bwilliams

I like the lens pens. For oil or other things ROR and micro fiber cloth.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Best cleaner is to keep your fingers off the lens!

Tom47 Loc: Gettysburg, PA

Nikon lens cleaning wipes they are individually packed. I also use a lens pen and soft make up brush.

WereWolf1967 Loc: Knoxville, TN

The best that I've ever found were the lens chamois distributed by Cokin back in the 80's and 90's. One of those and some good old breath fog. Rub very gently in a circular motion from the outside of the lens element to the center. When it gets dirty, just wash it in mild soap and warm water, rinse thoroughly and let air dry. They're ready to go over and over again.

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

I asked an optician what he was using in cleaning his lenses. He said he used Sparkle. It comes in a spray bottle and is available in grocery stores or hardware stores. Sparkle has NO Ammonia. I have used it for years on microscope lenses and glasses (plastic) without any problems.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Find a many washed flannel baby pajammas and cut in pieces. It it is soft enough for a baby's ass its soft enough for a lens. I sometimes use a squirt bottle of eyeglasses cleaner that are safe for the coatings.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

I always keep a clear UV filter on - its easier and safer to clean than the lens.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

You can get a jumbo pack of those at Sam's Club also. Another good cloth is a micro-fiber cloth sold at some WalMarts. Not all of them carry the cloth I like due to some of the optical centers being independently owned. Look for a grey cloth that is about 9" square. It's super soft and I keep one in each of my photo bags as well as a couple in the car. One important thing to remember is to not clean a lens dry. I usually fog the lens by blowing on it a couple of times or in really dry summer weather when I can't make a mist on the lens I'll use a drop of Zeiss lens cleaner that can be purchased where they sell the cloths mentioned above. Also a large cosmetic brush is very soft and will whisk away solid particles before cleaning the lens with a cloth.

JLM

Over time cotton can scratch lenses. On eyeglasses with plastic lenses this becomes apparent after about a year. It will take longer on glass lenses and will probably affect coatings before it does the glass.

I tried a number of the microfiber cleaning cloths and found them to be terrible. Not absorbent, smeared liquid, etc. And they usually cost between $5 and $8.

For years now I have been using microfiber towels (16" x 16") from Costco or Sam's - usually in the automotive section. They come in packages of 36 or so for about $16; less than 50 cents each. They work great for both camera lenses and glasses. I do not use lens cleaners; just the towels.

For eyeglasses what usually works well is to just hold the lens under hot water for a few seconds and blot dry. Camera lenses can be wiped dry. If moisture is needed I just breathe on the lens and wipe it.

For what it's worth I like to keep my lenses clean and I do not want to damage them, particularly the 500 f4.

The towels are washable, but for 50 cents you can retire them to car washing duty. I carry them in Zip-Lock bags and keep one in each camera bag, photo vest etc. So I always have one handy.

If I encounter something the towel can't handle (which is rare) I use a Lens Pen. I also use a Lens Pen to clean the sensor if necessary (separate Pens for lens and sensor).

Before wiping the lens or the sensor with anything I blow them off with a Giottis Rocket blower.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

These are good also and I keep one or two in my car along with the micro fiber cloths I mentioned earlier. In addition, I keep a regular bath towel to rapidly dry cameras and lenses should I get caught out in a quick shower.

Dewman Loc: SW Idaho

Personally, I use a home-made cleaning solution that consists of 40% Isopropyl alcohol, 30% white vinegar and 30% distilled water and ONE drop of Dawn dishwashing liquid. I use Charmin toilet paper and then a camels hair brush to rid the lens of any paper particles before I place a UV or skylight filter over the lens. I hesitate to even mention the lens-cleaning solution because inevitably there will be someone who has to berate and belittle the concept, but it has worked for me for over 40 years, so.... just sayin'....

WereWolf1967 Loc: Knoxville, TN

I don't think you can find anything softer than Charmin.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I use Sandpaper and a grit blaster for the really big goobers.

You will get many conflicting opinions when crowdsourcing this question.

There are many videos and much is written on this subject.

Be sure to at least, read the lens manuf. recommendations.

Try some things and figure out what you like best.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Well that works great for ....

but for lenses????