I just ran out of my last bunch of Kodak lens cleaning papers. There are lots of other products out there these days, including "lens pens." What is the preferred method/technology for large format lenses? Suggestions?
Lens cleaning
-
A
- Thread starter Doc W
- Start date
Recent Classifieds
-
For Sale Nikon - Nikkor 90 f 8 lens with Rodenstock center filter
- Started by Mario Belic
-
For Sale Kern Aarau Macro Yvar 150mm f/3.3 with M42 mount
- Started by varg
Forum statistics
There were good Zeiss Lens Cloths ( wet paper tissues in sealed sachets ) at Walmart. 50 in a blue cardbooard box that are excellent!
https://www.google.be/search?q=zeis...zaLVAhVKVxoKHZtID0AQ_AUICigB&biw=1680&bih=944
https://www.google.be/search?q=zeis...zaLVAhVKVxoKHZtID0AQ_AUICigB&biw=1680&bih=944
Heavyweight microfiber lens cleaning cloth and your breath.
Dead Link Removed
Microdear makes Adorama's cloths and may make others. It is the best. Wash in the washer without fabric softener, air dry.
Dead Link Removed
Microdear makes Adorama's cloths and may make others. It is the best. Wash in the washer without fabric softener, air dry.
Products made for eyeglasses may not be suitable for camera lenses because of the very fragile lens coating. Stick with products made for camera lenses.
OP
OP
I read exactly this just recently, i.e., that cloths intended for eyeglasses might not be suitable for camera lenses. I was also told by an optician that breathing on the lens didn't really do anything.
So what products are there which are directed specifically at lenses and not eyeglasses?
The microfiber cloth I linked to in post #3. Nikon, Canon, Zeiss market their versions also, likely made by Microdear.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/sear...488+4126061402&origSearch=lens+cleaning+cloth
The warm moisture from your breath will loosen haze from the environment, it doesn't do much if any thing for fingerprints.
Remember, eyeglasses have coatings too. Now I'm not saying that the Zeiss brand eyeglass wipes are the best option out there, but they're a better option than those terrible Kodak lens cleaning papers you have been using. The old lens cleaning tissues were good for their time. But there have been some huge advancements in materials science of the past several decades, and those dinosaurs should have been discontinued in the last millennium.
In any case, the best thing to do is to just use a blower. You don't want to touch a lens anymore than you have to. Beyond that, the next best option is to use a spray and microfiber cloth. Avoid paper if possible. The microfiber cloths are easy to clean. I usually do a few by hand in a coffee cup with a dab of laundry detergent, rinse in cool water under the faucet with a final rinse in a cup of distilled water, and hang to dry in the bathroom. They come out good as new and will last for years that way, so they're even cheaper than the old tissues.
In any case, the best thing to do is to just use a blower. You don't want to touch a lens anymore than you have to. Beyond that, the next best option is to use a spray and microfiber cloth. Avoid paper if possible. The microfiber cloths are easy to clean. I usually do a few by hand in a coffee cup with a dab of laundry detergent, rinse in cool water under the faucet with a final rinse in a cup of distilled water, and hang to dry in the bathroom. They come out good as new and will last for years that way, so they're even cheaper than the old tissues.
actually, I have a question so similar that I thought I'd post it here. I have some 35mm filters that I can't get clean with microfibre cloths or with a lens cleaning pen. One of the employees at a local camera shop suggested I just try a little bit of water. Anyone see any issues with this?
Insufficient information. What type of filters, solid glass in a metal rim, gelatin, gelatin sandwiched between glass with or without a metal rim, plastic with or without a metal rim, something else, no clue?
Sandwitched filters are subject to moisture penetrating the edges and damaging the filter material. Plastic are subjected to scratches, metal rims may corrode.
I've cleaned many vintage lens and glass filters with my breath and a heavyweight microfiber cloth, I had to apply my breath and wipe many times to get the 50+ year old haze off and alcohol, Windex, dish detergent and water would not phase.
When cleaning an optical glass surface with water use a slow running stream and rub lightly with your finger tips only.
-
- Ces1um
- Deleted
- Reason: should have used reply with quote
These would all be glass with a metal rim. They are pentax skylight and uv/haze filters that date back to the launch of my k2. They have some pretty stubborn stuck on gunk which I can't get off with my lens pens, nor with lens paper. My microfibre cloth cleans the glass around these spots but these things are stuck on. I've spent about 5min of solid cleaning per filter with a pretty poor result. I almost feel like I need to use my fingernails to pick this stuff off, but it's very fine.
Sounds like you have some other than the normal stuff that get on filters, try some Windex or acetone and a Q-tip.
Been there and have done it, but gently. A scratch of the front will not be visible in the image unless severe when side light will cause flare.
Try post #11 before the fingernail. Have the spot moist when applying pressure from a fingernail.
I'm probably doing it wrong and I've never screwed a lens up other than the one I dropped. Soft natural hair makeup brush, denatured alcohol, 100% cotton ball slightly dampened, circular gentle wipe, dry cotton ball gentle circular motion. Works for me for about 50 years.
Never paper towel or other paper not meant for glass. Soft cloths and microfiber cloths are good with lens spray or water.
BH photo has Tiffen branded lens cleaning paper. Fifty sheets for $1.99.
B#H TILTQ
B#H TILTQ
Lens coatings typically are very hard. I use lens cleaning fluid designed for this purpose (and for cleaning coated glass filters) and microfiber cloth. I've found called "Dickies" (in the USA) that are reminiscent of chamois leather, but are cloth. These work for me for my glasses (which also have anit-reflective and anti-scratch coating) as well as camera lens surfaces. I used my breath to fog over lenses temporarily to see if they are clean. The fluid I use is Formula MC.
Last edited:
Kimwipes contain cellulose. Yet wood (where cellulose comes from) pulp has long been criticized for cleaning lenses with coatings.
From my college days in the biology lab, I distinctly remember blowing my nose into Kimwipes while having a head cold and doing lab studies, and I left my nose raw from doing so.
Movie industry brought us Tiffen filters, too.
I advocate a huff of breath and a swipe with microfiber cloth, which gets hand laundered regularly.
For really difficult greasy situations (very rare to need) I use R-O-R cleaning fluid sparingly.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2012
- Messages
- 3,362
- Format
- 35mm RF
I've cleaned lenses every which way over the years. Probably the best easiest way is with a Kimwipe and some cleaning fluid. I really liked the Zeiss fluid I used to buy at Wallyworld of all places, but the last bottle I bought there was different, and came from a different division of Zeiss. The best fluid I have used is ROR. I think the last time I bought it at B&H. They also have the Zeiss stuff.
If you want the ultimate clean lens, there is a polymer that used to be called OptiClean but I think the name is different now. You paint it on, then peel it off. Incredible stuff. Cleans the lens microscopically, probably getting it cleaner than when it was new. Costs a small fortune though. I have some of it and only use it to clean the internal surfaces of a lens if the lens is worth it. Like I said, costs a fortune.
I have also read that you can use Collodion which is what they used to use to clean large telescopes. Never tried it myself.
I clean filters all the time with paper towels and Windex..... Haven't scratched one yet.
If you want the ultimate clean lens, there is a polymer that used to be called OptiClean but I think the name is different now. You paint it on, then peel it off. Incredible stuff. Cleans the lens microscopically, probably getting it cleaner than when it was new. Costs a small fortune though. I have some of it and only use it to clean the internal surfaces of a lens if the lens is worth it. Like I said, costs a fortune.
I have also read that you can use Collodion which is what they used to use to clean large telescopes. Never tried it myself.
I clean filters all the time with paper towels and Windex..... Haven't scratched one yet.
Do you have any idea what it's called now? Googling OptiClean turns up a product that's used to clean automobile finishes.
David
Last edited:
I use compressed air, a soft brush and toilet paper with eye-glass cleaner fluid in that sequence but no rubbing or spraying fluid directly onto the lens.
OP
OP
Ralph, I lived in Europe in the late 70s and I swear that some of the toilet paper still had wood chips in it. I am glad things have improved! 
Ralph, I lived in Europe in the late 70s and I swear that some of the toilet paper still had wood chips in it. I am glad things have improved!
Darn... that's a nasty place to get splinters. Who could one get to pull a splinter out? That's a bit like getting a snake bite on one's private parts. Ain't no one gonna help. Be careful making pee-pee in the woods, folks.
| Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here. |
PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:  |