Equipment Lens Cleaning?

Hey guys,

Any tips as to what is best to purchase for lens cleaning? I managed to get one of my rather large sticky fingers on my 70-300 and I could do with cleaning the smudges off.

Cheers.

 

I used lens cleaning wipes from the optician and a lens cleaning cloth after to remove any smears.

 

Lens pens are good for removing water marks and similar on the glass.

 

I've got a Pentax cleaning cloth.

I'm not talking from experience so don't want to dash them too harshly, but I was advised strongly against lens pens. Especially seeing as I'd spent to much on glass I was told it was silly to skimp so much on cleaning equipment.

Buy a decent cloth and keep it in it's bag/cover when not in use to save it from contamination. I always rocket blow my elements before cleaning to ensure no debris is around which may scratch the element once I start rubbing it with the cloth.

 

I just use the lens cloths that I have picked up over the years of wearing glasses. A quick blow to get rid of loose dust and then circular motions, starting in the middle-working my way out. Wash the cloths regularly. For wet cleaning, the afore mentioned wet pads from an optical shop work fine.

It's worth noting that most modern optics are micro coated with various hardened layers, and are more robust then most people give them credit for. But why take chances.

 

Eclipse fluid and PEC pads. But before you wipe blast away any possible loose particles with a rocket blower (mines a Giotto)

 

Someone at work recently mentioned using the optic-preps used to clean the ends of network fiber cables... I have yet to try it, but he says it works great on his glass.
They even come in little pouches, similar to condoms, so are small and easy to carry around without getting dirty. They're even disposable.

 

I use a rock, with a rough texture!
Hehe...

Seriously, I use good tissue to clean glasses. Works for me.

 

I hate to say it, but tissue is basicaly an abbrasive to lenses; both corrective eyewear and camera lenses. Overtime tissues can and will wear off coatings. I learned this the hard way as a teenager with my glasses. Hence the popularity of microfiber cloths, which are designed for optics.

 

what exactly was these people's beef with lens pens, hwu? i use one (switched from a pack of lens tissues) and have yet to notice any issues... although am now a little concerned!

i guess you have to be very careful to make sure all debris is dusted off the surface before using the pen, but surely that goes for all cleaning methods anyway.

 

Agreed, as long are you are sensible lens pens work very well. It's all about checking your cleaning method before using it. With a pen it is important to check the tip for contamination just like you would with a cloth.

It is also important to blow off dust or grit before use and using them only when required.

 

As I said, this isn't from experience but rather from camera-store reccommendation. And when I say reccommendation I mean by proxy. Me Ma was wanting to get me some bits for Christmas '05 as I'd only had my SLR a month or so and hadn't yet gotten any cleaning kit past the blower.

She went in and asked, described the kind of kit I had, and they said steer clear of pens and instead sold her a microfibre Pentax cloth. I don't think the price was much (any) different so wasn't on that basis but she didn't explain (couldn't remember?) the reasons given, sorry.

They may well work fine, I've honestly never held one, let alone used one.

 

Quality lens tissue and your breath. All you need. Oh.. and a blower to remove any particulates BEFORE you wipe it.