burkphoto wrote:
The OLD, blue, dry paper lens wipes from the 1960s contained silica. They were awful on all optics other than uncoated cheap glass eyeglasses.
The NEW Zeiss lens wipes are made for lens cleaning. The exact fluid used seems to vary, as there are several MSDS sheets in circulation, all with different formulas on them. MOST contain isopropyl, but in low concentrations. As Zeiss makes some of the finest optics in the world (used on Sony cameras and other fine brands), I doubt they sell anything likely to harm them.
As with all cleaning products, there is a right way to use them, and many wrong ways. Removing as much surface dust and dirt as possible with a blower bulb is a good pre-cleaning practice.
Another good source for photographic cleaning supplies is https://photosol.com
They make excellent sensor cleaning fluids and swabs, and pre-moistened pads used for cleaning other optics. Their PEC 12 film cleaner is a go-to in most professional labs that still process, scan, or print film. I've used their products for decades, and cleaned many sensors with Sensor Swabs and Eclipse fluid.
The OLD, blue, dry paper lens wipes from the 1960s... (
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I have very poor vision. Only one eye and about half vision corrected in the other. I was wiping very hard with the Zeiis paper cleaner to clean the lens. They were sold by WalMart and still are. I finally figured out what was the cause of the damage -horizontal streaks- I always wiped horizontally. I now use a microfiber cloth and still wipe very hard with ablolutely no damage. I am not addressing the cleaning solution - just the material used. I acknowlege that wiping gently with the paper ones would probably never damage a lens, at least any damage that you could see. It took me a long time to discover the damage. As I indicated, I see that Zeiis is now also selling cloth wipes in packages. I feel that these would be fine and not damage a lens even with hard wiping. I have not tried them yet. My advice to Zeiis would be to discontinue the paper wipes. They may be doing damage to lens that is not apparent.