Canon AE-1 Program, focusing screen question

[Stephen Winter]

Hello,
I recently purchased a Canon AE-1 program and everything is fine except for the image in the viewfinder not being clear. You are able to see circles inside the viewfinder which are identical to what I found on the focusing screen. I don't know much about this camera and where to go from here. Is there a way to get rid of the circles that are viable? Cleaning or repair? Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Stephen

 

[AgX]

I never saw such artefact.

Do I understand correctly that you made this photograph through the eyepice? What was in front of the camera?
You see this pattern too, when you look from the front into the mirrobox, up onto the screen underside?

Modern screens do have a moulded-in lens that we call fresnell-lens. That got a a circular grid pattern, but should not be visible that promininent in a screen

 

[AgX]

A wild guess would be that somehow that lens grid got filthy, thus pronouncing that grid structure.

 

[Stephen Winter]

I never saw such artefact.

Do I understand correctly that you made this photograph through the eyepice? What was in front of the camera?
You see this pattern too, when you look from the front into the mirrobox, up onto the screen underside?

Modern screens do have a moulded-in lens that we call fresnell-lens. That got a a circular grid pattern, but should not be visible that promininent in a screen

Yes the photo I took was through the eyepiece and it was just a tile wall in the frame. I added a picture of the focusing screen and how the circles are on that as well..

 

[John Koehrer]

The AE 1Program has user replaceable screens. Not very expensive <$20
There may be a how-to on youtube.