Lens cleaning

[seventythree]

Whenever i try to clean a lens to remove finger marks i always seem to have grease marks left. Lint free cloths are useless, my lens pen isn't too bad, but i never seem to be able to get the 100% clean.Any tips?

this is probably a really stupid question?

Ideally i get the kids to keep their fingers to theirselves!

 

[pepper]

or if all else fails chop their fingers off?

Sometimes I threaten mine after they've borrowed a camera it comes back looking like its spent the evening working behind a chip bar!

 

[andyred]

I use an optic micro cloth (from an opticians for cleaning glassess) and it works a treat

 

[PickleB]

I taken to using microfibre cloths for both cleaning lenses and as a protective wrapping when I carry them. They're available from the 'Bay and your local supermarket.

For cleaning I use either isopropyl or methyl alcohol (isopropanol & methanol, respectively). Again, both are readily available. The reason for having both is that I've yet to decide which is best. Isopropyl is somewhat less volatile than 'quick-drying' methanol.

I'm pleased with the results so far. Does anyone out there have an opinion on this method?

 

[puddleduck]

For cleaning I use either isopropyl or methyl alcohol (isopropanol & methanol). Again, both are readily available. The reason for having both is that I've yet to decide which is best. Isopropyl is somewhat less volatile than 'quick-drying' methanol.

Bad idea - you'll damage the coating. If you must wet clean, use your own breath.

 

[seventythree]

Bad idea - you'll damage the coating. If you must wet clean, use your own breath.

would a weak detergent solution of some sort be ok?

 

[andyred]

would a weak detergent solution of some sort be ok?

If you breath on the lens and use one of the cloths I do - it removes all traces of greasy fingures etc.

If you pop to your local opticians they should be able to sort you out

 

[alastairb]

i tend to find a combination of rocket blower/lens pen/microfiber works very well

 

[petersmart]

If you are regularly having to clean a lens I'd suggest a UV filter as a protector - much cheaper than replacing an expensive lens.

 

[puddleduck]

would a weak detergent solution of some sort be ok?

nope, its best to avoid any sort of chemicals.

I use a Rocket Blower to remove debris, and a LensPen if I put a fingerprint or something on a lens. Personally I think its a good idea not to obsess over dust etc as it never shows in images, but a RocketBlower to remove debris, a LensPen or lens tissue plus breathing on a lens gets them as good a new.

 

[PickleB]

For cleaning I use either isopropyl or methyl alcohol (isopropanol & methanol, respectively) ...

Bad idea - you'll damage the coating. If you must wet clean, use your own breath.

Hmm! Haven't heard that before; so have a look at and comment on these these links, please:

'you can use pure alcohols such as methanol, ethanol or iso-propanol. Methanol is the preferred solvent'

and

How to Clean Lenses

But both you and the latter article have reminded me that I should have mentioned that I do first try breathing on the lens and using the cloth, but that sometimes just spreads whatever is on the surface rather than removing it; rather like the original question which was 'to clean a lens to remove finger marks i always seem to have grease marks left'.

 

[seventythree]

Yeh, my son wears glasses and i have a good few optical/lint free cloths which just seem spread things around. the lens pen is good but takes a fair bit of time. I just want an effective way of removing greasy marks from a lens with the minimal physical contact. experienced comments on the below kits etc would be appreciated. A uv filter would definately help save the lens , but just moves the problem forward a few cm's!

Hmm! Haven't heard that before; so have a look at and comment on these these links, please:

'you can use pure alcohols such as methanol, ethanol or iso-propanol. Methanol is the preferred solvent'

and

How to Clean Lenses

But both you and the latter article have reminded me that I should have mentioned that I do first try breathing on the lens and using the cloth, but that sometimes just spreads whatever is on the surface rather than removing it; rather like the original question which was 'to clean a lens to remove finger marks i always seem to have grease marks left'.