Viewfinder scuffed at DVinfo.net

Matthew Petersen · February 7th, 2011, 11:07 PM

Hi guys,

Recently a loose AA battery in a carrying case found it's way into the viewfinder past the rubber eye-cup, scuffing and lightly scratching the first element.

I'm not sure if these 'finder pieces are glass or plastic.

Anyone know what I might be able to polish out those light scratches with?

Matthew P

Chris Soucy · February 8th, 2011, 12:24 AM

If something like a battery managed to do that sort of damage, the lens is plastic.

The best and cheapest cure is some pretty heavy duty elbow grease with good 'ol fashioned toothpaste on a soft cloth, IF you can get the lens out and somewhere you can get "hands on" with it,

If you can't get the lens out on it's own, you're pretty well stuffed, as far as I know.

I'm not familiar with the XL series viewfinders so can't offer much more advice.

Good luck.

CS

Eugene J. Kulak · February 8th, 2011, 09:02 AM

Matthew, here's a thought; if you can get the lens out, either totally or patially try bringing it to a Lenscrafters or lens lab common to your area. Maybe they can effect a repair for a small price.

Don DesJardin · February 8th, 2011, 02:16 PM

I have an XL H1 and had a similar problem. It's fairly easy to disassemble, and I just ordered a new lens from Canon and replaced it. I took photos as I disassembled it so I had an idea how to put the whole thing back together. I tried polishing the lens, but it will never be the same.

Harry Bromley-Davenport · February 8th, 2011, 10:51 PM

As Eugene suggests - I believe that there is some compound that one can apply to scratched eyeglasses which fills in the scratch with a material with the same refractive index.

I'd give that a shot.

Best

H.

Jeff DePonte · February 16th, 2011, 09:08 PM

Lemon Pledge. Really.

Jeff

Matthew Petersen · February 22nd, 2011, 05:20 PM

Thanks guys for all those suggestions guys!

I'm in Australia so a couple of those brands are foreign to me, but I assume Lenscrafters is a spectacles shop and Lemon Pledge is a... furniture cleaner??

I think I'll try those DIY solutions, safe in the knowledge that if I stuff it up, I can just dissassemble and order one from Canon!

thanks again.

Matthew P

Harry Bromley-Davenport · February 22nd, 2011, 07:55 PM

Correct.

Go to any spectacles shop. They have a liquid that you apply and it fills in the scratch.

Harry.

February 7th, 2011, 11:07 PM	#1
Matthew Petersen Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Posts: 28	Viewfinder scuffed Hi guys, Recently a loose AA battery in a carrying case found it's way into the viewfinder past the rubber eye-cup, scuffing and lightly scratching the first element. I'm not sure if these 'finder pieces are glass or plastic. Anyone know what I might be able to polish out those light scratches with? Matthew P

February 8th, 2011, 12:24 AM	#2
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,691 Images: 18	Hi, Matthew........... If something like a battery managed to do that sort of damage, the lens is plastic. The best and cheapest cure is some pretty heavy duty elbow grease with good 'ol fashioned toothpaste on a soft cloth, IF you can get the lens out and somewhere you can get "hands on" with it, If you can't get the lens out on it's own, you're pretty well stuffed, as far as I know. I'm not familiar with the XL series viewfinders so can't offer much more advice. Good luck. CS

February 8th, 2011, 09:02 AM	#3
Eugene J. Kulak Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: New Britain, CT Posts: 95	Matthew, here's a thought; if you can get the lens out, either totally or patially try bringing it to a Lenscrafters or lens lab common to your area. Maybe they can effect a repair for a small price. __________________ Gene, Black Hole Video

February 8th, 2011, 02:16 PM	#4
Don DesJardin Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ventura, California, USA Posts: 255	I have an XL H1 and had a similar problem. It's fairly easy to disassemble, and I just ordered a new lens from Canon and replaced it. I took photos as I disassembled it so I had an idea how to put the whole thing back together. I tried polishing the lens, but it will never be the same. __________________ Don DesJardin

February 22nd, 2011, 05:20 PM	#7
Matthew Petersen Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Posts: 28	Re: Viewfinder scuffed Thanks guys for all those suggestions guys! I'm in Australia so a couple of those brands are foreign to me, but I assume Lenscrafters is a spectacles shop and Lemon Pledge is a... furniture cleaner?? I think I'll try those DIY solutions, safe in the knowledge that if I stuff it up, I can just dissassemble and order one from Canon! thanks again. Matthew P Last edited by Matthew Petersen; February 22nd, 2011 at 07:50 PM.

February 8th, 2011, 10:51 PM	#5
Harry Bromley-Davenport Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: LA CA Posts: 317	As Eugene suggests - I believe that there is some compound that one can apply to scratched eyeglasses which fills in the scratch with a material with the same refractive index. I'd give that a shot. Best H.

February 16th, 2011, 09:08 PM	#6
Jeff DePonte Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Honolulu Hawaii Posts: 76	Lemon Pledge. Really. Jeff

February 22nd, 2011, 07:55 PM	#8
Harry Bromley-Davenport Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: LA CA Posts: 317	Re: Viewfinder scuffed Correct. Go to any spectacles shop. They have a liquid that you apply and it fills in the scratch. Harry.