LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

References for the prior/above post:

https://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/83548/what-happens-if-anti-reflective-coating-is-fully-ruined-or-removed-from-lens-mo

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

Now, that all being said, care of equipment is not an unimportant thing ... but lens cleanliness is largely a cosmetic/aesthetic compulsion.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

IMHO the most critical issue is the use of a high light transmission filter with low reflectivity over the front element,

The tested best for light transmission were:

LEICA - 99.9% and quite pricey.

NIKON - 99.8%. I own several and they perform quite well, but still not inexpensive.

MARUMI - 99.7%. Reasonably priced but I've never actually seen one.

B+W - 99.7% and the absolute value of the high end and certainly top quality materials and construction.

Any below 99% I wouldn't use as there are better choices for the same or less money. HOYA at 99.5% is the bargain high performer, but only by a few dollars and there filter frame seems a bit less than a B+W. I have heard that HOYA makes at least some NIKON filters, but I can't confirm this.

The best for reflectivity were:

LEICA - 0.1%.

NIKON - 0.2%

MARUMI - 0.3%

B+W - 0.3%

Anything over 1% is IMHO dicey.

The best tested across the board to be the most free of optical distortion and/or aberration were the B+W filter line.

https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2017/06/the-comprehensive-ranking-of-the-major-uv-filters-on-the-market/

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

The bottom line is that any of many lens wipes will do a very admirable job.

ZEISS and NIKON are both really good, although their strengths and weaknesses are a bit different. Ive also used BAUSCH & LOMB with good results along with a few others.

The only brand that disappointed was INVISIBLE GLASS which was incredibly wet and spotty/streaky.

Bottom line is that everybody likes a nice sparkly front element ... but unless you have no common sense at all, the odds of ruining a front element from cleaning are very small.

Damage to the front element is far more likely from blowing debris which a good front filter will take the hit and allow the lens to survive far more often than not.

On top of that if I lose a filter I'm out far less than a lens replacement.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Yeah baby!

Budgiehawk

Zeiss wipes, available by the Walmart optical department are great for both camera lenses and glasses. I have used them for at least a year now and am very pleased with the results. They are cheap too.

wingate2417 Loc: Quincy, Ca.

Gosh I don’t like anything touching my lenses. I use a lens shade and cap up the lens when I’m done shooing.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

I do also.

I don’t want to damage a filter, they are still spendy enough to be cautious with.

Plus, I will admit a hooded lens looks a bit cooler.

wingate2417 Loc: Quincy, Ca.

I’m not willing to put anything in front of my glass.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

I have used Nikon wipes with good success. BUT know this, I used them on my glasses and they scratched the lens coatings. I guess the camera lens coatings are more abrasion resistant.

yahart53

Costco has some very nice, moist wipes.
Flents "Wipe'NClear. Three boxes of 75 packets each. On sale for about six bucks.
They are soft and quilted.

k2edm Loc: FN32AD

yeh,me too (zeiss)..work just fine for me.. but you gotta use 'em b4 the alcohol evaporates

Budgiehawk

Me too. I use the Zeiss wipes on eyeglasses and expesive photography lenses. There has never been damage, They work very well and are cheap.