SL2 Focus Screen Issues

This is a report of a problem with my SL2’s focus screen as well as a successful resolution. My SL2 is about 9 months old and it’s been a great camera. I have a 6D and 60D, so I was looking for something light for travel. We’re about to head to Europe for a Viking River Cruise and am taking the SL2 on it’s first really big trip.

Now for the problem.... About 2 weeks ago I pulled the SL2 out for a quick 4 day trip and noticed some spots in the viewfinder. The images were clean, so I knew it wasn’t a sensor issue which meant it had to be between the mirror and the viewfinder. The mirror and the viewfinder were both clean, so that left the focus screen and the pentaprism mirror. Ultimate I got the light to hit it just right and could see the spot to the focus screen The spot sort of looked like liquid when looking at it through the viewfinder, but I had nothing to clean it with and chose to ignore it for the trip. When I got home last Friday, I decided to see if I could brush the spot away, but yes, it was liquid and it smeared like oil. Ultimately I removed the focus screen, but could not get it cleaned (I actually scratched it a bit) and wouldn’t you know that I could get it back in place. When they say this sucker isn’t user serviceable, they mean it.

I’m not sure where the oily stuff came from or how that tiny drop ended up on the focus screen. The camera has been very gently used and is always stored in a Think Tank camera bag in a controlled environment.

With our departure date a week and a half away, I reluctantly sent it to the Canon Service Center at Virginia Beach VA on Tuesday. They received it on Thursday and by Friday (yesterday) at 11 am, they had replaced the focus screen, cleaned it all up, Q/A’d and had it ready for return shipping. It went out via FedEx that afternoon and it was back in my hands around 6:00 pm today. When I sent it out, I was worried it would not come back in time, so I was amazed at the service and more amazed at the price - FREE, as in 100% covered under warranty. Oh and they know nothing about my timeline - simply an amazing experience!!

My focusing screens always collect junk.  I just ignore it, as it has no impact on either shooting or the image (but if you mess with it, it can be bad bad bad).  I figure it's just one of those things we DSLR users simply gotta live with. 

Glad you're back up and running!

R2