In article <4r75hk$q9u@panix.com>, kkoller@panix.com says...

>While in Colorado last week, the mirror in my Minolta 7xi picked up a few
>specs of dust. Since I am still very new to SLR photography, can someone
>tell me
>a> will these specs show up on my negatives
---No, and if you see them in the viewfinder, they are on the
viewing screen, and not on the mirror.
>b> the best way to clean it - air, etc?
---Avoid air, if possible, unless the viewing screen is removeable
- it will just force more dust above the viewing screen where
only a repair will remove it. A large air bulb can be used VERY
GENTLY to move dust on the lower surface of the screen and on
the mirror, but avoid using much air pressure. Using a brush
is unwise, unless it is VERY soft, and VERY clean. It is too
late now, but it is best to prevent dust from entering the
camera by keeping the open-time short, avoiding wind, and holding
the camera face down when changing lenses - this has kept my
camera viewfinders dust-free for years.
>c> how much (typically) camera shops charge to clean a camera
I don't know.
Hope This Helps