Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Is it OK to use your breath to clean your lens?

This question arises from time to time here on UHH and opinions vary. Some think it is OK and have been doing so for decades with no problems. Some have heard from experts that there is acid in your breath that will damage the coatings on many modern lenses.

Many years ago Nikon once published in a manual that they do not recommend breathing on their lenses as it may damage them. Nikon seems to be the only manufacturer that has put that in writing.

So what's the correct answer?
A) Yes, if you really really have to and do it correctly.
B) No, not as a matter of routine or as a substitute for more proper methods.

Here is why:
The real concerns with breath condensation on optic glass are:

1) Not properly removing it immediately afterwards and polishing the lens. Condensation can evaporate quickly.

2) If you have to breath on it, then you probably don't have the right gear to clean it with you (your shirt tails are not suitable)

3) Using an improper technique can allow small drops of spittle to be exhaled onto the glass. To avoid the enzymes from forming organic acids they need to be cleaned. Once you get folks think they can all but spit on the lens to clean them (like they do with glasses sometimes) problems may occur.

For all of these reasons and many more, keeping a Skylight or clear filter on your lens at all times is the best solution. I rarely clean my lenses as they are protected by filters (which I clean often).

Bottom-line: Only use condensed breath on your optic glass if you really really have to. That should be never if you are prepared and carry single use wipes and keep a filter installed.

I hope this helps clarify things.

PS: What is not often mentioned on these forums are fingerprints. If left on the coated glass the oil from your shin is slightly acidic and as it oxidizes become more acidic. Over time fingerprints can etch the coatings and leave almost invisible marks that will never show up directly on the image because they are too close to the image plane. But they can create minor flares which will be visible from time to time. Fingerprints should always be removed from your lenses (and filters if you wish to make them last).

tramsey Loc: Texas

Talking about using filters, I have often seen on this forum; why put a less expensive piece of glass over your high end lens?
So I know you use high end glass, since you always have a filter on to protect it, what is the filter that you use? I would like to know brand, type etc so I can use it on mine. I don't mean this as a shot or anything like that. I would like to know so I can use it and stop spittin' on my lens. Sometimes I miss and hit the wife.

olcoach Loc: Oregon

You can't go wrong with B+W. They are expensive but they are not going to degrade your shots. Have fun and keep shootin'. Mike

Dartmoor Walker Loc: Dartmoor, Devon. England.

I always carry a lens cloth and a lens pen which has a brush for dust and a head/pad for polishing.
I often use my breath for clearing smears/fingerprints etc., and you only need to exhale gently, thus avoiding spittle.
If you actually exhale in the form of blowing, ie where you slightly pucker your lips, you will almost alway have spittle problems and causes more problems with smears, as it tends to have a greasy effect on the glass.
My method is to brush of the lens to get rid of any abrasive dust and then gently breath on the glass to obtain a mist that I then clean/polish away with my lens cloth.

I alway clean my lenses after use and before storing, so as to make sure there are no acidic or greasy deposits left to damage the coating on the lens.

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

The thought of cleaning any of my lenses that way has never crossed my mind. I always carry a lens cleaning cloth and solution in my bag.

Toby

Probably not a good idea but everyone has done it. I knew a guy who always did that and always complained of blurred photos. Of course he also cleaned his glasses the same way so he was never sure if it was his camera lens or his glasses causing the problem. He finally started to have a drink or two before a shoot to kill the enzimes etc in his breath. I don't know if that worked but he usually didn't care.

Lorendn Loc: Jackson, WY

Ah ha - breathing on a lens then putting it back on a digital camera which is then connected to a computer that links to the internet - the source of all viruses at last!

rps Loc: Muskoka Ontario Canada

Depends on what brand of scotch you drink!

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Do not, under any circumstance but one do you use your breath to clean a lens or LCD. Here are the reasons why:

If you recently used a mouth wash or those mouthwash tabs, the may contain alcohol which can put a permanent film on the lens coating; especially if the lens is plastic.

If you recently brushed your teeth even after rinsing, you may still have very small particles in you mouth which may scratch your lens.

If you smoke, you will leave a yellow film on the lens and this will throw off your white balance. Your camera will always think you are shooting with the incandescent setting on.

If it is cold out, then Jack Frost may appear.

If you have been recently drinking alcoholic beverages recently, you may mess up other settings and you would not care until you sober up and then you would exclaim, WTF?

The list goes on and on. The only exception to this is if you have a naked 22 year old naked female model laying around and have her do it. Then you won't care. Just grab the camera real quick after she does it before she leaves. Then test the camera.

mrblackett Loc: Bloomfield, CT

I always clean after every job with Nikon lens cloth and cleaning solution. I use Nikon Clear filters, NC, on all my lenses. except for the 50mm since it's so small. The filters were ordered together with the lens and were put on as soon as the boxes were opened, so the front lens element has never been exposed nor cleaned. The NC filters seem to be made of the same quality as the lens elements.

anotherview Loc: California

The Lenspen literature says to breathe on the lens or filter surface to produce a film of moisture, and then to apply the cleaning tip in a circular motion. I use this cleaning technique, and have not noticed any problems.

When doing this technique, take care not to breathe out so as to include spittle in your breath. Spittle adheres to the surface. If spittle lands on the surface, then use lens cleaning fluid and a cleaning cloth to remove it.

Fractured Canyon Wall, Capitol Reef NP

anotherview Loc: California

The Lenspen literature says to breathe on the lens or filter surface to produce a film of moisture, and then to apply the cleaning tip in a circular motion. I use this cleaning technique, and have not noticed any problems.

When doing this technique, take care not to breathe out so as to include spittle in your breath. Spittle adheres to the surface. If spittle lands on the surface, then use lens cleaning fluid and a cleaning cloth to remove it.

Fractured Canyon Wall, Capitol Reef NP

Dartmoor Walker Loc: Dartmoor, Devon. England.

Balvenie Signature - single malt, Monkey Shoulder - blended Malt and Black Grouse - blended, in that order of preference, but if offered for free, anyone will be very nice indeed. Perhaps not to good for lenses though!!!

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

I just bought a rather large box of Zeiss, Lens Cleaning Wipes, at Sam's. They cost only $8.57, and it looks like a lifetime supply. I'm going to Costa Rica in a few weeks and want to be prepared. I also have a Lens Pen for cleaning also. I keep a B+W UV filter on ALL of my lenses for protection. But take it off when taking macro, and portraits. I also have a variety of sizes of Cir Polarizers for all my lenses. I may take along a veritable ND filter for my lenses.

ijustshotu Loc: Northern California

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