A55. I used tho video to educate myself before I attempted to remove and clean some stubborn dirt that needed a wet cleaning with some Eclipse cleaning fluid on a Pec pad. I was very nervous to attempt this for my first time. The plastic frame that holds the mirror will get a little scratched and dented if you use a small screwdriver like the one used in the video. That shouldn't be a problem though, you won't need to do this very often. Just be absolutely sure not to touch the mirror with anything more then your Pec pad or brush. You'll be surprised how easy they scratch. How come the guy can't talk?

Tonsillitis ?

I guess he felt just showing people how to do was enough , regardless of what language you speak .
I've always got away with just using a blower bulb to clear dust off my slt mirrors .
It's only the sensors of dslr's and nex's that I've had to give a more thorough clean , using a blower and "lens pen " .