What do you use to clean your lens???

[woodlandsparty]

What do you use to clean your lens???

I haven't found anything that I like....or that I feel is really safe for the lens.

 

[jann1033]

i use a lens pen, about $10 at local camera shop ( brush end first, holding lens upside down so anything falls off, then buffing end)if it just might have a finger smudge or something, if i see anything goopy on it i use a tiny bit of eyeglass cleaning solution( wallmart, 1.99 then refill the bottle for free for life) and micro fiber cloth walmart also, under $3(which i regularly wash in the washer). you have to make sure it's totally air dried though before you put any filters on or it will fog ( a few seconds usually).
i asked my eyecare guy and that's what he recommendeded but make sure you wash the cloth often as if you don't anything on it will scratch the lens ( or your glasses for that matter) as many different coatings as are on glasses now, if figure they ought to be safe for cameras...my lenses all still are scratch free so they must be ok( my glasses not so much )

 

[skr8pn]

I use a T Shirt, most of the time XL with a stain on the front. Depends on what I'm wearing that day. Occasionally I use the wife's shirt which can be softer and have been known to lick the lense to get it wet enough to buff out water spots from mist like Fantasmic or on a ride. Just get a $15 UV filter and put it on the end. Filter cheap, lens not, so if it scratches, new filter.

Oh, forgot if you're heading to the world they have a Micky lens cloth and holder for like $6. You can clip it to the bag, it's actually a nice little cloth.

 

[Furgus]

Oh, forgot if you're heading to the world they have a Micky lens cloth and holder for like $6. You can clip it to the bag, it's actually a nice little cloth.

Yes it is, and someone was nice enough to get me one on their last trip
I use a microfiber cloth and the lens pen that Jann suggested. Works great.

 

[Groucho]

Microfiber is wonderful stuff for all sorts of things, and definitely makes for a great lens cloth.

Your lens is probably a lot sturdier than you give it credit for, though...

I love my equipment but I'm not ready to start licking the lens like skr8pn, though. That's just a little too intimate for my tastes!

 

[jann1033]

skr8pn...ever think what all is in that dust on the safari ride? but to each their own

 

[allyn]

i second the lens pen.

 

[skr8pn]

You all don't know what you missing! A good lens is like a fine plate of BBQ.
The only reason I resorted to that is the when I wiped it the first time nothing moved like it was stuck. So I licked my finger and then hit the lengs. Still nothing. So I took a deep breath and now I have a good story to tell. The lens pen is a pretty cool little deal though. Wouldn't mind having one, might have to look into it.

 

[DVC Jen]

anyone try rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball? That is what the guy at the camera store told me to use (and he is a professional photographer working there part time).

 

[jann1033]

on the canon web site they just say
"Step 1

Carefully blow off any dust or dirt, using a blower brush or (very carefully!) compressed air.

Step 2

Place a drop of lens cleaning fluid on a clean piece of lens cleaning tissue, or blow gently on the lens so that moisture condenses on its surface.
Step 3

Gently wipe the lens surface from the edges toward the center of the lens, with a lifting rather than rubbing action.
A micro-fiber cleaning cloth is a good alternative to lens tissue, and requires no lens cleaning fluid."
(HA i should take this into my lenscrafters and demand they fix my scratched glasses for free)

and of course a plug for more money

"For best performance, use only the Canon Lens Cleaning Kit which contains cleaning solution,
lens tissue and blower brush, available through your authorized Canon Camera Dealer."


and a plea for yet more money


"Lens Protection

Consider using a Skylight or UV filter as full-time protection of your lens, shooting your pictures through it and removing it only when you're using another filter for special effect. And of course, don't forget to use your front and rear lens caps!


Your lenses are precision instruments just like your EOS camera is. Protect them from shock, impacts and dust by using an appropriate lens case. And store them in cool,
dry areas whenever possible."




I see no reference to the BBq like qualities of lenses however

 

[manning]

Just make sure any sharp dirt is gently removed before using the pen or soft cloth.

 

[skr8pn]

on the canon web site they just say
"Step 1

Carefully blow off any dust or dirt, using a blower brush or (very carefully!) compressed air.

Take deep breathe, blow crud off lens

Step 2

Place a drop of lens cleaning fluid on a clean piece of lens cleaning tissue, or blow gently on the lens so that moisture condenses on its surface.

Take note blowing on lens didn't work. Proceed to lick lens.

Step 3

Gently wipe the lens surface from the edges toward the center of the lens, with a lifting rather than rubbing action.
A micro-fiber cleaning cloth is a good alternative to lens tissue, and requires no lens cleaning fluid

." .

Be sure to get all the crud out, like cleaning your finger nails after changing your oil. Might shy away from the go-jo with pumic though. Don't want to waste good go-jo.

I see no reference to the BBq like qualities of lenses however

If they told everybody about it, I wouldn't be nearly as funny telling the story now would I?

I still vote for the UV filter if you don't feel comfortable with my preferred cleaning methods.

 

[Groucho]

Take deep breathe, blow crud off lens

The step immediately after this one is to use your t-shirt to wipe off the spit that you just blew all over the lens! Bleahhhhhh!

 

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

underwear

 

[boBQuincy]

You all don't know what you missing! A good lens is like a fine plate of BBQ.
The only reason I resorted to that is the when I wiped it the first time nothing moved like it was stuck. So I licked my finger and then hit the lengs. Still nothing. So I took a deep breath and now I have a good story to tell. The lens pen is a pretty cool little deal though. Wouldn't mind having one, might have to look into it.

You ain't right. You just ain't right!!! Speaking of BBQ, where's lunch today?

I still stick to lens tissue. Sing the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", change a word, and there's what is on your lens after a safari!
Maybe I don't want lunch now...

 

[jann1033]

underwear

hopefully not the ones you ought to be wearing...or i really don't want the seat you sat in : and i hope sk8pn( or what ever those initials are) doesn't ever ask you to clean his lens for him before he cleans it his way,,doubt there would be any "bbq" flavor left, no offense

 

[skr8pn]

I do highly disagree with the underwear method. As a matter of fact, it kinda scares me. Might have to revert to the T-Shirt method.

 

[m1ckeym0use1]

If you want the lens REALLY clean... use the dishwasher. (Top shelf, gentle cycle of course).

 

[Groucho]

I would prefer to use someone ELSE's underwear. Preferably a nice Victoria's Secret model... mmm...

Is the lens still clean if it's thinking impure thoughts?!?

Worse comes to worse, you can always use a Brillo pad... that'll clean anything!

(Talk about a twisted thread! Yeesh....)

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I think grit is responsible for most lens scratches. The main thing I do is to blow/brush off the lens very carefully before any significant cleaning. I prefer to use a microfiber cloth but I've used jackets, t-shirts, and even tissues.

Good lenses are pretty scratch resistant. It's generally only really hard things (like bits of sand) that can scratch them. I don't use UV filters and walk around most of the day with no lens cap (I usually use a lens hood though) and I haven't scratched any lenses. Even if I did, a light scratch on the front element would probably not be noticable in pictures. Remember, lens are looking through, not at.