flashbang

Recently I had posted a few questions about the LensPen; ended up buyi one for around $9.00 at the Big Camera Store here in Manattan. But while doing my research, I came accorss lots of similar looking ones on line. One advertised free delivery and a total cost of $1.02. Really: a dollar and two cents delivered. OK, I couldn't resist and yesterday the plastic envelope arrived from China.

Now, my wife has no particular interest in photo gear, but she does have a Black Belt in shopping! The Lady can tell quality from across the room. In the past she is usually pretty accurate in picking out the knockoffs, purely by the 'look.' This time she was right on.

However, when I tried the two in a 'side by side test" using each to clean one eyeglass lens, the results were virtually identical. While the knockoff did feel cheaper and not have as smooth a finish, it did actually have a few features that I liked better. First, the brush was just a bit stiffer, not coarse, but since it was meant to remove grit, it seemed to me that the slightly stiffer bristles wil do a better job. Second, the cleaning head was mounted on a slightly flexable shaft. I felt that this covered the contours of my glasses a bit better. Both removed the oil from where the glass came into contact with my skin.

The removable cover over the cleaning head was also screw-on on the LensPen and friction fitted on the other.

Now to see how long they both last.

JPL

The cleaning pad on the more expensive one will last much longer. If it is 9 times longer I do not know but it will be longer lasting.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

You are contributing to the demise of a US company marketing their own, unique product. I am sure the carbon material on the cleaning head is not the same quality and/or thickness of the original.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Purchased on eBay? I usually eliminate 'China' from my search criteria and look strictly in the USA for my products first, can't find it, then I expand. For a few dollars more, I will always try & support America and America business first. Not to say it won't work for you but as a previous poster related, demise of a US company, marketing or manufacturing.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Capn_Dave

If you look inside the Lens Pen cap you will see a foam pad. The pad is filled with graphite, I think, When you want to clean the Lens Pen
you twist the cap on the cleaning pad. Does the Chinese version do the same?

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I just bought a single lenspen just last week from B&H for $8.54. Along with other items. I could have bought the 3 each Pro Set Kit for about $4.00 more. I really didn't need it, so I purchased only the single one. I would rather pay more, and not worry about quality.

gmw12 Loc: Indianapolis & Windsor/UK & Montreux/Switzerl

Lenspen is a product of a Canadian company...And guess where it's manufactured...

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

China of course....alway try to do the best I can to support American companies but there are some things you just can't get around. However, buying direct from China, supports ONLY China. I would always support B&H or another American business/Marketer versus keeping a Chinese company in business.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

China. For cheap labor. But, Nikon has lenses made in China and Thailand. Some lesser priced DX lenses are made in China.

flashbang

Yeah: Buy American! Right! Only problem: there is practically nothing in terms of professional gear that I can buy. Currently the only American made items I use are some sync cords made by Paramont Cords (made in my old neighborhood, Bronx, New York), my Domke Bag and my virtually bomb-proof Porter brand rolling case. That is it. Everything else is foreign and despite labeling, is probably made in China.

Back in my 'studio days' I used American made tripods (Majestic, remember?), lights, lenses and a solid Deardorf view camera. I did not pick them exclusively because they were made here; I got them because they were top quality and affordable.

For those who still insist on 'buying American,' great! Just show me a line of professional digital cameras and lenses and strobes and accessories and computers and storage systems that are made here. At any price. OK?

And as to this whole LensPen business: I bought both because I needed the 'good' one and I really wanted to see what I was going t get for $1.02. In both cases, I am pretty sure I got what I paid for.

Anybody got a problem with that?

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Nope, no problem. No one ever said quality optical equipment was made in America. Its why we buy Sony, Nikon, Canon, Fuji, etc. Glad you got what you paid for. As with anything, you're totally free to purchase anything you want from anybody you want, its Capitalism, somewhat....its also America