Viewfinder Issue

subie

Senior Member
I cannot see through the viewfinder, it is almost completely dark. If I squint I might see some shadows. When I click the Live viewfinder the lower part of the frame has a dark shadow all the way across. The same thing happens when I take a picture (either with the viewfinder or live), the lower part of the picture is dark.
 

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
When you take the lens off, and look inside the body, is the mirror properly seated at a 45º angle?

If you look inside at the roof of the camera (up towards the viewfinder) is the focus screen flat and in place? It's held in with a spring clip...
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
What Fred said. If you're not seeing through the viewfinder, and the lens cap is off, then something is not right with the mirror in the camera.
 

subie

Senior Member
The mirror seems to be at a 45 degrees. The mirror seems to be lined up with the center of the circle of the base. Yes the cap is off. The mirror moves when you attempt to take a picture, but when you view, it only shows half of the picture. The other half being dark/black. I would think it's the mirror not performing correctly.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
The mirror seems to be at a 45 degrees. The mirror seems to be lined up with the center of the circle of the base. Yes the cap is off. The mirror moves when you attempt to take a picture, but when you view, it only shows half of the picture. The other half being dark/black. I would think it's the mirror not performing correctly.

Is that while using flash? It could be your flash synch speed.

Take the lens off, put the camera in manual mode, put the shutter speed at 1 second and then take a picture while looking inside the camera. This should help you diagnose the problem a bit more accurately.

Good luck.
 

subie

Senior Member
I'm not using a flash. I did what you suggested; put the shutter speed at 1 second and took a picture while looking inside. The mirror seemed to move smoothly. Started at a one point and when I clicked slowly moved up and back to the starting point. Did this also at 1/500 and same results, of course just faster.

I'm not sure if this might be related to my current issue, but prior to this major issue I noticed the camera was having difficulty focusing in the daylight. Once it got darker the pictures went back to being sharp and in focus. But in the day it was a hit or miss. I used different lenses, to see if the issue was the base or the lens. Same issue with both lenses.

Did not mean to divert from my current issue, but was thinking maybe the two might be related. Just throwing that out there as I am a amateur/newbie with cameras. Thanks to everyone so far in helping....
 
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