Lens cleaning: Looking for recommendations on the most effective method of cleaning the front glass of a lens. I accidentally scratched one of my favorite lenses and not a happy camper.

Trynforpar Loc: The Villages, Florida

Looking for recommendations on the most effective method of cleaning the front glass of a lens. I accidentally scratched one of my favorite lenses and not a happy camper.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Dust blower and if necessary followed by a gentle brushing with the soft brush part of a lens pen. If that fails (rare) then a gentle application with a Zeiss wipe.

I never use (though lots of people do) the carbonised end of a lens pen.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

How did ti get scratched?
If with a lens cloth, I understand your question...
Use Zeise Lens Cleaning Wipes - moistened one time use wipes in a sealed package, guessing - 500+ in a box for less than $10.00 at Sam's club

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Trynforpar wrote:

Looking for recommendations on the most effective method of cleaning the front glass of a lens. I accidentally scratched one of my favorite lenses and not a happy camper.

There are probably as many ways to clean lenses as there are people cleaning lenses. I can't help you in that regard. I use high quality clear lens protectors so that I never have to touch the lens and its coatings. I have yet to find a downside to using a properly designed protector.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Searcher wrote:

Dust blower and if necessary followed by a gentle brushing with the soft brush part of a lens pen. If that fails (rare) then a gentle application with a Zeiss wipe.

I never use (though lots of people do) the carbonised end of a lens pen.

:thumbup:

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

LFingar wrote:

There are probably as many ways to clean lenses as there are people cleaning lenses. I can't help you in that regard. I use high quality clear lens protectors so that I never have to touch the lens and its coatings. I have yet to find a downside to using a properly designed protector.

There is much controversy about protector filters. But I have allways used them to prevent scratching or worse. I am not a pro so I don't sell my work and I can't tell the difference between clear filters or not anyway

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

boberic wrote:

There is much controversy about protector filters. But I have allways used them to prevent scratching or worse. I am not a pro so I don't sell my work and I can't tell the difference between clear filters or not anyway

I'm in agreement with this. I have done away with the traditional UV filter (most claim UV not needed on digital cameras) and gone to optical quality clear lens filters (Hoya, B&W, etc.). Filters are still cheaper than lens.

Trynforpar Loc: The Villages, Florida

I used a lens cloth and it developed fine scratches on the lens film.

BillKe

Agree--I cannot remember the last time I cleaned a lens other than blowing dust off the front element. Have cleaned LOTS of filters and never shoot without one.

I use B&W filters which are excellent (and costly).

Agedwell Loc: Austin

BboH wrote:

How did ti get scratched?
If with a lens cloth, I understand your question...
Use Zeise Lens Cleaning Wipes - moistened one time use wipes in a sealed package, guessing - 500+ in a box for less than $10.00 at Sam's club

:thumbup:
My box from Sam's held 90 and I'm only half through after many years. Otherwise, blow and brush.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Moving forward, a UV filter is cheap insurance. I do not think I've ever used one of my prime lenses without a UV or Polarizing filter.

Also, Lens Pen has revised their carbon cleaner head recently. I have excellent results.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Also, Lens Pen has revised their carbon cleaner head recently. I have excellent results.

In my above post where I said I do not use the carbon end of a lens pen, I should have stressed that I have absolutely no evidence, whether anecdotal or otherwise, that these pens are bad for lenses. I simply do not use that end of the pen. I buy them because the brush is so fine and soft, much better than the artists brush I used to use.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Trynforpar wrote:

Looking for recommendations on the most effective method of cleaning the front glass of a lens. I accidentally scratched one of my favorite lenses and not a happy camper.

I like the Rocket blower and Zeiss lens wipes. A little scratch on the front of the lens isn't a big deal.

http://www.amazon.com/Zeiss-Pre-Moistened-Lens-Cloths-Wipes/dp/B0030E4UIQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401450481&sr=8-1&keywords=zeiss+lens+cleaning+pads

http://kurtmunger.com/dirty_lens_articleid35.html

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2008/10/front-element-scratches

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I utilize Lens Clens a couple of drops does the job available from Artie Morris

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Billbobboy42 wrote:

I'm in agreement with this. I have done away with the traditional UV filter (most claim UV not needed on digital cameras) and gone to optical quality clear lens filters (Hoya, B&W, etc.). Filters are still cheaper than lens.

I agree, I have step up rings taking all of my lens filter sizes to 77mm. Use 77mm ultra clear glass on each lens then I have 1 ea of several uv, circular and regular polarizers that can go on any lens. Plus, all lens caps are 77 mm so I don't have to look for the correct cap. It makes everything simpler and less expensive in buying filters.