benbawden
newbie
Reged: 08/08/2006
Posts: 6
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Hi all
Can someone recommend a good lens cleaning system? At the moment I use bellows with a brush on the end and a microfibre cloth.
The bellows seem to lack the oomph to shift some of the dust, and I also find the cloth a bit smeary. Should I be using some kind of cleaning liquid as well, or will that damage the coating?
There's just too much choice out there, so I want to get a personal recommendation.
Thanks
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pachinkofan
old hand
Reged: 25/08/2005
Posts: 843
Loc: Near Stirling, Scotland
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I use a lens pen [got from Jessops years ago] when I do need to clean them. Not had to clean the digi compact since I got it, but give it the occasional blow out with the air ball thing.
Use the microfibre cloth on my glasses [got it free from this mag a while back] and when it smears like that I normally have to put some liquid on it / water, but you might want to try washing the cloth, I stick mine in the washing machine now and again, but I'm not sure how it'd react with your camera lens if it had residual chemicals etc...
G>
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TRU: Delayed on PS2 til Jan.
Time to get the camera out again... 
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beejaybee
Marvin
Reged: 18/07/2007
Posts: 4980
Loc: Really Here In Name Only
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Quote:
Can someone recommend a good lens cleaning system?
As little as possible. A bit of dust is not likely to have any significant effect on image quality.
I find a rocket blower best when dust does need to be shifted.
A lens pen is useful for basket cases but I wouldn't reccomend overuse - and dislodge the grit first, you don't want to grind it in.
IMO grease is best dealt with by a proprietary lens cleaning fluid applied with a scrupulously clean handkerchief, a cotton one which has been laundered hundreds of times until it's soft (and shabby). You may still need the lens pen to remove residual smearing.
As it's the front end that usually gets dirtiest (especially water spray, kiddies sticky fingers etc.) I'd strongly reccommend using a (good quality) protective filter, which can be cleaned without risking damage to the lens coating.
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benbawden
newbie
Reged: 08/08/2006
Posts: 6
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Thanks for the advice. I'll try the rocket blower.
I do have a IR filter on my lenses the whole time, so the actual front of the lens rarely needs cleaning.
Do you think a cotton hankie is better than the "proper" lens cleaning cloths? What cleaning fluid is best to use? Some of the fluid I've used has left quite bad smearing behind.
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Fen
BAD WOLF
Reged: 12/03/2002
Posts: 20929
Loc: Currently Unknown!
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Quote:
I do have a IR filter on my lenses the whole time, so the actual front of the lens rarely needs cleaning.
An IR Filter? Do you only do Infra-Red photography then?
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Fen .......... My Galleries - My Blog - My Flickr
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benbawden
newbie
Reged: 08/08/2006
Posts: 6
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D'oh! I meant a UV filter. Idiot! 
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beejaybee
Marvin
Reged: 18/07/2007
Posts: 4980
Loc: Really Here In Name Only
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Quote:
Do you think a cotton hankie is better than the "proper" lens cleaning cloths?
Honestly, yes.
Quote:
What cleaning fluid is best to use?
Haven't noticed any difference but do not try tape head cleaner, which contains a glycerol-based detergent which will cause smearing.
Quote:
Some of the fluid I've used has left quite bad smearing behind.
Presumably because the lens was greasy to start with. This is why I suggest cotton, if scrupulously clean it will absorb grease quite well. And the lens pen will finish it.
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Learning
Ethelred the Ill-Named
Reged: 26/09/2006
Posts: 2341
Loc: Nottingham
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You can't anticipate when this will be needed. A well worn cotten handkerchief will do ( a blower will have no effect whatsoever). Just try to avoid a snotty bit. At a later convenient time try one of those artificial fibre towels sold by Millets and Blacks moistened with screen cleaner sold by computer stores.
I am sure that a camera store will sell you something almost as good at ten times the price.
Edited by Learning (09/05/2008 21:09)
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Nod
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 08/04/2006
Posts: 4334
Loc: Devon, UK.
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A couple of years ago, I bought a "lens polishing cloth" from Vision Express - £1.50. It works a treat on grubby lenses (with a "huff" of breath) and if necessary, a quick go with a lens cleaning tissue and fluid gets rid of any stubborn greasy marks.
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MATWSIJ.....
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IvorETower
Little Buttercup
Reged: 15/11/2006
Posts: 1759
Loc: Camberley, Surrey
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I use Bouchard optical lens wipes, slightly moist small cloths in sealed foil containers. I think I bought them in a supermarket or hardware shop. I believe that they are targeted at spectacle wearers
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Too many cameras, too many lenses.......
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willie45
old hand
Reged: 08/05/2006
Posts: 752
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I use the rocket blower mentioned above and also the lens pen from Jessops when needed ( like the other day when, having forgotten my blower, I blew a bit of gob on my lens trying to clean it ! )
For more stubborn stains the lens pen seems to give amazingly good results. I have often heard that many of the proprietary cleaning fluid can damage the lens coatings; not sure it this is true or not but I haven't used them for this reason.
Willie
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John_K
addict
Reged: 03/09/2006
Posts: 575
Loc: North Yorks
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I use canned compressed air to shift the big bits, and any smears or marks such as water splashes etc I use the cleaner you get from Boots for specs. That so far (after many years) has never damaged the coating on my glasses.
When the pump spray is empty, you can refil it for about 10p with exactly what they charge over £5 for. A 50cc pump bottle needs 40cc distilled or ionised water, 5cc wetting agent and 5cc isoproply alcohol. I have all the above so it costs me nothing.
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beejaybee
Marvin
Reged: 18/07/2007
Posts: 4980
Loc: Really Here In Name Only
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Quote:
I use canned compressed air to shift the big bits,
You should be careful about this. The gas expansion causes sudden adiabatic cooling and can crack lenses; also "compressed air" usually isn't, it's just a normal aerosol propellant (probably butane), liquid can sputter out and this may dissolve lens coatings.
Quote:
40cc distilled or ionised water, 5cc wetting agent and 5cc isoproply alcohol.
In my experience wetting agent goes a long, long way ... I'd suggest 0.1% is more than enough!
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