Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

Absolutly, works for me as well.

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

Why not?

Cheers,

R.

Ragarm

I've read that human breath contains traces of acids. I don't know, but I'm guessing that depends on one's oral hygiene to some extent. Still, why take the chance? When Nikon says on several pages that it's OK occasionally, but don't make it a practice, then I'm inclined to follow their advice.

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

That is what I use get them at Walmart for $2.88 for a 50 ct. box I also keep a lens pen in my bag.

Clarence Loc: Modesto, California

Do not use anything that is not made for lens cleaning! Do not use your handkerchief or paper towels! Do not use paper not made for lens cleaning because it will scratch your lens, eye glasses too! Use a camel hair brush to remove dust and then use camera lens cleaning solutions and cloths or papers.

Ragarm

Somebody mentioned that rubbing alcohol contains additives. I just read the label of two different brands of rubbing alcohol and find they contain only isopropyl alcohol (70%) and distilled or purified water (30%).

Isopropyl alcohol, according to Wikipedia, is C3H8O on the molecular level that is liquid at room temperature. It has no additives. It's molecular structure is different from grain or ethyl alcohol. The government (FDA) became convinced that it is better to bottle and sell this stuff, which causes severe gastric distress in humans if ingested orally, in order to punish anyone foolish enough to try to make gin out of it.

I think this will work for me as a lens cleaning solvent! Cheap too!

Mpeter45 Loc: Springfield, Illinois

Filters on all the lenses, then use whatever. Chamois works well.
Lined a necktie with it and used that for years.

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

The answer, I think, is that ANY lens should only be cleaned occasionally. First, there are not many acids it could contain, and second, they're not going to be in contact with the glass for long enough to do any harm. I'd like to know the origin of Nikon's research on this one, because I've also seen it asserted that condensed breath is remarkably pure water. I can't easily defend that viewpoint, but I'm not sure that the 'acids' viewpoint is defensible either. Yes, there'll be CO2 to make carbonic acid, but I'm not going to worry about that one. I think the big danger is spit, as in blowing dust off a lens, not any composition of the 'huff' when you breathe on it gently.

The thing is, many photographers really want to believe that if anything is easy and cheap, it can't be as good as something that is more difficult and more expensive.

For the actual wiping, clean chamois leather is very good.

Cheers,

R.

Ragarm

It's not just photographers that think that way, I think everyone. I know from personal experience that firearms enthusiasts and bicyclists do. There is always the latest and greatest lube or solvent coming out, of course never at lower prices. Sure, most of it works, but does it work better than the stuff that was the cat's meow only a couple years ago? Does it work better than say the testimonials for those bygone miracle products?

Given enough of that, one develops doubts and convictions. I like alcohol and getting huffy. Good for my lenses too.