Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

qwerty · **Lens Cleaning -** 08-13-2009, 03:57 AM

I am curious... what do you use to clean your lenses.

Lupe Talamantez · 08-13-2009, 06:33 AM

"What" is Kodak Lens Cleaner and Kodak Lens Cleaning Paper. Been using it for many years. I have given thought to the Copper Hill products but have not ordered any.

Ralph Merlino · 08-13-2009, 09:19 AM

I have been using the same that Lupe uses for
many years. Works very well.

Kathy Adams Clark · 08-13-2009, 01:32 PM

A blower to blow the dust. If still dirty, a camel hair brush. (Mine retracts into a lipstick-style case.) Then, if the dirt is still there, I use Eclipse liquid.

kenw · 08-13-2009, 03:25 PM

....slobber and my t-shirt.

CaptainTom · 08-13-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenw

....slobber and my t-shirt.

finally, somebody telling the truth.

90% of the time I use my shirt tail or whatever is handy.

DDolan1075 · 08-13-2009, 07:40 PM

I am a novice photographer and I hope that you are kidding! Unless you are just cleaning a filter over the lens. Am I wrong?

bondarnes · 08-13-2009, 08:14 PM

I make an effort to clean my lenses once a year with Kodak lens solution and lens paper, whether they need it or not. Most beginning photographers clean their lenses too often. It is very easy to scratch the multicoating. If you shoot sports or in a dusty environment that is a different story.

Tim T · 08-13-2009, 08:17 PM

I use a rocket blower and then a lens pen.

Westx · 08-13-2009, 08:42 PM

Blow it off with a rocket blower and then brush with a lens pen if required.

kenw · 08-13-2009, 08:44 PM

Seriously, a good thorough cleaning a Don described is a once a year or so thing. If I have a major photo adventure coming up, I do it just to check everything out and do some mental planning, gyrations...

A gentle wipe with a suitably soft cloth or brush is all you need to remove the incidental dust/dirt/whatever. Scrubbing is going to do more damage than just leaving it alone. Small specs of anything on the outer element will never show in 99.9% of your shots anyway. Unless it is a film or rather large, don't sweat it.

If you get anal about replacing the lens cap, you'll find you need to clean it a lot less anyway.

qwerty · 08-14-2009, 03:30 AM

Being anal about the lens cap is not a problem....accidentally touching the lens while putting it back on is. I did this once and used Kenw's method to get the finger print off. Until then I had never cleaned my lenses and it got me curious what others did.

Ralph Merlino · 08-14-2009, 08:14 AM

I forgot to say that along with the Kodak lens cleaner
and Kodak lens cleaner tissue I also us Dust Off which
is canned air.Wal-Mart has it also Cosco.

CaptainTom · 08-14-2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph Merlino

I forgot to say that along with the Kodak lens cleaner
and Kodak lens cleaner tissue I also us Dust Off which
is canned air.Wal-Mart has it also Cosco.

Do some research on using canned air before you get it. It can harm your lens if not used properly.

bondarnes · 08-14-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph Merlino

I forgot to say that along with the Kodak lens cleaner
and Kodak lens cleaner tissue I also us Dust Off which
is canned air.Wal-Mart has it also Cosco.

I would never use Dust-Off on a lens. The possibility of getting a shot of propellant on the lens is a risk I am not willing to take.