jojo Smith Loc: Northern Michigan

Dont They Leave A Flim On The Lens

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

This topic has come up often and after reading everyone's opinion and techniques as well as some on other sites. I've tried all techniques including kodak lens cleaner and paper, eyeglass microfiber cloths, etc. After much disappointment over the years and never having a "clean enough" lens, I bought the original lens pen and a package of Zeiss wipes (from the eyeglass dept at Walmart - about $3 for 50). The following technique works best for me.

If there's obvious dirt I first blow off as much as possible with a small squeeze blower (don't use canned air as the propellent can damage the coating on the glass). Then I use the brush part of the lens pen to remove any remaining dust. Next I use the Zeiss lens wipe and lastly I use the cleaning tip of the lens pen to remove any residue (film) from the wipe. The glass is then perfect! Also Lens Pen indicates not to use the cleaning part of it on certain filters.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

medium grade sandpaper works fine. use it enough and you have a really nice soft lens!

patrick M

There is a product called ROR can be purchased from Amazon very reasonably priced for what it does
use a Blower to Remove Loose Particles
Brush away Particles if any left on Glass
Reblow for Precaution AGAINST SCRATCHES
Apply ROR CLEANER WITH A SOFT LENS TISSUE OR ULTRA SOFT MICROFIBER CLOTH ROR (REMOVES BODY OIL FROM YOUR FINGERS THAT MAY HAVE TOUCHED THE GLASS AS WELL AS OTHER SUBSTANCE) DO NO GO BACK AND FOURTH (CIRCULAR MOTIONS)FROM IN TO OUT LIGHT PRESSURE and Remember Lens Glass is Beveled ( YOU ARE NOT CLEANING A WINDOW OR WATER GLASS
AFTER YOU FINISHED APPLYING the ROR use a CLEEEAAANNNN ULTRA SOFT MICROFIBER CLOTH OR LENS TISSUEsss
WHEN I SAY TISSUE (IT REALLY MEANS TISSUES)KEEP IT CLEAN tissues are cheap
I also wrap a tissue around the tip of the lens pen on final step to make sure I have reached all edges the Lens Pen has a Carbon based Pad tissue does not and the lens pen can reach where my fingers cant
IF ANY LINT OR FIBERS LEFT BLOW AGAIN
PROTECT GLASS LENS REMEMBER EXTREEM CLEANING OF A LENS CAN CAUSE DAMAGE

dreamsinart

Great minds in action! I was just thinking of using vaseline or a more gentle substance than sand paper to change the surface of my lens for an artistic effect.

dreamsinart

Thank you very much!!!! I have never been able to get the glass really clean and now I know why. It is a project, don't just grab the end of your tee shirt as I saw a man in a camera store do. It was a used lens, but I almost fainted

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

I smoke around all my equipment. Gives the lenses a soft brown haze. Also keeps my laptop display "calibrated" to the lenses!

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

A. I spend a lot of energy attempting to keep stuff off my expensive lenses. If they ain't dirty don't be a clean'n 'em.
B. When your puppy puts his nose on your $2500 front element. Please don't drop kick him...he just wanted to know what that thing smelled like. My dobby says some of the cheap lenses smell like wet cocker spaniel butts...but I can't verify this.
C. Always blow your lens off before any further cleaning. Micro grit can scratch the hell out of delicate coatings, etc.
D. Buy a giotto rocket blower...they do a fine job. But more than that, it's part of the image thing...I keep mine on my desk and most people just assume it's something Verrrry Kinky...
E. I always keep a fistfull of the Zeiss Lens Cleaning Wipes in each of my bags and kits. They also do a fine job on your basic dirty glasses.
F. I also like some of the high quality lens cleaner solutions in pump spray bottles. After you've blown off your glass then spray a small amount on your micro cloth not on your lens.
D. ABOVE ALL ELSE...!!!!....Never Ever...apply elbow grease to your lens. DO NOT apply real pressure...EASY Big Boy! BE GENTLE!!!

Festus Loc: North Dakota

Have not had luck with the Zeiss Lens Cleaning Wipes - very smeary. There is only one thing to use:

ROR = Residual Oil Remover

A couple of drops on a Kimiwipe and you won't believe the results.

gnzlzspd Loc: Wildomar, CA

I have used a product called "ROR" Residual Oil Remover for a couple of years and I've been very happy with the results.
It is "...Completely safe for multicoated lenses, glass and plastic." Can be used on: Camera lenses, Microscopes, Telescopes, Binoculars, Scanners, Flat Screen TV's, Monitors, Eyeglasses, CD"s and DVD"s.

Go to their Web site: WWW.ror.net
V-VAX Products, INC 800-342-2044
(not cheap)

saichiez Loc: Beautiful Central Oregon

Nothing but dedicated lens cleaning tissues on my lenses. And never re-use.

Lens cleaning cloths will ultimately get something embedded in the cloth that will scratch the coatings of your lenses. The scratches may not show up unless you do a flashlight test through the lens with the aperture wide open (if possible). On automated lenses, put the camera on bulb, open the back of the camera, and trip the shutter if you cannot control the aperture on the lens alone. Look through the back and shine a flashlight through the front (no sun please).

Lens Tissues.... as in disposable, not re-usable. Also, never run a lens cloth or tissue in a circle on the surface of the lens. Work gently from the center of the lens out to the edges. A new tissue every time. Keep the holder of tissues in a separate closed pocket of the bag or in a desk drawer at home.

cecilia delacroix Loc: near Seattle

Here's what I do:

1) I ALWAYS use a blower FIRST (Giotto rocket air blaster) even if I don't see any specks on the glass, because there are often nearly-invisible particles that can scratch during cleaning. Take five valuable seconds to do this. (But DON'T use 'canned air'.)
2) I spray a small amount of an optical lens cleaner (I use Purosol) onto a microfiber cloth, and then use gentle circular motions to clean the glass, whether a lens or a filter.
I do carry a few of the Zeiss wipes for emergency use [if the glass gets horribly grungy] but I rarely have the need for them.

(Saichiez - You recommend cleaning from center to edge, not circular motion. This is how I clean my CDs and DVDs, but I'd never heard of cleaning a lens this way. Is there a reason why you don't recommend circular motion?)

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

Yes, I forgot about this product. I have a bottle and use it for any situation where it appears I might be in for a difficult time getting something off the glass. It works really well...

CD Photo Loc: St. George, Utah

The worst thing you can do is blow on a lens or get it steamed up by your breath. This has probably caused residue which should come off with a drop of lens cleaner on a lens cloth. Never use the lens cleaner drop on the lens itself. Use a small circular motion on the lens. Best advice? Never clean your lens. Put a UV fileter on it and leave it.

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

I wasn't there...I'm old but not that old...but the story has always been around that in the days of yore when the press photographers wore the hats with "press" cards in the bands and shot 4X5 press cameras...it was not uncommon for rival news organizations to sometimes adorn their finger with just a dab of vasoline or hair oil or some such then when the other guy wasn't paying attention smear a swipe of grease on the front of his lens. Since you were not focusing through the lens...you could cover several important events before your negs were developed...and trust me...they just weren't very sharp..............and by that time, how would you know who done it...
ahh...the days of dektol, tri X, 8X10 glossys, f8 and be there....
God only knows what they used to clean those lenses with...I do remember my Dad mixing cigar ashes and spit to make a polish for the flashbulb reflector on a press camera.