Lens cleaning for exterior surface: I have very good glass and want to be extremely careful with my lenses and do everything I can to keep them in great shape. I have seen many...

folkus

I have very good glass and want to be extremely careful with my lenses and do everything I can to keep them in great shape. I have seen many articles that suggest lens cloths and wiping them in a circular direction; use an air bulb (like Giotto sp?) instead of compressed air from a can, etc. What do the very knowledgeable UHHers - those that have anal tendencies with their lenses (don't go there, please) - do to clean their lenses? Do you clean less than the average photographer? Do you use Q tips? Do you use any solvents? Do you use distilled water? Do you clean after every shoot? Do you not worry about a little film or dust on a small portion of the lens. Are you a neatnik when it comes to your lenses? Is the whole lens cleaning thing just blown out of all proportion? What are your secret tricks for lens cleanliness? Are all lens cloths created equal? I am not talking about extreme cases like dropping a lens face down in mud or cement or in WD-40 - just normal use and the effects of everyday use on the lens. All serious replies appreciated.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I protect my lenses with a high quality UV Filter. With that said, I have never had to cleans my front lens elements.If the filter gets dirty I use lens tissue and Kodak lens Cleaning fluid after brushing any dirt off with a lens brush.. I do not like these new Micro fiber lens towels that smear the firt around.

folkus

Thanks PixelStan77 for your quick and helpful reply.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

folkus wrote:

I have very good glass and want to be extremely careful with my lenses and do everything I can to keep them in great shape. All serious replies appreciated.

I use these and a micro fiber cloth (very gently) to clean my lens as least often as possible.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Zeiss-0000002127720-000000-2127-720-Box-Lens-Wipes-24-count/44363110

I also keep a high quality UV filter as my lens cap, with a screw on cap over the UV.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Diameter_77mm&ci=297&N=4077634522+4294955103+4294955139
I take the screw cap off and leave the UV on if I am shooting "normal" stuff like family and harsh conditions like the beach. If I am set up for landscape on a tripod or shooting birds I would take the UV off. I find this method keep the dust down and limits cleaning.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

PixelStan77 wrote:

I protect my lenses with a high quality UV Filter. With that said, I have never had to cleans my front lens elements.If the filter gets dirty I use lens tissue and Kodak lens Cleaning fluid after brushing any dirt off with a lens brush.. I do not like these new Micro fiber lens towels that smear the dirt around.

Ditto. One drop of fluid and a wadded up lens tissue.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

First - A hand blower (bulb; NO compressed/canned air),
Second - Very soft brush; keep in plastic bag when not used to avoid collecting dust),
Third - Zeiss individual lens wipes,
Last - FINE microfiber cloth (photo type; not the "kitchen/bath" textured type) with a small amount of Zeiss Lens Cleaner sprayed on corner of cloth (never directly on lens).

folkus

Thanks for your advice, Mogul.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

These links may help -

http://www.diyphotography.net/clean-camera-lenses-check-problems/
https://photographylife.com/how-to-clean-slr-camera-lenses

Psdunner

I have been using Lenspens with good results-has a brush built in and a circular carbon disc-look it up. Find it cleans better than anything with no trauma. They have a series of them including one specifically for filters.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I keep a good quality UV filter on all of my optics. This keeps accidental fingerprints off the surfaces. I also use a high quality micro fiber lens cloth with each of my lenses. I clean the filters regularly. The lens surfaces about every 3 months.
--Bob

folkus wrote:

I have very good glass and want to be extremely ca... (show quote)

folkus

Thanks, Bob.

radiumjohn Loc: Pulaski, Virginia, USA

PixelStan77 wrote:

I protect my lenses with a high quality UV Filter. With that said, I have never had to cleans my front lens elements.If the filter gets dirty I use lens tissue and Kodak lens Cleaning fluid after brushing any dirt off with a lens brush.. I do not like these new Micro fiber lens towels that smear the firt around.

I like your term "firt". It's such a good word, I'll have to find a good use for it. I feel it was a typographical error, but it could also be serendipity.

radiumjohn Loc: Pulaski, Virginia, USA

folkus wrote:

I have very good glass and want to be extremely ca... (show quote)

Great question!

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

folkus wrote:

I have very good glass and want to be extremely ca... (show quote)

Simple process.

Inspection, to see if needed.

A quick huff and a clean micro fiber wipe on my filter. (Always have one on.)

If dirt gets on lens body. First a simple wipe normally cleans it. If not I grab a toothbrush to clean the grit in the nitty-gritty parts. (Maybe I'm an unskilled hiker but I have tripped and gotten mud of my gear before.) I always carry a toothbrush in my pack and have cut the length in half to fit pouch. A tooth brush is great for camera body crevices also.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

folkus wrote:

I have very good glass and want to be extremely ca... (show quote)

okay, i agree with the other poster's recommendation for the use of UV filters on all your lenses. when cleaning either the filter or the front or rear lens surfaces, a drop of lens cleaner on a sheet of lens tissue, gently wiping in a circular motion, will do nicely. do not place the drop of lens cleaner directly on the filter or lens surfaces.
good luck!