Mirror in 35mm Nikkormat.

[Mike Kennedy]

I was given an old FT that has the most dreadful mirror I've ever seen.Beyond any type of cleaning and can't be changed.
Will it's horrid condition effect my photos? (Thought I'd use it as a beater).

 

[fschifano]

Directly? Not one bit. The mirror flips up and out of the optical path just before the exposure is made. Focusing may be difficult though, and the light meter will likely be off, if indeed it works. Are you sure the mirror can't be changed out? A competent repair tech should be able to handle the job. I doubt that it would be fiscally responsible to do so.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Thanks Frank.A repair would be 100 +.Not worth it.
Fun little camera non-the -less.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

I was given an old FT that has the most dreadful mirror I've ever seen.Beyond any type of cleaning

Is it dreadful in that is covered with guck or dreadful in that the silver has flaked off?

If it is guck, then you have little to lose using cleaner and a toothbrush. If the guck is light windex should do. If the guck is really heavy and organic - somone spewed yogurt - then mix up some enzyme dish detergent, pick up a bit on the brush and apply. Let several applications soak in over an hour or so. Loosen by running the toothbrush over the guck - with no pressure. Remove the guck with a microfibre cloth putting little (no) pressure on the mirror using a dabbing motion. Don't try to get it all off in one go. It may take 1/2 dozen.

The mirror is a lot less fragile than it is made out to be, but do not apply pressure. There is a chance the guck has attacked the mirroring and it comes off with the guck - _now_ you would have a desilvered mirror.