Cleaning lens rear element

[lloyd_chan]

I noticed a smidgin of oil-like gunk on the rear element on my 50 ASPH while changing lenses. It is like a smear and is only visible when shining a bright light directly on the lens element.

What is the best way to go about cleaning it? A microfiber cloth removed about 80% of it but there is still a bit around the edges.

I heard of some people using something called "Clearsight" ?

[ho_co]

Lloyd--
I don't know "Clearsight," but it sounds like an eyeglass cleaner. If so, it can damage precision optics like this lens. Eyeglass cleaners often contain products that can etch coatings or even glass.

I would go to a camera dealer and ask for lens cleaning solution and lens tissue. (But that's because that's how I grew up cleaning lenses.)

Perhaps "Pec-Pads" is a good solution. I've never seen them, but a lot of people on the forum recommend them.

If you use a liquid, put it on the applicator, not on the lens. If you put it onto the lens, it will most likely run into the lens mount, and who knows what mischief it could cause there?

Since you've been able to remove most of the gunk without a solvent, probably any competent camera store personnel would be able to clean it fairly easily.

Good luck! I hope this helps.

[topoxforddoc]

Clearsight is used by some on this forum for lens cleaning. It's made or distributed by Joe Codispoti and has been recommended by some forum users. I use it on my M and R glass, but as Howard says, by putting a drop or two on a pecpad and then cleaning with the moistened pecpad.

Charlie

[ho_co]

Thanks for the correction, Charlie! I guess I'm just too set in my ways.

"If it was good enough for Grandpa, it's good enough for me."

[SJP]

"Use a chamois leather" that's what my local pro equipment dealer told me when I enquired about a proffesional lens cleaning cloth "that is what we always use to clean our lenses". Or phrased differently: "don't waste our time here go to the local supermarket"

Try it - it works!!

Note1: You need to use a real leather cloth, not the fake viscose variety.
Note2: Breathing on the lens surface to be cleaned (not spitting) gives basically distilled water, which is one of the best cleaning agents.

[lloyd_chan]

Howard, Charlie and Stephen, many thanks for your advice and suggestions.

[zeitz]

Eye glass cleaning products often have soap in them to reduce the fogging in temperature changes. Kodak lens solution and Kodak lens tissues remain a superior product for photographic lenses with special coatings.

Since you're dealing with a very expensive lens, why not use the best products you can buy at your camera store made to clean photographic lenses? Consider even taking it to a camera repair shop and let the repairman take the risk.

[Double Negative]

Always precede a cleaning with a blower, then a brush. Then...

Wrap a Q-Tip (cotton swab) with a fresh piece of lens tissue and apply a drop of lens solution (I'd recommend Formula MC) to it. Clean your rear element and then use a fresh combo of Q-Tip/tissue to dry/buff it.

Might follow up with another shot of the blower. Cap that lens (or mount it).

[rubenkok]

Hi Lloyd,
Have a look here:
Lens Cleaning Kit
Hope this is some help?
All the best
Ruben

[SJP]

I tried some cleaning stuff from HAMA once (on a Nikkor). Do not use that stuff. I left a lot of residue that was not easy to remove.

What does work is pure iso-propyl alcohol - I use that for the sensor cleaning as well with 0 problems. This is what Leica recommends.

I have also used chloroform on microscope objectives & oculars, works like a charm but not for the faint hearted as it can dissolve paint. Chloroform has the advantage that it does not leave any stripes, unlike IPA which requires some practice to get a clean swipe. Would I dare use chloroform on the M8 & Leica glass? Probably not unless in dire need.

I just remembered that the microscope service engineer from Leica/Leitz used chloroform, chamois and standard q-tips for his yearly CLA service. That was about 10years ago admittedly.

[earleygallery]

Originally Posted by zeitz

Consider even taking it to a camera repair shop and let the repairman take the risk.

Just to clean the surface of a lens I do know someone who booked their new car into the garage just to have their radio tuned to Radio 4........

[allwinn]

Nice last comment. Very happy with my Leica Digilux 2, but I have a mark / dot needs to go. Will try the mentioned options and see if this works.

Thx Alwin