how to keep m lenses clean

[tobey bilek]

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Lens cases or homemade bags, front and rear cap, shade, blower, CLEAN BRUSH, microfiber cloth and Zeiss Lens cleaner if necessary.

 

The big thing is simply to keep your greasy fingers and the dogs nose off the glass. Then you need not resort to the more serious cleaning methods.

 

When cleaning anything, start with the least powerful and quit if you can. In this case it would be the blower. They need not be perfect. Just good enough.

[peter_n]

I use UV filters on the front too (B+W MRC F-Pro). Mostly I leave my lenses alone but when needed I use Zeiss liquid lens cleaner and 3M Lens & Electronics microfiber cleaning cloths. I wash all my cloths in Smartwax cleaner #80401.

[masjah]

I use UV filters on the front too (B+W MRC F-Pro). Mostly I leave my lenses alone but when needed I use Zeiss liquid lens cleaner and 3M Lens & Electronics microfiber cleaning cloths. I wash all my cloths in Smartwax cleaner #80401.

 

 

I too use UV filters (except on my 28/2.8 PC Super Angulon R where I believe the sometimes extremely angled rays won't fare well even through a parallel sided glass element) so I've only ever needed to clean the filters; microfibre cloth has always done the business for me.

 

I did once get a polariser very gungy with something (I never understood what or how) and the Zeiss cleaning kit came to the rescue; heartily recommended.

[lars_bergquist]

I remember going to the Leica seminar 2 years ago and the Leica rep. used a green Scotch Brite pad on a new 21 Summilux lens and then passed it around. No scratches, of course. He stated that you don't have to use special "micro-fiber" cloths on the lenses. He said Leica uses hardened coatings on the new lenses and they are tough.

 

I don't use abrasive cloths on my lenses, but I don't have special ritualistic cleaning procedures either. I don't rattle my lenses either.

 

The reason why I use microfiber cloth on my lenses, and not a (not too snotty) handkerchief is that the microfiber cloth wipes off greasy stains better than a cotton cloth does. That goes for tees too. I reserve these for the rear screen.

 

And I would not use Scotch Brite on a lens even if a dog had s...t on it. I like a safe margin. As for ritualistic behaviour, I admit to washing my face occasionally and brushing my teeth twice every day.

 

The reasonably tidy old man

[wda]

Rocket blower mostly. If I've accidentally shoved my finger or thumb onto the surface, a mocrofibre cloth (maybe with a light breath) will get rid of it totally. I don't like using liquids because, no matter how "smear-free" they are supposed to be, they always leave smears and marks.

I agree with Jason. The best precaution is to keep the lens covered when not in use thus minimizing the risk of contamination. Leica cautions against using opticians' micro fibre cloths because of their impregnation with untested cleaning liquids.

 

A filter helps protect the lens, but it also needs cleaning to avoid degraded performance.

[jaapv]

I agree with Jason. The best precaution is to keep the lens covered when not in use thus minimizing the risk of contamination. Leica cautions against using opticians' micro fibre cloths because of their impregnation with untested cleaning liquids.

 

A filter helps protect the lens, but it also needs cleaning to avoid degraded performance.

And, if inadvertently used in excess, may come between the mount and the lens element and damage the cement.

[TomB_tx]

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I use UVa for protection, but remove them for critical work. Otherwise I still use my old stock of Kodak lens tissue and lens cleaner. (Obviously don't use much!) When I do find an errant fingerprint (grandkids are around) I use fresh Q-tips carefully, then discard (the Q-tip, not the lens). If cleaning fluid is used, moisten the lens tissue or swab with it, don't apply directly to the lens.

I believe the modern lens coatings are much harder than the earlier ones, but most of my lenses are legacy from 40 years ago.

As I've built a collection of old cameras and lenses, I'm amazed at how scratched many of the lenses are, and that is always from careless cleaning.

[bpalme]

Seriously? I use my shirt tail. Sometimes if the lens is really dirty I use my breath on the lens and then my shirt. These Leica coatings are tough. You could even use a s Scrotch Brite pad and not even scratch them. Use them, don't baby them in the glass cabinet.

Who said I don't use my lenses?

Someone asked how they clean them.. just because they do that demo where the scotch brite does scratch it doesn't mean it won't wear the coating over time. I take care of my stuff better than you obviously.. I don't see anything wrong with that either. I just got back from a trip in the rainforest where my lenses got rained on.. so I'm not paranoid I just take the side of precaution when I can control it.

Over cleaning lenses WILL wear down the coatings. I'm not saying it will happen overnight but over years it will take a toll.

[pico]

In the field I gently brush the lens with a micro cloth, or a clean part of my t-shirt. That's 'brush' not wipe.

 

At home I use compressed air and Purosol with micro cloth. It is good for removing fingerprints or oil. Frankly, I do not know if Purosol is really snake oil. Perhaps someone here knows.

 

I think it was David Vestal who once recommended (long ago) that swishing one's mouth with vodka then breathing on the lens before using lens paper was a good method. All I can say about that is "It couldn't hoit!"

[Rick]

Lars, I never said I'd use a Scotch Brite pad on a lens and I don't know what you are doing with your lenses that they might get "dog s..t" on them, but my dog has more sense than to crap on my gear. Glad to hear you brush your teeth, don't forget to floss so you can keep jaapv happy. By the way, my dentist recommends only flossing the teeth I want to keep.

 

The Scotch Brite demonstration was amazing. The guy was talking about the coatings on the front of the lenses and as he lectured he rubbed the pad on the lens for about 30-40 sec. while he talked! Then he passed it around and it was amazing to see that you couldn't find a mark... and this was the lens he had been using for the demonstration on the tour.

 

So, my point isn't to use abrasive things on the lenses, I just wanted those reading all of these other methods to NOT run out and buy all sorts of cleaning fluids and brushes and blowers and special cloths. I certainly wouldn't consider taking all this junk in my bag when I go on vacation. Oh, wait a second, I don't have a bag. Anyway, just have a clean piece of cloth. And I agree with those that say don't clean them unless you have to.

 

Don't worry, be happy.

 

Edit: When I get my M10 I'll make a video on how I use my shirt to clean a lens.

[Fgcm]

Ok, this is humor, right? If not, I'm way off base here. Are you guys kidding or are you being serious about how you clean your lenses?

 

I agree. I am not so neurotic about clearing lenses and sensor.

Some dirt is not visible in real shoting.

[jaapv]

 

At home I use compressed air

 

Compressed air will displace the dust and deposit it inside the lens, where you cannot get at it....

[niarfe]

Ok, this is humor, right? If not, I'm way off base here. Are you guys kidding or are you being serious about how you clean your lenses?

 

I think they are talking serious....

You know men, people are people... and you can find all kind.

[pico]

Compressed air will displace the dust and deposit it inside the lens, where you cannot get at it....

 

NO! Say it isn't so! I do not use my industrial compressor (usually 115psi), but just a little bottle of the stuff off the shelf. I'll take your advice, regardless.

[jaapv]

No - those little cans are OK, as s long as they do not spit gunk, but a real compressor is a nono!.

[giordano]

The Scotch Brite demonstration was amazing.

 

There are several kinds of Scotch-Brite pad. Did he use the Stainless Steel, the Heavy Duty, or the wimpy ones made for soft non-stick surfaces?

[Double Negative]

I use my dishwasher.

[jaapv]

Overkill - just lick them

[Rick]

There are several kinds of Scotch-Brite pad. Did he use the Stainless Steel, the Heavy Duty, or the wimpy ones made for soft non-stick surfaces?

 

I've decided to put my money where my mouth is and I'm making a video showing my 35mm Summilux FLE being cleaned with a green Scotch Brite pad. I'll put it up in the LUF "Video" sub-forum as soon as I get my new M10.

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[kdemas]

I guess I'm one of those that "splurges" on a $5 microfiber cloth to clean my lenses, which cost thousands. Personally I use a Rocketblower and then a cloth if needed. Rarely do either one frankly.