This is the view through the VF of an old Ricoh KR10 SLR I have. Does anybody know what the black dot is at 12 o’clock of the focus circle (?) and where it could physically be.

Is it cleanableoffable?

Ta loves.

I think that’s Saturn coming into ascension. The darker bit below it is the moon waxing…

HTH

looks like a dust spot on the viewfinder – the sharp focus suggests to me it’s there rather than further down the way.

Or, it could be something designed to show you the location of the upright – i.e. that’s the dot on the centre line, given that the split focus screen runs at 45 deg

its dust, don’t bother trying to clean it.

I will not effect your pictures

Compressed air can – remove lens (if possible) and open the shutter – give it a blast from the air can and hopefully it will remove the dust particle.

I’m not photographer but I’ve seen that done…

It is muck on the focus screen , the screen the mirror reflects the image onto.
If it is on the outside – most likely – then you can easily remove it.
Take the lens off and turn the camera upside down – the white/gray screen should be obvious.
Do not rub the screen as depending on the design you will find that the
screen is rough/machined on the side you can access – flick the lump of dirt off with a lens brush or similar.
Note that as it is a biggish lump it may be part of the mirror buffer foam degrading – hence do not use a powerful air blower as it will send bits everywhere including the shutter – which could kill it.
Some cameras have removable fucus screens – but not yours.

Thanks all.

I’ve put some film in and fitted a 28-70mm lens. I’m good to go.

Lock and load.

A goose feather (seriously) is probably the best thing for cleaning dust off focusing screens. They have a slightly “sticky” feel (because of the microscopic bards) which seems to grab hold of the dust better than a brush.

I got the tip from John Hermanson

@Dick Barton – you can’t clean screens with the shutter open as the mirror will then be obscuring the screen.