HELP!!! How do I clean dust from inside T3i viewfinder?

[T3i Guy]

Hi,

I have a small hair and what looks like carbon particles from my lenspen or maybe dust particles inside of the viewfinder on my T3i. I would greatly appreciate some help if anyone knows how I can open the viewfinder to clean it myself.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Shorthand]

I asked this question about a week ago here ...
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1031&message=41694347

The advice was ... if it won't come off with a rocket blower, attempt no further remedies but instead live with what's on the viewfinder. You have a good chance of damaging the focusing screen if you use anything stronger than air.

 

[Mentone]

Chances are the hair or dust lies on the focusing screen. This is a fairly common problem that doesn't effect the operation of the camera.

The one thing you don't want to do is use any type of air blower, compressed, hand bulb, or otherwise, in an attempt to remove dust or other contaminants. Anything you manage to dislodge will probably get blown deeper into the camera and possibly into a critical location. Using compressed air can damage the shutter.

The good news is that focusing screens are easily removed. Once removed, the screen can be cleaned with compressed air, blower, or brush. You can find detailed instructions for doing so on the web and determine for yourself if your up to the task.

If not, check with your local camera repair shop. A professional can remove, clean, and replace a focusing screen in about 10 minutes. The charge for doing so might not be that bad.