Lens Cleaning Solution

RalphLambrecht · Oct 21, 2017

whtcan you recommend as a good hoe-made lens cleaning solution?

bernard_L · Oct 21, 2017

I use household window cleaning liquid, and will continue unless some one provides factual evidence (as opposed to internet rumor) that it is unfit. Possibly the tissue is more critical. I use the cloth pads provided by opticians for prescription glasses. Also, of course, make sure any grit is out of the way before rubbing, but that goes without saying.

chriscrawfordphoto · Oct 21, 2017

Alcohol works great, removes fingerprints and oils and dirt and leaves no residue, and doesn't damage glass or coatings. Nice and cheap; a quart of it is $2 at Kroger or Walmart.

RalphLambrecht · Oct 21, 2017

bernard_L said:
I use household window cleaning liquid, and will continue unless some one provides factual evidence (as opposed to internet rumor) that it is unfit. Possibly the tissue is more critical. I use the cloth pads provided by opticians for prescription glasses. Also, of course, make sure any grit is out of the way before rubbing, but that goes without saying.

I know what you means far, I've done the same; I use it in combination with woodpile-free toilet paper and that does a marvelous job.

RalphLambrecht · Oct 21, 2017

RalphLambrecht said:
I know what you means far, I've done the same; I use it in combination with woodpile-free toilet paper and that does a marvelous job.

a related question: Does anybody know what the difference is between rubbing alcohol and what's called 'medizinischer alcohol'(medical alcohol?) in Germany?

guangong · Oct 21, 2017

Some years ago I was told by a Leica service manager that they used ammonia. Nonetheless, I use Kodak and Tiffen lens cleaning solution if a lens requires such cleaning, but usually I simply breath on the lens and wipe gently with a well worn piece of cotton clothe. Since a small bottle of lens cleaning solution seems to last forever I prefer to be consevative.

nsurit · Oct 21, 2017

denatured alcohol, 100% cotton balls and a gentle circular touch.

faberryman · Oct 21, 2017

I use a bulk box of one-shot premoistened (alcohol) lens wipe packets from Costco. One shot means there is no chance of anything abrasive having found its way onto the tissue, and I can easily pack a couple in my camera bag. Cost is three or four cents each. I also use them to clean glass when I'm framing prints.

tedr1 · Oct 21, 2017

The chemical isopropyl alcohol is a common, safe and inexpensive mild solvent often used for cleaning. In the USA it is packaged at the pharmacy as a 91% liquid in water for cleaning wounds and skin. There are other preparations that comprise isopropyl alcohol (IPA) combined with other fluids, eg wintergreen, for rubbing on sore areas of the body and called "rubbing alcohol".

The stuff we drink is a dilute form of ethyl alcohol, with impurities that taste nice

There is also methyl alcohol which is also a common solvent and liquid fuel, do not drink it.

gorbas · Oct 21, 2017

For me Rosco lens cleaner liquid is the best

faberryman · Oct 21, 2017

tedr1 said:
The chemical isopropyl alcohol is a common, safe and inexpensive mild solvent often used for cleaning. In the USA it is packaged at the pharmacy as a 91% liquid in water for cleaning wounds and skin.

Be sure and read the label. The isopropyl alcohol at my CVS is only 70%. Maybe they have some with a higher concentration behind the counter.

jim10219 · Oct 21, 2017

faberryman said:
Be sure and read the label. The isopropyl alcohol at my CVS is only 70%. Maybe they have some with a higher concentration behind the counter.

Do they not have both? My local CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart all carry 70% and 91%. They’re always located right next to each other on the same counter. I cant find 100% anywhere though. That would be nice to have.

Anyway, I wouldn’t use windex or any regular glass cleaner. I’ve never used it on a lens, but I used it on a piece of anti-glare picture frame glass and it ruined it. It left wavy streaks in it that won’t go away.

JensH · Oct 21, 2017

RalphLambrecht said:
a related question: Does anybody know what the difference is between rubbing alcohol and what's called 'medizinischer alcohol'(medical alcohol?) in Germany?

Hi,

I guess rubbing alcohol means "Brennspiritus" here, denaturated ethanol, no/or lower taxes (no "Brandweinsteuer"). "Medizinischer Alkohol" is ethanol without additives at higher taxes.

Best
Jens

Peltigera · Oct 21, 2017

The only time I use a lens cleaning solution is when I buy a mistreated vintage camera. Then I either use ROR or, if that does not work, brass cleaner (seriously. It doesn't seem to do any harm when used briefly once).

Sirius Glass · Oct 21, 2017

A gentle touch with a cotton ball and isopropyl alcohol will do it, but keep the cotton wet when touching the lens.

wiltw · Oct 21, 2017

guangong said:
I use Kodak and Tiffen lens cleaning solution if a lens requires such cleaning, but usually I simply breath on the lens and wipe gently with a well worn piece of cotton clothe. Since a small bottle of lens cleaning solution seems to last forever I prefer to be consevative.

I am like you...huff of breath usually is more than enough. So I have a bottle of genuine Kodak solution left over from the from 1960's, and for any really greasy smudges I use R-O-R (Residual Oil Remover) bottle left over from the late 1980s, and I still have lots of both left over!

But IPA in as high a percentage solution (minimum water content) is best alternative, but NOT 'rubbing alcohol'

RalphLambrecht · Oct 22, 2017

guangong said:
Some years ago I was told by a Leica service manager that they used ammonia. Nonetheless, I use Kodak and Tiffen lens cleaning solution if a lens requires such cleaning, but usually I simply breath on the lens and wipe gently with a well worn piece of cotton clothe. Since a small bottle of lens cleaning solution seems to last forever I prefer to be consevative.

ammonia is hard to get in Germany

RalphLambrecht · Oct 22, 2017

nsurit said:
denatured alcohol, 100% cotton balls and a gentle circular touch.

how is denatured alcohol different rubbing alcohol?

RalphLambrecht · Oct 22, 2017

Peltigera said:
The only time I use a lens cleaning solution is when I buy a mistreated vintage camera. Then I either use ROR or, if that does not work, brass cleaner (seriously. It doesn't seem to do any harm when used briefly once).

you are a hack.

RalphLambrecht · Oct 22, 2017

RalphLambrecht said:
you are a hack.

but I envy your courage

Poisson Du Jour · Oct 22, 2017

Plain old Windex in a cheap spray bottle carried in my pack and an assortment of microfibre cloths works just fine and has for decades. Even on Canon's price L-series lenses.

Down Under · Oct 22, 2017

#1 for Pois(s)on Du Jour (#21). All my pro photographer friends in Malaysia use Mr Minute...

I go a little more exotique, and carry a small spray bottle of a product called Swan Alcohol LD/CD/CD ROM/VCD/DVD cleaning spray, available in most supermarkets or at The Store (the local equivalent of Reject Shop but with a much greater selection of everything) which costs me 6.90 ringgit (A$2.30) for a 46 ml spray bottle. Refills are also available in clear glass bottles for the same price. It's almost pure isoprophyl alcohol mixed with what the makers tweefully call "other ingredients are non-toxic" (hah). I spray it on a cotton swab or a Kleenex tissue to clean filters, DSLR screens and yes, lenses. In a pinch I could probably mix a mean martini with it. (A disclaimer is called for here, so no, I've never done that, nor should you.)

Way back when I had big bottles of Kodak lens cleaner and film cleaner in my home darkroom, the stuff was strong enough to knock you over with one whiff. My young brother and his friends used to sniff it for a quick high, I suspect, and I eventually had to secure the two bottles under lock and key. Both products are probably banned in most western countries now and for good reason.

A photo retail shop owner in Melbourne I did a lot of business with int he 1990s, once told me he used only water and Kleenex tissues to clean his lenses. He was (and still is for all I know) into Leicas and had a kit that would impress even the Royal Windsors.

I also knew someone who claimed he used Zippo lighter fluid to clean all his lenses. I never dared to try this.Does anyone here know what goes into the Zippo mix?

Rubbing alcohol as we know it is a booby product and good for almost nothing. My mother used it to rub me down when I came home sweaty from sports and I hate the smell of it to this day.

tedr1 · Oct 22, 2017

Denatured alcohol is alcohol with something added to make it taste bad so people don't drink it. The basic alcohol before denaturing could be any of the common ones, ethyl, isopropyl, or methyl.

The fuel for cigarette lighters is usually naptha, a mild liquid solvent that is not so plastic-safe as IPA, caution is advised when using it in the vicinity of plastic parts. Having no water content it is a very good lens cleaning fluid that leaves no moisture trails.

Peltigera · Oct 22, 2017

RalphLambrecht said:
but I envy your courage

Some old cameras have unbelievably dirty lenses. So long as you are gentle and stop once the dirt is gone, the glass is not harmed.

ac12 · Oct 25, 2017

READ the inert ingredients in rubbing alcohol.
Some is water (OK), but others have other "stuff" that may get left behind on the lens (NOT good).

Lens Cleaning Solution

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