Lens Cleaning Fluids

[arigram]

Every glass and photographic equipment manufacturer have come up with their own branded lens cleaning fluid solution. The only differences I've found is that they are either the liquid drop or the spray kind.
But are they all created equal or are there better ones at preserving your lens and coating than others?

 

[Ian Grant]

They are all glass cleaners. You can buy them from a variety of sources, including your local garage for cleaning windscreens.

Actually the "professional" glass cleaning fluids smell just like wetting agent, which is not surprising as they are virtually the same. The windscreen cleaner usually also contains Glycol as an anti-freeze.

They all work just as well

Ian

 

[Andy K]

Has anyone got experience of using Dead Link Removed? Its a liquid polymer which you pour onto a lens, leave to gel, then peel off.

 

[bobwysiwyg]

Has anyone got experience of using Dead Link Removed? Its a liquid polymer which you pour onto a lens, leave to gel, then peel off.

Sounds very interesting. I hope someone with hands-on experience replies.

 

[arigram]

Opticlean sounds interesting indeed but impossible to find...

 

[Ian Grant]

Sounds a real con !!!

Ian

 

[Andy K]

Ari, Speedgraphic sell it. There's a list of suppliers Dead Link Removed.

 

[arigram]

Ari, Speedgraphic sell it. Their list of suppliers is Dead Link Removed.

It says "discontinued"...
EDIT: Ok, that's freaky: the stores I've looked at the links don't carry it.

 

[Andy K]

Shame. looked a good idea, no wiping the lens, so no chance of accidentally scratching it. I can only find it for sale in 500ml quantities at £430.00 a bottle!

 

[bobwysiwyg]

Found this one, seemingly independent reference..

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18345196

 

[Andy K]

I found it is still available but is now known as Photonic First Contact, and it is expensive!

 

[eddym]

Standing in line at a Walmart, I happened to spot a box of Zeiss lens wipes hanging on an end cap. No idea why they had them, but I bought a box and tried them. They are wonderful; prepackaged single use lens wipes with what appears to be an alcohol cleaning agent. I put 4 or 5 in each camera bag. B&H sells them, too.

 

[Alex Bishop-Thorpe]

I've found those little microfiber cloths you see at 1-hour labs do a brilliant job for the price.