lens cleaning and the "Lens Pen" ?

[mdozier]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Forgive me if this is old news or the wrong place but I did a search and couldn't find much consensus other than the damage done by cleaning a lens.

 

I keep a filter on my lenses all the time and operate under the assumption that cleaning the actual lens surface (front or rear) should be a last resort because of all the discussion about scratches from over zealous cleaning.

 

I don't want to be paranoid, so could I get some opinions about cleaning frequency and methods?

 

I have read elsewhere that microfiber cloths are preferred either with or without a lens cleaner. Aren't most lens cleaners solvent based? Is that a problem? And can't microfiber cloths get oily and dirty from one's hands just like the concern with brushes?

 

What about those little disposable lens tissues? They seem somewhat "scratchy" to the touch. Are they really safe?

 

I was given a Lens Pen recently and have no idea how it's intended to be used.

 

Any advice/education is greatly appreciated.

 

m

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[wetterzentrale]

Hi mdozier

 

I had the same questions recently and after going through some threads in this forum I also raised it with Leica directly. They responded that for severe stains one should use Isopropanol with Kodak or Hama lens paper.

 

This goes for the sensor as well as for the lens.

 

For simple dust on the sensor they mention visibledust.com or any comparable product

 

Sometimes things can be easy ...

 

All the best and Merry Christmas

[Guest mc_k]

For lenses: Use a blower regularly. Leica and Zeiss both have good microfiber cloths for smudges, but use the blower first so you don't scrape anything across the glass. Occasionally you need to use a damp corner of the cloth, followed by the dry cloth. For grease I use a Q-tip gingerly and then a pre-moistened Zeiss wipe. Maybe the Leica suggestion is better here; I think the issue is chemicals on the lens coating. And yes, the micofiber cloths need to be washed every once in a while.

[cidereye]

Re: Isopropanol

 

I personally find that it's far better/safer to use "Sterets" for this purpose which are those pre-injection swabs and are impregnated with isopropanol, very soft fibre wipe and very gentle. Can be easily obtained from any chemist and are individually packed and cheap too.

 

Sterets Pre Injection Swabs x 100 - MD01259 by: Molnlycke

[JMK]

I was given a Lens Pen, and was disappointed with its performance on one of my point-and-shoot cameras. I would NEVER think of using it on M-glass.

[wda]

Re: Isopropanol

 

I personally find that it's far better/safer to use "Sterets" for this purpose which are those pre-injection swabs and are impregnated with isopropanol, very soft fibre wipe and very gentle. Can be easily obtained from any chemist and are individually packed and cheap too.

 

Sterets Pre Injection Swabs x 100 - MD01259 by: Molnlycke

 

An inspired suggestion, cideryeye. I can see Sterets sales rocketing! One can easily see why production costs are spread over millions of units instead of a few of alternative solutions for photographers.

[earleygallery]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

If you keep a filter on your lens all the time then you shouldn't need to clean it?

 

I use a blower brush for general dust removal and on the rare occassion that I get any marks on a lens or filter such as a splash of fluid, finger mark etc then I use the 'prophot' lens wipes.

[Guest AgXlove]

When cleaning Leica glass, I always exercise extreme care.

 

If my lens element needs to be cleaned, first I remove dust using a clean horsehair lens brush. I then clean the front (or rear) element using a clean microfiber cloth to wipe warm breath condensation from the glass surface.

 

This covers about 99% of cleaning requirements. If there is something that still won't come off, I'll use Kodak lens cleaning liquid (this is rarely needed, though).

 

I used to never leave a UV filter on my lenses, as incidents of unintentional contact to the front element or soiling of the front element were very rare (in my experience, at least). Given the fact that Leica lenses cost thousands of dollars each, I have reconsidered on this and now leave a UV or skylight 1A filter on each of my Leica lenses.

 

The only lens damage I have suffered so far was to my Nikon 300mm f/4. I was carrying my tripod with the lens and F100 camera body mounted when I tripped and fell, sending the whole works flying assholes and elbows. The front element was fine, even without a UV filter in place.

 

However, the polycarbonate lens body snapped in half, leaving me with two 150mm f/4 lenses.

[leica dream]

I remember from a thread several months ago that the external surface of ALL Leica lenses are UV coated at manufacture. So this begs the question of to what extent would light which has travelled already through a UV filter be affected by travelling through another UV protection - or perhaps as there should not be any UV rays left by the time the light reaches the Leica lens will not matter?

Richard