Where Can I Buy Mirror Dampening Foam?

[Ariston]

I have tried searching eBay, but I get completely unrelated products, even when I throw the word "camera" in the mix.

 

[bdial]

I have tried searching eBay, but I get completely unrelated products, even when I throw the word "camera" in the mix.

Jon Goodman is the guy, he is occasionally active here (@Jon Goodman), but the best way to reach him is via email at jon_goodman@yahoo.com, last I heard, he doesn't have a website. Send him an email with what you need.
He does foam kits for many 35mm cameras.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

I have tried searching eBay, but I get completely unrelated products, even when I throw the word "camera" in the mix.

Try searching for "mirror DAMPING" foam. The other could be soap suds.

 

[Tel]

I've been making my own light seals for a couple of Nikon F2s and Nikkormats. I got some offcuts of 1.5mm foam from US Camera (3 strips 3/8 inch by 9 inch) for about $3. Self-adhesive.

 

[Nitroplait]

I don’t know where you live but Milly’s Cameras in the UK could be an option.

 

[Ariston]

Thanks all. I've actually bought light seals from John Goodman before - didn't know he did this.

 

[John Koehrer]

Michaels crafts carries a couple of sizes.

 

[MattKing]

Thanks all. I've actually bought light seals from John Goodman before - didn't know he did this.

He may not - at one time he stopped selling just foam, because his eBay competitors were buying it from him and then re-selling as part of incomplete and poorly made kits.
One further thing, and I know that this is a bit pendantic, but wouldn't you rather have foam that is damping, rather than dampening.
The latter is kind of "all wet".
And yes, I know, that the latter is used a lot when the former is meant, but still!!!

 

[E. von Hoegh]

He may not - at one time he stopped selling just foam, because his eBay competitors were buying it from him and then re-selling as part of incomplete and poorly made kits.
One further thing, and I know that this is a bit pendantic, but wouldn't you rather have foam that is damping, rather than dampening.
The latter is kind of "all wet".
And yes, I know, that the latter is used a lot when the former is meant, but still!!!

See post 3 above. Words have meanings. You're not pedantic, merely literate.

 

[MattKing]

See post 3 above. Words have meanings. You're not pedantic, merely literate.

I totally missed the fact that you had noticed that!

 

[E. von Hoegh]

I totally missed the fact that you had noticed that!

Utterly.
Not "totally". Should I rescind the compliment?

 

[MattKing]

Utterly.
Not "totally". Should I rescind the compliment?

How about just "I missed". Brevity being important as well.

 

[Ariston]

I take offense at the suggestion that I am not literite just because I used the word dampening instead of damping.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

How about just "I missed". Brevity being important as well.

Works for me!

 

[E. von Hoegh]

I take offense at the suggestion that I am not literite just because I used the word dampening instead of damping.

Ariston, I do not even know if you are a native speaker of English.
The misuse of "dampening" for "damping" is everywhere, and we tend to repeat what we hear. I count myself fortunate that I have friends to correct me when I stray.
Btw, it's "illiterate"

 

[MattKing]

I believe that Ariston forgot the sarcasm emoticon when he posted.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

I believe that Ariston forgot the sarcasm emoticon when he posted.

Thanks. I was wondering. Just thought I'd stay in character.
Else, St. Ambrose would be displeased with me.

 

[Ariston]

Yes, I was being playful - poking fun at myself!

I play piano, which has a damper pedal, so you would think I would know...

 

[George Mann]

I got some offcuts of 1.5mm foam from US Camera (3 strips 3/8 inch by 9 inch) for about $3. Self-adhesive.

Is this actually thick enough to properly buffer the mirror?

I got a kit from a seller in Austin that did not provide an adequate piece for the mirror.

The strip in the kit was the same thickness as the one for the door hinge, and not long enough to cover the entire strip.

 

[Tel]

I used it in several 35mm Nikon SLRs and it was thick enough to prevent metal-to-glass contact. They sell the stuff in various thicknesses; you could buy 2mm or thicker. As long as the mirror in the "up" position is clear of the image path, everything's OK.

 

[George Mann]

Mirror foam is used to buffer the mirror beyond just the point of contact.

My Nikkormat has a 3mm strip, which is an adequate amount.

 

[AgX]

I think the types of original buffers vary a lot (a asumption based on the relics found in mirrorboxes).

 

[George Mann]

I think the types of original buffers vary a lot (a asumption based on the relics found in mirrorboxes).

Yes. My F90x has a well damped mirror brake, and therefore employs a thinner foam strip.

 

[AgX]

Some even only got a plain rubber strip, if I remember right. Yes, it all depends on the internal brake. I assume one thus may experiment with such foam rubber buffers.

 

[albada]

The Olympus OM-10 (and probably OM-G) has no braking/damping, so it relies on the mirror-foam to avoid bouncing after hitting the top. I have fired a couple of OM-10s and could see that the mirror was bouncing back down a little during the exposure. I conclude that having suitable foam up there is important. OTOH, the mirror-bounce appeared to hurt nothing, as it did not occlude the lens, and I saw no evidence of light from the eyepiece fogging the film.
Mark Overton