minolta XG1 with black piece in viewfinder

[Minolfan]

Found a Minolta XG1 on a fleamarket today, with perfect 45mm 2.0 lens attached. Body works (battery was OK) but in the viewfinder an unpleasant black element. Approximately 10% of the view.


(Sorry for the hurriedly made picture)

How to get rid of that?
Anyone had this before?
I purchased the camera for the nice lens, got the caps and 3 expired Nexia films with it (good for testing my Vectis). But paid € 15, so I have the feeling that the body has to work properly too. No problem to change the lightseals, but that dark part of the viewfinder is not funny.
Someone an idea about what it is and how to clean it? I think I have to lift the upperside and inspect the prism; Dunno how difficult.

[peterqd]

I haven't a clue what this is. My best guess is either something wrong with the LEDs or damage to the prism silvering, but it looks larger than I've ever seen before.

1 Do the LEDs operate correctly in the viewfinder?

2 Is the mirror free and in its right place?

3 Is the focus screen clean and seated properly?

4 Are there any signs of the camera being damaged, particularly on the prism housing?

5 Can you remove the focus screen easily like the XD7? If so, try using a dentist's mirror to check for something foreign in the space between the screen and the prism. If you find anything, use cranked tweezers to remove it.

Removing the top of the camera is easy. If all else has failed, try taking off the top and checking for any damage to the silvering or maybe some misplaced part.

Removing/unsoldering the wiring and the PCB on the prism is quite fiddly and easy to cause damage. And then when you've done that you'll certainly damage the foam seals around the prism when you try to take it out. This special foam is difficult to source and even more difficult to install.

[Minolfan]

Thanks for your helping to analyse.
In my picture it looks bigger then in reality - I cannot creep in the viewfinder that far with my taking lens , but a 10% of the viewing image is annoying for sure.

The questions:
The LEDs work as they should.
The mirror works properly, focusing is OK, exept that its not very comfortable with that thing in the view.
There is nothing attached to the bottom the focus screen; the black ghost seems to hang around somewhere in the prismhousing.
No dents or scratches on the prismhousing, not on the rest of the body either. It looks like ever handeld with care.
The XG was the cheap consumer version, so nothing to pick out the screen easily.

Perhaps some desilvering on the prism caused by error or dirt in production? I really don't know.

I fear I have to lift the skull

[peterqd]

OK, it sounds very much like there is either silvering damage or something in the space between the prism and the screen.

Before you take off the top, have a little prod around inside the mirror foam. There is probably a tiny metal clip that holds the focus screen in place, you can't see it easily because it's tucked under the foam. If you press the clip towards the foam the screen should be free. Always wear rubber gloves to handle the screen and make a careful note which surface is the top before you remove it. One side is shiny and flat (faces down toward the mirror and the other face is slightly domed facing the prism.

If you can find a dentist's mirror it's really helpful for looking up to the prism from below.

I have to leave you now till tomorrow. Good luck!

[Excalibur]

..also check nothing flapping about inside the camera.

In this shot in the centre pillar is a circular mark (every shot I took was the same) and it was caused by a hair stuck in the 35mm frame where the shutter works. I should have seen the hair in the viewfinder but too busy taking photos

[Minolfan]

If a hair is hanging around near the shutter frame it is not visible in the viewfinder. It is benaeth the mirror. You might see it when you inspect the camera during loading a new film.
My black ghost thing is somewhere in the viewfinder itself, so not damaging pictures, but making focusing and framing difficult.