Isopropyl alcohol vs. 96% ethanol?

onre · Jun 12, 2016

In practice, I've noticed that it's somehow easier to clean optical surfaces with 96% ethanol than isopropyl alcohol. Both get the grease off the glass very well, but for some reason it does not get transferred to the cleaning device (q-tip or cotton swab) as well when using isopropyl alcohol. Instead it's really easy to end up with a greasy film on the glass. This does not happen with ethanol.

What causes this? I've thought of different viscosities affecting the capillary action and stuff like that, but would like to know for sure.

Also, if you have a better solution for cleaning lens surfaces, please do tell. 96% ethanol is next to impossible to get in Finland.

gone · Jun 12, 2016

What percentage alcohol are you using? Most of what is on the shelves here in the US has a high percentage of water (70% alcohol, 30% water), and I had to look a little harder to find 91% alcohol in the stores. You might want to be a little more tidy when using ethyl alcohol, as its smaller molecular structure means that it will be more readily absorbed through the skin. Otherwise they're both alcohols, just w/ different chemical structures.

My lens cleaning preference is to use those little bottles that you can get at an eye glass store, or those little red bottles that come in kits w/ your lens tissue, a blower and brush at photography shops. I don't know what's in there but it works great. I bought one of those cheap lens cleaning kits about 15 years ago and the bottle still has fluid in it! You don't need much. The tissues don't last that long though, I've had to buy about a half dozen of those tissue packs.

onre · Jun 12, 2016

The isopropyl alcohol I'm using is "medical grade", only available from certified drug stores, and the material safety data sheet indicates 100% isopropanol content.

gone · Jun 12, 2016

Well, maybe the lower percentages are actually better. This link has some good info

http://www.ehow.com/about_6540795_ethanol-vs_-isopropyl-alcohol-disinfect.html

onre · Jun 12, 2016

Thanks for the link. I'll definitely try this.

paul ron · Jun 12, 2016

i only use denatured alcohol from the paint store n it leaves the glass spotless. ive tried labratory grade alcohols but cant seem to get the glass clean enough.

perhaps the addatives in denatured alcohol is what makes it better?

L Gebhardt · Jun 12, 2016

paul ron said:
i only use denatured alcohol from the paint store n it leaves the glass spotless. ive tried labratory grade alcohols but cant seem to get the glass clean enough.

perhaps the addatives in denatured alcohol is what makes it better?

Denatured is usually ethanol and about 10% methanol to make it poisonous. Methanol makes an excellent optical cleaner. Keep in mind that denatured is a generic term and theoretically they could change the formula at any time to add a different poison.

As an aside, I just love the idea of poisoning people in order to protect a tax revenue stream.

onre · Jun 12, 2016

L Gebhardt said:
As an aside, I just love the idea of poisoning people in order to protect a tax revenue stream.

Indeed.

An acquaintance of mine does all sorts of old photographic processes. When discussing chemicals, he noted that you can just walk into a pharmacy and buy 100 grams of potassium cyanide, but don't even dream of getting a drop of 96% alcohol.

Photo Engineer · Jun 12, 2016

One denaturant used in alcohols is detrimental in many photographic applications. Its presence can be determined by adding water to the alcohol and seeing if it becomes cloudy. This denaturant can leave behind a scum or particles.

IDK if it is used in IPA or not. I know it is used in ETOH. (Iso Propyl Alcohol, EThanOl with the H silent ).

PE

AgX · Jun 12, 2016

L Gebhardt said:
Denatured is usually ethanol and about 10% methanol to make it poisonous.

Depending on country the "denaturizing agent" will vary.

Methanol is not the best agent at all, as it is poisoning, but not different in taste from Ethanol.
Better agents would have a repellant character.

Agents may hamper cleaning action.

AgX · Jun 12, 2016

I use a variety of cleaning fluids depending on the soil.

Gerald C Koch · Jun 12, 2016

I have found that the best way to clean lenses is to use a lens cleaner intended for optical surfaces VERY sparingly. Kodak once made a very good one. These cleaners are very effective particularly with greasy finger prints. However the best way to keep your lenses clean is to treat them carefully in the first place. BTW, more lenses are ruined by over-zealous cleaning than by benign neglact. Small amounts of dust/lint on lenses in no way degrades their performance. The laws of optics state that it is impossible to any lens to focus on an object on its surface.

Photo Engineer · Jun 12, 2016

I put a UV filter over every lens I own just to prevent serious problems. I never have to clean an expensive lens. I clean the filter or replace it.

Methanol has a quite different flavor (I am told) than ethanol. It certainly smells very different!

PE

Gerald C Koch · Jun 12, 2016

The body detoxifies alcohols by first oxidizing them to the corresponding aldehyde. Thus methanol is converted to formaldehyde, ethyl alcohol to acetaldehyde, etc. Acetaldehyde is the cause of many of the symptoms of a hangover. Native Americans lack the necessary enzyme needed for this conversion. Therefore ethyl alcohol remains in their bodies longer. A friend in college was half Native American. Two beers and he was gone for the evening.

The federal government lists hundreds of approved denaturants depending on the final use of the ethyl alcohol. Little concern is expressed for the unfortunant who consumes the alcohol. During Prohibition the draconian measure of adding strychnine to confiscated whisky and placing the product back on the market was used. It was hoped that a few deaths would decrease alcohol consumption. Today we don't remember just how rabid some the prohibitionists were.

Photo Engineer · Jun 12, 2016

And IPA goes on to become Acetone, which is toxic to the liver. Of course, Acetaldehyde is not very good for you either.

PE

Poisson Du Jour · Jun 13, 2016

Modern-era, multicoated lenses and especially MRC filters do not need and will not benefit from, ethanol or iso. alcohol. A moistened microfibre cloth, or liquid soap is a simple, inexpensive and excellent method for cleaning lens elements and especially filters — in both cases either the most antique or modern. Some filters e.g. B+W will actually smear with alcohol or any type, including proprietary lens cleaners.

Echoing PE's comment, I too have a filter in place on each and every one of my lenses and have very rarely needed to clean the lens elements.

onre · Jun 13, 2016

If someone only invented a filter which would prevent helicoid grease from entering the lens barrel and diaphragm blades. I quite often see cases where the lens has probably been left in sunshine, helicoid grease has turned liquid and entered a lens surface. Upon noticing this, the owner has usually put the lens in the back of a cabinet to "have it cleaned some day". Fast forward twenty years and I have the lens on my workbench...

CMoore · Jun 13, 2016

Is ammonia bad for a lens...something weak...like maybe 10:1 of Distilled water and ammonia.?
I am currently using whatever disposable lens tissues and liquid lens cleaner is sold by B & H.
A small bottle lasts a long time, and is easily tossed into a camera bag.

tokam · Jun 14, 2016

I'm also a UV filter everywhere man. Along with an effective lens hood. I also have a bottle of that Kodak lens cleaner and a box of Kimwipes for the odd filter that gets a smudge on it. I'd hate to think what contaminants are involved that would need IPA or ammonia to clean them up.

A quick tip for cleaning small lenses such as viewfinders etc. Roll up a PEC pad and put a drop of cleaner on the end of the roll. Very gentle way to completely clean small areas such as viewfinders.

Photo Engineer · Jun 14, 2016

Dont use Ammonia on a lens!

PE

AgX · Jun 14, 2016

Some glass cleaners contain ammonia (at least what I deduced from their smell). So far I never ever experienced detrimental effects (visually) on (coated) lens surfaces.

RattyMouse · Jun 14, 2016

I would NEVER use any cleaner on a lens that had ammonia in it. No way! Gooooood bye lens coating!!

Photo Engineer · Jun 14, 2016

I use household unscented Ammonia (2%) plus denatured alcohol in water (1:1:1) as an industrial strength window glass cleaner and that is about it!

Ammonia is not good on lenses.

PE

paul ron · Jun 15, 2016

ammonia is the death of mirrors!

alcohol will turn a first surface mirror blue.

paul ron · Jun 15, 2016

RattyMouse said:
I would NEVER use any cleaner on a lens that had ammonia in it. No way! Gooooood bye lens coating!!

so if i wanted to strip a coating off a lens all i need is ammonia?

Isopropyl alcohol vs. 96% ethanol?

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