Lens Cleaner
Mar 27, 2012 17:32:05 #
I was given a box of eyeglass lens cleaner. Each wrapped in an individual package. They feel a little moist but not excessive. Is this a No No for camera lens cleaning?
Mar 27, 2012 17:51:55 #
I've paid big bucks for my camera equipment, I'm not going to use anything on it unless I'm positive it won't cause it harm.
Mar 27, 2012 18:00:33 #
The coating on eye-glasses, is not as susceptible to damage as a photographic lens. I would not use any product, other than a certified coated optical glass cleaner. Made for specifically! cleaning photographic lenses.
Mar 27, 2012 18:39:48 #
I have been using Zeiss Lens Cleaning wipes for years with no ill effects. Almost all of the so called specifically made for photo lens is just a mix of alcohol and distilled water no magic formula.
Lens Cleaning Facts and Myths
Myth: It's more difficult to clean dirt from multicoated lenses andfilters than uncoated or monocoated versions. Fact:Oil and grease are much more visible on multicoated optics, so it's more difficult toremove every last visible trace. For example, a grease smear (possibly left over from afingerprint) which shows up on a multicoated filter would be invisible on an uncoatedfilter. There would be the same amount of contamination on both. The oil is more visibleon the multicoated filter because it negates the anti-reflection effect of the coating andso appears as a brighter spot. On an uncoated filter the surface reflectivity isessentially unaffected, so it's much harder to see.
Myth: You need to take more care cleaning modern coated andmulticoated optics than older uncoated optics. Fact: If acoating is properly applied, it can be almost as hard as the glass itself and it bondsvery strongly to the glass surface at the molecular level. Properly applied coatings can'tbe removed with lens cleaning solvents, nor can they be rubbed off. Of course,anything is possible if the coating hasn't been applied properly. However for most modernname-brand multicoated lenses and filters, normal care is all that's neededfor cleaning.
Fact: If you're cleaning older lenses, extra care may be needed. Some coated lenses manufactured though the1950s (and maybe even as late as the 1960s) had fairly soft coatings. The early Leitz 50/2Summicron is sometimes cited as an example of a lens with a coating that can be easilyscratched. It's also possible that some early coatings don't adhere to the glass as well as modern coatings and can also be damaged by cleaning fluids containing ammonia, sothat's another factor to bear in mind when working with coated optics made before the 1960s.
Lens Cleaning Facts and Myths
Myth: It's more difficult to clean dirt from multicoated lenses andfilters than uncoated or monocoated versions. Fact:Oil and grease are much more visible on multicoated optics, so it's more difficult toremove every last visible trace. For example, a grease smear (possibly left over from afingerprint) which shows up on a multicoated filter would be invisible on an uncoatedfilter. There would be the same amount of contamination on both. The oil is more visibleon the multicoated filter because it negates the anti-reflection effect of the coating andso appears as a brighter spot. On an uncoated filter the surface reflectivity isessentially unaffected, so it's much harder to see.
Myth: You need to take more care cleaning modern coated andmulticoated optics than older uncoated optics. Fact: If acoating is properly applied, it can be almost as hard as the glass itself and it bondsvery strongly to the glass surface at the molecular level. Properly applied coatings can'tbe removed with lens cleaning solvents, nor can they be rubbed off. Of course,anything is possible if the coating hasn't been applied properly. However for most modernname-brand multicoated lenses and filters, normal care is all that's neededfor cleaning.
Fact: If you're cleaning older lenses, extra care may be needed. Some coated lenses manufactured though the1950s (and maybe even as late as the 1960s) had fairly soft coatings. The early Leitz 50/2Summicron is sometimes cited as an example of a lens with a coating that can be easilyscratched. It's also possible that some early coatings don't adhere to the glass as well as modern coatings and can also be damaged by cleaning fluids containing ammonia, sothat's another factor to bear in mind when working with coated optics made before the 1960s.
Mar 27, 2012 21:46:29 #
Mar 27, 2012 21:49:39 #
MT Shooter wrote:
I have been using the Zeiss Wipes for over 2 years now, they are great.
That's exactly what I have!
Mar 27, 2012 22:23:09 #
ioptfm wrote:
That's exactly what I have!
MT Shooter wrote:
I have been using the Zeiss Wipes for over 2 years now, they are great.
That's exactly what I have!
They sell a 50 pack at WalMart now for only $2.97, pretty sweet deal! I used to pay $16 for 100 of them at B&H
Mar 27, 2012 22:25:00 #
Mar 27, 2012 22:30:15 #
Pepper
Loc: Planet Earth Country USA
I've been using Zeiss Wipes since MT Shooter recommended them to me several weeks ago and they really work well especially when the lens has oily finger prints. Great recommendation.
Mar 27, 2012 22:31:43 #
gmcase wrote:
Microfiber only here.
I use microfibers all the time for quick touch-ups, but the wipes are best for fingerprints, waterspots, pine tar and lipstick.
Mar 27, 2012 22:57:22 #
ioptfm wrote:
I was given a box of eyeglass lens cleaner. Each wrapped in an individual package. They feel a little moist but not excessive. Is this a No No for camera lens cleaning?
Hi ioptfm: I recently read, in one of my photo books or maybe it was on line or even possibly here at UHH about a disposable camera optical lens cleaner and like the micro fiber lens cleaner it did no damage to a lens or the coating, infact it promoted the fact it was a one time use becaues (according to the information) the reusable lens cleaner cloth like the micro fiber would hold minuet particles of dust and dirt that could scratch a lens. That made sense to me. Only problem is I can't remember who made them or where to find the information again. Maybe these Zeiss Wipes are the same thing?
Mar 27, 2012 22:59:03 #
MT Shooter wrote:
I use microfibers all the time for quick touch-ups, but the wipes are best for fingerprints, waterspots, pine tar and lipstick.
gmcase wrote:
Microfiber only here.
I use microfibers all the time for quick touch-ups, but the wipes are best for fingerprints, waterspots, pine tar and lipstick.
and beer!
Mar 27, 2012 23:01:23 #
travlnman46 wrote:
quote=ioptfm I was given a box of eyeglass lens c... (show quote)
You may be thinking of PEC wipes. I used to use those until B&H was out of them once and recommended the Zeiss product to me. Been using the Zeiss ever since.
Mar 28, 2012 06:50:43 #
MT Shooter wrote:
I use microfibers all the time for quick touch-ups, but the wipes are best for fingerprints, waterspots, pine tar and lipstick.
gmcase wrote:
Microfiber only here.
I use microfibers all the time for quick touch-ups, but the wipes are best for fingerprints, waterspots, pine tar and lipstick.
Lipstick on you lens??? That's the first time I've heard of such a thing! :)
Mar 28, 2012 06:52:32 #
MT Shooter wrote:
They sell a 50 pack at WalMart now for only $2.97, pretty sweet deal! I used to pay $16 for 100 of them at B&H
ioptfm wrote:
That's exactly what I have!
MT Shooter wrote:
I have been using the Zeiss Wipes for over 2 years now, they are great.
That's exactly what I have!
They sell a 50 pack at WalMart now for only $2.97, pretty sweet deal! I used to pay $16 for 100 of them at B&H
Thanks for the tip!!
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