In article <5ghhoq$2d4@nntp5.u.washington.edu>, romulan@u.washington.edu says...
>In article
>Andrew Koenig
>>In article <01bc31d5$a7ca9d80$e5f44ecf@bikeman.access.one.net> "Bikeman"
>>> I just purchased a new Nikon N50 and there is a small scratch on the mirror
>>> inside the camera...I cant see it throught the viewfinder and was wondering
>>> if I should take it back or they will be there on the next one. Any harm?,
>>> etc...
>>It should not be possible to see a scratch on the mirror through the
>>viewfinder.
>Sorry, it is quite possible. I was using my old Ricoh, and I was afraid
>the scratch was on the lens since I could see it as I was taking pictures.
>I got the pictures back and they were fine. I looked at the camera, and
>there is a definite scratch on the mirror. I see it all the time as that
>is how the image is shown to me through the viewfinder. Obviously, if a
>mirror has a scratch, it can reflect the image at that particular spot.
>Instead, you see no reflection, a black mark the exact shape of the
>scratch.
>
>As to returning the camera, I don't know. My camera works just fine. I
>just see it when I look through the viewfinder. I'm used to it now. I
>supoose it would depend on how big the scratch is and where it is. Does it
>interfere with your ability to focus properly?
I agree with AK - a scratch on the mirror (or lens) would not generally be
visible in the finder - but a hair (or dust) near or on the VF screen would
be visible as a dark line (or spots) in the VF. I suspect that the original
poster may have gotten a hair into the VF system either through improper
handling of the camera when the lens was off, or as a result of blowing
into the camera - unless it was there when purchased, in which case,
I would return it for exchange, if possible.
Hope This Helps