Lens Cleaning Solution: Hello, I have a bottle of (Eclipse Optical Cleaning Fluid) used for cleaning the sensor on my camera. Should this Cleaning Fluid be used for cleaning my lenses...

megharupa8 Loc: Dallas Texas

Hello,
I have a bottle of (Eclipse Optical Cleaning Fluid) used for cleaning the sensor on my camera.

Should this Cleaning Fluid be used for cleaning my lenses, or is something else recommended??

regards

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

megharupa8 wrote:

Hello,
I have a bottle of (Eclipse Optical Cleaning Fluid) used for cleaning the sensor on my camera.

Should this Cleaning Fluid be used for cleaning my lenses, or is something else recommended??

regards

It's probably just alcohol, so it would be good for sensor and lens. That's all those "special solutions" are - alcohol. Although the liquid might be the same, the material that does the wiping is different, so be sure to use only material designated for sensor cleaning on your sensor.

People have known for years that enough alcohol can make any problem go away, at least temporarily. :D

JPL

Lens pen is very good for your lenses.

megharupa8 Loc: Dallas Texas

Yes, thank you

JPL wrote:

Lens pen is very good for your lenses.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

megharupa8 wrote:

Hello,
I have a bottle of (Eclipse Optical Cleaning Fluid) used for cleaning the sensor on my camera.

Should this Cleaning Fluid be used for cleaning my lenses, or is something else recommended??

regards

From Photosol's web site:

"ECLIPSE Optic Cleaning Fluid is the highest purity lens cleaner available. It dries as quickly as it can be applied, leaving absolutely no residue. That is why ECLIPSE, when used with SENSOR SWABS, is the only recommended cleaner for CCD and CMOS sensor cleaning. When used with PEC*PAD photo wipes, ECLIPSE is also safe and ideal for lens and filter cleaning.

When used with PEC*PAD photo wipes, Eclipse is also safe and ideal for lens and filter cleaning.

ECLIPSE is intended for all digital sensors and all critical optics."

I've used it to clean sensors and lenses and found that it works well for both uses. When I cleaned my lenses with it, I used the common lens cleaning tissues you can find in camera stores.

And yes, according to the MSDS (material safety data sheet), ECLIPSE is highly purified 100% methanol methyl alcohol. That makes it 100% poisonous, and highly flammable. It will suck the oils right out of your skin, so avoid contact.

The stuff works great, though!

cunnie Loc: Harrisburg, PA

I don't know anything about Eclipse. But,for whatever it's worth, many years ago when I was a graduate student doing microscopy with a Leitz microscope, a Leitz representative from Wetzlar came by and saw what I was doing. He cautioned me never to use alcohol to clean the microscope objectives because it would dissolve the cement. He told me to only use lighter fluid, which I have been using ever since.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

cunnie wrote:

I don't know anything about Eclipse. But,for whatever it's worth, many years ago when I was a graduate student doing microscopy with a Leitz microscope, a Leitz representative from Wetzlar came by and saw what I was doing. He cautioned me never to use alcohol to clean the microscope objectives because it would dissolve the cement. He told me to only use lighter fluid, which I have been using ever since.

That sounds strange.

http://leica.nemeng.com/020e.shtml

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

cunnie wrote:

I don't know anything about Eclipse. But,for whatever it's worth, many years ago when I was a graduate student doing microscopy with a Leitz microscope, a Leitz representative from Wetzlar came by and saw what I was doing. He cautioned me never to use alcohol to clean the microscope objectives because it would dissolve the cement. He told me to only use lighter fluid, which I have been using ever since.

One thought. Please do not apply the fluid directly to the lenses. Apply it to the lens tissue then wipe the lens element. This prevents excess fluid from going to the edges and possibly leaking behind the elements.

Dan Mc Loc: NM

Years ago, in a class, I recall using "Xylene" to clean then 'scopes. Not sure exactly what it was, but it cleaned quick and easy and no residue. It did have the aroma of lighter fluid though.

Bear123 Loc: Wild & Wonderful West Virginia

cunnie wrote:

I don't know anything about Eclipse. But,for whatever it's worth, many years ago when I was a graduate student doing microscopy with a Leitz microscope, a Leitz representative from Wetzlar came by and saw what I was doing. He cautioned me never to use alcohol to clean the microscope objectives because it would dissolve the cement. He told me to only use lighter fluid, which I have been using ever since.

Wouldn't the lighter fluid depending on the brand possibly contain petroleum distillates that might leave a oil-like coating? I would think any pure alcohol would be preferable for lens cleaning, even the drinking kind (ethanol) should work. Not sure about the cement used in the Leitz microscopes however.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Dan Mc wrote:

Years ago, in a class, I recall using "Xylene" to clean then 'scopes. Not sure exactly what it was, but it cleaned quick and easy and no residue. It did have the aroma of lighter fluid though.

We had that stuff in 55 gal drums in the metal shop for cleaning off grease and such, I sure would not put that stuff on a lens, it would most certainly destroy a lens caotings!

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Xylene is a benzene ring with two methyl groups. There are three ways to place two methyls to six carbons, so there are three isomers. Xylenol is a mixture of the three and is common in laboratories for cleaning things like microscope slides and oil immersion microscope lenses. It is flammable and should not be inhaled. The important thing in lens and sensor cleaning is to add the solvent to the swab which has no rough parts. Cotton Q-tips might work. I usually lean toward pieces of baby flannel pygamies (thousand times washed, of course). With respect to sensors I would lean toward one of those air bulb camels hair brushs (I don't know if real camels hair is used, but whatever is used if must be soft soft soft) and it be clean clean clean.

lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania

Architect1776 wrote:

One thought. Please do not apply the fluid directly to the lenses. Apply it to the lens tissue then wipe the lens element. This prevents excess fluid from going to the edges and possibly leaking behind the elements.

Excellent tip!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Bear123 wrote:

Wouldn't the lighter fluid depending on the brand possibly contain petroleum distillates that might leave a oil-like coating? I would think any pure alcohol would be preferable for lens cleaning, even the drinking kind (ethanol) should work. Not sure about the cement used in the Leitz microscopes however.

Speaking of lighter fluid, interesting article.

http://www.instructables.com/id/THE-ABSOLUTE-DOS-AND-DONTS-OF-ZIPPO-LIGHTERS/step1/basics-of-zippos/

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

When you clean the lens remember to spray your cloth with the cleaner and start in the center of the lens and work outward in small circular motions. A friend told me that he sprayed directly onto the lens and some sort of optical coating came off. He can still use the lens but he thinks its been degraded.