In article ...chipk@crocker.com (Chip Kaye) wrote:

>> The focusing screen on my Nikon 'F' is dirty/smudged and I was
>> wondering
>> if there is a good solvent for cleaning it. It's the plastic/resin
>> underside that needs to be cleaned and I know you have to be very
>> careful not to damage it. email me with any advice. Thanks.

Nikon screens are relatively cheap - if you mess up the F screen,
buy a new F3 screen, and (carefully!) switch the "glass" between
the frames. Try windex on Q-Tips LIGHTLY for cleaning a screen
that has oil on it.
Hope This Helps

In article <4mo0v2$i88@namesrv.mdc.net>, valhalla@mdc.net says...
[about BN post above]
>does this qtip windex approach work for all focus screens? i seem to
>have oil on my canon elan ii focus screen. since it won't really
>affect performance, i can't justify the money to replace it.

I would not recommend it unless the screen is removeable, and
therefore more easily cleaned (and easily and cheaply replaced,
if necessary). Being able to clean the viewfinder system is one
reason for having interchangeable screens/finders on cameras.
When the screen is not user removeable, blowing air on the screen
and mirror in an attempt to gently clean the VF often results in a worsening of the condition of the VF, since dust is driven to the
upper (inaccessable) surface of the viewing screen where it can
only be removed by a relatively expensive repair.
Hope This Helps