vikag Posted October 16, 2020 Share #1 Posted October 16, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) I’m constantly smudging the viewfinder end the rangefinder window. In fact the visibility of the viewfinder is affected due to smudging. Is lenspen (the small one meant for viewfinders) a good tool to use? I know many people prefer microfibre cloth and some prefer lenspen. But does it matter? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 16, 2020 Posted October 16, 2020 Hi vikag, Take a look here Cleaning M10 viewfinder and rangefinder window. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Ecar Posted October 16, 2020 Share #2 Posted October 16, 2020 I use my shirt (or T-shirt, or jumper, or any other piece of clean, soft cloth). Never had a scratch. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted October 16, 2020 Share #3 Posted October 16, 2020 I was told recently and personally by one of the best Leica service people in the world, that he uses toilet paper (!) to clean inside lenses. It made me realise how out of touch people like me are, who get OCD over camera cleaning products. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock Posted October 16, 2020 Share #4 Posted October 16, 2020 27 minutes ago, M9reno said: I was told recently and personally by one of the best Leica service people in the world, that he uses toilet paper (!) to clean inside lenses. It made me realise how out of touch people like me are, who get OCD over camera cleaning products. I take it that it was not IZAL Medicated paper 🤣 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pajamies Posted October 16, 2020 Share #5 Posted October 16, 2020 (edited) I learned a few decades ago, when working with glass cuvettes for chemical analysis, that ordinary tissue paper (of the Kleenex-variety) did not scratch the glass, but paper towels did, because they contained tiny amounts of sand. Did not research the toilet paper sand content then. The idea was to save money by using something cheaper than "lens paper". Edited October 16, 2020 by pajamies 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreasG Posted October 16, 2020 Share #6 Posted October 16, 2020 Paper often contains inorganic fillers, which can damage coatings on glass or even the glass surface. Therefore, for such kind of cleaning I use a piece of cotton or chamois leather. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBJ2 Posted October 16, 2020 Share #7 Posted October 16, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) 6 hours ago, vikag said: I’m constantly smudging the viewfinder end the rangefinder window. In fact the visibility of the viewfinder is affected due to smudging. Is lenspen (the small one meant for viewfinders) a good tool to use? I know many people prefer microfibre cloth and some prefer lenspen. But does it matter? When I carry the M10, I also carry a microfiber cloth 100% of the time, specifically to clean the often smudged viewfinder and rangefinder widows. I use the Leica Microfiber Lens Cleaner Cloth. This cloth while expensive, holds up very well for a very long time without the need to wash. I am not certain but I think this particular cloth must be coated with something like Teflon as it never seems to get dirty. https://www.adorama.com/lclnsclcth.html 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! 2 1 Quote 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/314255-cleaning-m10-viewfinder-and-rangefinder-window/?do=findComment&comment=4063571'>More sharing options...
Rob L Posted October 16, 2020 Share #8 Posted October 16, 2020 There is no way a Leica technician uses toilet paper to clean lens elements, or even has it near their workplace. The stuff is designed to disintegrate when it gets wet so as not to clog sewers. If you have ever handled toilet paper in bright light or sunshine you would notice the extreme amount of dust that flies off. It would be impossible to get the lens reassembled without having a massive amount of dust trapped inside. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted October 16, 2020 Share #9 Posted October 16, 2020 OK hands up everybody who has actually seen a Leica M with scratches on the window or the viewfinder glass other than accident damage? In over forty years never seen it. I clean with whatever cloth based item is to hand, usually my shirt. 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock Posted October 16, 2020 Share #10 Posted October 16, 2020 2 hours ago, Rob L said: There is no way a Leica technician uses toilet paper to clean lens elements, or even has it near their workplace. The stuff is designed to disintegrate when it gets wet so as not to clog sewers. If you have ever handled toilet paper in bright light or sunshine you would notice the extreme amount of dust that flies off. It would be impossible to get the lens reassembled without having a massive amount of dust trapped inside. Perhaps you should change your brand of toilet paper, I have never had any problems which dust on my lenses, on my fountain pen nibs (which I clean with it) or anywhere else (which I won't mention). 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted October 16, 2020 Share #11 Posted October 16, 2020 6 hours ago, Rob L said: There is no way a Leica technician uses toilet paper to clean lens elements, or even has it near their workplace. The stuff is designed to disintegrate when it gets wet so as not to clog sewers. If you have ever handled toilet paper in bright light or sunshine you would notice the extreme amount of dust that flies off. It would be impossible to get the lens reassembled without having a massive amount of dust trapped inside. Believe it or not, it came from the horse’s mouth! Ipsissima verba, and meant in all seriousness. I wanted to ask which brand of toilet paper, but assumed it was a trade secret! 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted October 16, 2020 Share #12 Posted October 16, 2020 Almost every pair of pants/shorts I own has a microfibre cloth in the pocket. When the pants get washed the cloth goes along for the ride. Been collecting them for decades. So I use that. If not mt shirt will suffice. Gordon 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coupdefoudre Posted October 19, 2020 Share #13 Posted October 19, 2020 I carry one of those little microfibre cloths that tuck up inside a rubber or cloth bag. It clips to my camera bag or my camera strap. Never leave home without it! The lens pens work well also. You just have to remember which lens pen is for lenses and which is for glass that gets human oils on it. And then remember: never the twain shall meet! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
itcrashed Posted October 19, 2020 Share #14 Posted October 19, 2020 I don't use toilet paper, but instead use the thin paper toilet bibs. I use it for my glasses, camera lenses, viewfinders, you name it. It's the same material as "lens paper". It's also the same material used to blot oil off your face! Toilet paper can vary in what material is used and may contain harsh fibers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted October 19, 2020 Share #15 Posted October 19, 2020 (edited) On 10/16/2020 at 11:49 AM, LBJ2 said: When I carry the M10, I also carry a microfiber cloth 100% of the time, specifically to clean the often smudged viewfinder and rangefinder widows. I use the Leica Microfiber Lens Cleaner Cloth. This cloth while expensive, holds up very well for a very long time without the need to wash. I am not certain but I think this particular cloth must be coated with something like Teflon as it never seems to get dirty. https://www.adorama.com/lclnsclcth.html 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! I have half a dozen of these, freebies from various lens and body purchases over the years. I didn't realise they were expensive. Perhaps I should ebay them. I'm another one for using any convenient clothing I happen to wear to clean the rangefinder window. Traditionally you cleaned the lens with a bit of spit and the end of your tie, but you only ever see photographers wearing those at weddings these days. Edited October 19, 2020 by LocalHero1953 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock Posted October 20, 2020 Share #16 Posted October 20, 2020 10 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said: I have half a dozen of these, freebies from various lens and body purchases over the years. I didn't realise they were expensive. Perhaps I should ebay them. I'm another one for using any convenient clothing I happen to wear to clean the rangefinder window. Traditionally you cleaned the lens with a bit of spit and the end of your tie, but you only ever see photographers wearing those at weddings these days. You could always purchase an old tie and carry it in your camera bag, it would certainly be a lot cheaper than the pukka Leica cloth. 😄 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted October 20, 2020 Share #17 Posted October 20, 2020 On 10/16/2020 at 12:49 PM, LBJ2 said: When I carry the M10, I also carry a microfiber cloth 100% of the time, specifically to clean the often smudged viewfinder and rangefinder widows. I use the Leica Microfiber Lens Cleaner Cloth. This cloth while expensive, holds up very well for a very long time without the need to wash. I am not certain but I think this particular cloth must be coated with something like Teflon as it never seems to get dirty. https://www.adorama.com/lclnsclcth.html 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! Leica used to give these away for free - possibly still do. The ones I have have become pretty stained over the years. I think the price is ridiculous. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted October 20, 2020 Share #18 Posted October 20, 2020 Am 16.10.2020 um 14:22 schrieb Rob L: The stuff is designed to disintegrate when it gets wet so as not to clog sewers. That depends on the country. Where I live, toilet paper does not disintegrate when wet, and I would actually hate it if it did. But I travel a lot (not at this point though) and have been to quite a few other countries where toilet paper does behave as you have described. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toastybunzz Posted October 24, 2020 Share #19 Posted October 24, 2020 I only use single use silk wipes. Jk I just use my shirt, maybe a microfiber now and then. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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