Keeping it clean....

[Box Brownie]

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I'm interested to know how people keep the front element of their lenses clean.

 

M9 invariably involves a big investment in glass. One option of course is to have a skylight filter ( or of course IR filter for the M8 user, also giving the advantage of protecting the lens ! ) .

 

My Nikons generally have skylight filters on them. Yet, for some reason, I am reluctant to do this with my M9 + 50 cron. So this begs the question, what is the best cleaning regime for keeping our prized possessions clean? What do you prefer to do when you spot some dust, or a watermark or droplet on the front element of your pride and joy?

 

I have seen too many classic used Leica lenses with swirl marks from cleaning. I don't want that to happen to the Leica experience I am just embarking on.

 

I'd love to hear about experiences and cleaning regimes for Leica glass from those with experience . Any preferred techniques, from licking a handkerchief to fancy specialised products, are welcome !

 

Thank You.

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[sanyasi]

Heliopan UV filters--slim version

 

I also now am in the habit of storing a couple of ziplock bags in my camera case or pocket to store an extra lens and/or filer (e.g. polarizer) so that lenses, batteries, and other accessories don't pick up lint that could end up on the sensor.

[lars_bergquist]

Front caps. And a clean microfiber cloth, carefully packed so that it does not pick up hard particles. That and my own breath on the front lens -- I do always carry my breath with me ...

 

The old man from the Age of Kodak Lens Cleaning Fluid

[earleygallery]

There's a ton of stuff about cleaning lenses on the forum already, try the search function for a quick answer.

[andreas_thomsen]

zeiss cleaning kit.

[viramati]

leica lens cloth, Shirt tail or T-shirt!!

At home I have PEC*PAD wipes

[EricC]

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Clearsight

 

Clear Sight USA

[Bartie]

Microfiber cloth,I use it to wipe the lens and clean the camera body.

 

Andy

[neli]

microfiber cloth.

 

good idea about zip locking the cloth, i'll start doing that i think.

 

sometimes i use green clean wet and dry if i've been on a longer sailing voyage. salt water tends to get everywhere.

[Guest ccmsosse]

I have seen too many classic used Leica lenses with swirl marks from cleaning. I don't want that to happen to the Leica experience I am just embarking on.

 

For protection, every one of my lenses has a Leica UV or Skylight filter - and of course microfiber cloth ...

[Ed_K]

I used to have B+W filters but now considering the Heliopan because of its slimmer design, and i generally have a microfiber cloth and a chamois inside the camera bag.

[scc]

Lenspen

[rebelfocus]

Lenspen (on a UV filter).

 

Microfibres are fine only when they are perfectly clean but the lenspen seems to work every time and do an excellent job.

[scc]

I used to have B+W filters but now considering the Heliopan because of its slimmer design, and i generally have a microfiber cloth and a chamois inside the camera bag.

 

Just remember, If you use a lens cap that clips into the inner surface of the lens front ring or filter, you could have trouble fitting it on a 'slim' filter.

[Jager]

I don't clean my lenses very often - perhaps touching 'em up with a microfiber cloth once every year or so.

 

I concentrate, instead, in not letting them get dirty in the first place. When I'm actively shooting, with camera in hand, I always use a lens shade. And when I'm done, when the camera goes back in its bag, the lens cap goes on.

[chris_tribble]

Heliopan UV filters--slim version

 

+1 - and then it's shirt tail or whatever comes to hand and doesn't look gritty.. I've had my 35 cron IV for around 12 years (bought second hand) and it's still pristine (after living in Sri Lanka for 4 years too...)

 

Don't worry about things too much - with the Heliopan's I have none of the (occassional) reflection problems I got with the IR cut filters we had to use on the M8. Leica lenses are tools - just use them with respect and they'll last a life time.

[noah_addis]

I use the B+W brand UV filters on all of my lenses. Perhaps for ultrawides the slim filters would be better. But for normal lenses the thicker, beefier filter ring also provides at least a small amount of protection from impact damage to the front of the lens...I've had filter rings dinged but the lens itself was unharmed.

 

The UV filter goes on when I get the lens and comes off when I sell the lens, when the filter gets broken (it's happened, and I'm glad it was a filter instead of the lens elment) or when it gets scratched up enough to warrant a replacement.

 

Protective filters are cheap insurance in my opinion, with very, very little adverse affects that I haven't noticed at all in practice.

 

The UVIR filters are a different animal, they did seem to produce unwanted reflection problems for some reason.

 

I don't use lens caps, as I want my gear always ready and I don't want to lose a shot by pulling the camera out and snapping a frame with the cap on. The filters themselves get cleaned occasionally with a microfiber cloth, but mostly with a shirt sleeve or whatever is at hand.

[cheewai_m6]

Front caps. And a clean microfiber cloth, carefully packed so that it does not pick up hard particles. That and my own breath on the front lens -- I do always carry my breath with me ...

 

The old man from the Age of Kodak Lens Cleaning Fluid

 

purposely putting moisture on your lens seems rather silly.

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[SJP]

purposely putting moisture on your lens seems rather silly.

Not at all, you are effectivly using fresh distilled water as the cleaning fluid. This is one of the best cleaning fluids you can imagine, pH neutral, ~zero contaminants, stong solvent for a wide range of substances.

[Ed_K]

Plus i had heard from some eye-glasses technician saying that never clean the lens with a dry cloth, always either use lens cleaning fluid or your breath to dampen first, in order not to scratch the lens.