darylgo Posted May 21, 2012 Share #1 Posted May 21, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) The best lens cleaner I could find contains alcohol, recently I have been using isopropyl alcohol straight, first 70% but it left a removable residue, then 91% with minimal residue and now 99.53%, no residue and it may not need a dry wipe. Are there any contraindications to using this on lenses or a camera body such as an M9? Are there better cleaners available? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 21, 2012 Posted May 21, 2012 Hi darylgo, Take a look here Does Leica and Alcohol Mix?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andybarton Posted May 21, 2012 Share #2 Posted May 21, 2012 I use nothing stronger than breath and a proper lens cloth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted May 21, 2012 Share #3 Posted May 21, 2012 I use nothing stronger than breath and a proper lens cloth. A few good glasses calvados and than breath and a proper lens cloth maybe? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted May 21, 2012 Share #4 Posted May 21, 2012 Pure IPA (spectroscopic grade, 99+) is about the best safe cleaner you can get, also for the sensor. At least this is what I use (OK, this is not necessarily a recommendation). For optics stuff at work (i.e.things of value that I did not pay for directly) I use chloroform. Use this at your own peril. In fact do not use it at all unless you really want to take a risk. Still it is a remarkable cleaning agent, nearly free of residue, high wetting angle (it de-wets spontaneously). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted May 21, 2012 Share #5 Posted May 21, 2012 I like the mix of alcohol and Leica Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/180033-does-leica-and-alcohol-mix/?do=findComment&comment=2019985'>More sharing options...
andybarton Posted May 21, 2012 Share #6 Posted May 21, 2012 I use chloroform. Use this at your own peril. Zzzz. Zzz Be careful not to drop that lens as you collapse... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted May 21, 2012 Share #7 Posted May 21, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I use nothing stronger than breath and a proper lens cloth. I'm with Andy on this one . . . but a clean t-shirt is pretty good as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismon Posted May 21, 2012 Share #8 Posted May 21, 2012 A quick shot of vodka, then exhale on your lens (beer won't work). Limit cleaning to two lenses, or you'll forget to remove the lens caps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TshawM8 Posted May 22, 2012 Share #9 Posted May 22, 2012 Mixing alcohol with Leica is, as I'm sure many would agree, a waste of alcohol. Drink it instead (even if its rubbing alcohol). - Thomas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted May 22, 2012 Share #10 Posted May 22, 2012 I'm with Andy on this one . . . but a clean t-shirt is pretty good as well. Jono, if your T-shirt is clean, your not working hard enough! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted May 22, 2012 Share #11 Posted May 22, 2012 This is better than lens testing but in back-to-back tests I can't tell the difference between alcohol and fresh breath. But breathing on the lens, one way or another, is the best way to clean it, I would never use a cleaning liquid. For the very rare sticky spot I use a LensPen. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted May 22, 2012 Share #12 Posted May 22, 2012 I too breath on the lens then wipe with a lint free lens cloth, but I still wonder about natural bacteria or whatever that may transfer from this technique. Logic tells me that a purpose designed fluid must be better. Problem is, I never have one with me when I need it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted May 22, 2012 Share #13 Posted May 22, 2012 Rosco lens tissue Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted May 22, 2012 Share #14 Posted May 22, 2012 For really stubborn marks on lenses I use ROR... ror lens cleaner - Google Search I bought a bottle in the 90s and it's still almost full. Normally breath and a microfibre cleaning cloth works fine. Never spray the liquid onto the glass directly, always onto the cloth first, then wipe the lens with the damp cloth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted May 22, 2012 Share #15 Posted May 22, 2012 Avoid tequila - the worm gets stuck in the shutter. Don't ask me how I know this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpattison Posted May 22, 2012 Share #16 Posted May 22, 2012 For really stubborn marks on lenses I use ROR... Me, I use a Karcher Karcher UK | Cold water high-pressure cleaners John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted May 22, 2012 Share #17 Posted May 22, 2012 Normal alcohol should be ok. I used Butanol once on an old Nikon lens and it took all the coating off though Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messsucherkamera Posted May 23, 2012 Share #18 Posted May 23, 2012 I use RoR once in a blue moon - only if I have some sort of smear on a lens element such as an inadvertant finger touch due to a lens handling miscue. If fogging the lens with warm breath then using a microfiber lens cleaning cloth doesn't do the job, it's time to go to the RoR. The only cleaning I usually need to do is to remove dust particles. I use a can of photographic compressed air for this or a clean horse hair lens brush. It is important to limit lens cleaning as much as possible. I have seen lenses that were owned by obsessive lens cleaners that have had the lens coating rubbed off as a result of lens cleaning overkill. When you work in a camera store for awhile, you find yourself amazed by the myriad of innovative ways people will devise to bugger up a perfectly good camera or lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washington Posted May 23, 2012 Share #19 Posted May 23, 2012 #0000 steel-wool: Boy oh boy, does that ever get the crap off.... including that pesky coating! Soft focus anyone? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokoshawnuff Posted May 23, 2012 Share #20 Posted May 23, 2012 #0000 steel-wool: Boy oh boy, does that ever get the crap off.... including thatpesky coating! Soft focus anyone? +1 As everyone says, they're "just tools" after all Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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