What's the big deal about cleaning lenses with t-shirts? I used my t-shirt to wipe the rain from my lenses all day today after leaving my microfiber cloth at home. I've never had...

canadiaman Loc: Tallahassee, FL

I used my t-shirt to wipe the rain from my lenses all day today after leaving my microfiber cloth at home. I've never had problems. Has anyone actually damaged a lens by cleaning it with the "wrong" cloth? Just wondering.

GW Loc: Idaho

canadiaman wrote:

I used my t-shirt to wipe the rain from my lenses all day today after leaving my microfiber cloth at home. I've never had problems. Has anyone actually damaged a lens by cleaning it with the "wrong" cloth? Just wondering.

By the time you see the damage it's too late, I've never done it to one of mine but I've seen it a lot....and why pay so much for a lens and then ruin it ...

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

Chances are the "wrong cloth" will not scratch your lens. It's more likely a cloth with the "wrong stuff" on it will. If the cloth has any small (or large) particles of sand, or other abrasive substance on it, damage can be done. One large scratch across your lens actually may not degrade your image enough to notice right away. But many small scratches to the glass or glass-coating will certainly degrade your image.
In an emergency, you must do what is necessary, but I wouldn't make a practice of it.
Your brought up a great topic...thanks! :thumbup:

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

A clean t-shirt free of dirt (and especially sand) should be fine as long as you wipe the lens gently with it. For generations, cleaning cloths that were included with new cameras weren't all that different. If they were really so harmful, we'd have nothing but scratched up lenses from yesteryear!

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

rook2c4 wrote:

A clean t-shirt free of dirt (and especially sand) should be fine as long as you wipe the lens gently with it. For generations, cleaning cloths that were included with new cameras weren't all that different. If they were really so harmful, we'd have nothing but scratched up lenses from yesteryear!

Good point.

canadiaman Loc: Tallahassee, FL

I suspected "microfiber" was probably a much recent innovation than the glass lens.

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

Was told by the eye doctor to clean glasses with a clean cotton cloth or special lens cleaning cloth, not to use paper towels or kleenex as they are made from wood plups which can scratch the lens.

g0sub Loc: Torbay, Devon,UK

canadiaman wrote:

I used my t-shirt to wipe the rain from my lenses all day today after leaving my microfiber cloth at home. I've never had problems. Has anyone actually damaged a lens by cleaning it with the "wrong" cloth? Just wondering.

Why not put a UV / Skylight / whatever filter on the lens?
Worry instantly stops
8-)

Nic42 Loc: Cardiff, Wales

dooragdragon wrote:

Was told by the eye doctor to clean glasses with a clean cotton cloth or special lens cleaning cloth, not to use paper towels or kleenex as they are made from wood plups which can scratch the lens.

Lenses have coatings on them and for the same reason above, you shouldn't use any old cloth to clean them. You may not scratch the lens but you can wear off the coating!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Danilo wrote:

Chances are the "wrong cloth" will not scratch your lens. It's more likely a cloth with the "wrong stuff" on it will. If the cloth has any small (or large) particles of sand, or other abrasive substance on it, damage can be done.

Right! Wiping your lens with a T-shirt on the beach when it's windy would not be smart. Just one more reason to wear clean clothes. :D

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

g0sub wrote:

Why not put a UV / Skylight / whatever filter on the lens?
Worry instantly stops
8-)

Not really. Now you worry about damaging the coating on the filter.

Of course, it's not the cloth that does the damage. It's the dirt on the cloth.

Microfiber is just as likely to pick up grit (and more likely to keep it) as any other cloth if you don't keep it clean.

g0sub Loc: Torbay, Devon,UK

[quote=selmslie]Not really. Now you worry about damaging the coating on the filter.
quote]

Top Hoya pro 1 filer - cost £50 (probably $50 in USA)
Canon 24 - 70 f2.8 lens - cost £1500 (probably $1500 in USA)

I think the worry stops with the filter :wink: :wink:

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

g0sub wrote:

...Top Hoya pro 1 filer - cost £50 (probably $50 in USA)
Canon 24 - 70 f2.8 lens - cost £1500 (probably $1500 in USA)...

I know this is going to sound nit-picky, but scratches on a filter degrade your image slightly more (cause more flare and loss of contrast) than scratches on the lens if your aperture is small simply because they are a little further from the lens assembly and a little closer to the front of you lens hood.

That lens is about $2,300 over here. A decent filter costs a bit more than $50 but I would still rather not have to replace it.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Here are two interesting articles about lens dirt and scratches.

http://kurtmunger.com/dirty_lens_articleid35.html

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2008/10/front-element-scratches

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

canadiaman wrote:

I used my t-shirt to wipe the rain from my lenses all day today after leaving my microfiber cloth at home. I've never had problems. Has anyone actually damaged a lens by cleaning it with the "wrong" cloth? Just wondering.

I think most of us have done this at some point or another whether intentionally or for lack of a better alternative at times. I always have a clear filter on all my lenses all the time and if for any reason I don't have my cleaning cloth accessible at times then I have used my clothing to clear off the filter making sure that what I use to wife is clean.