Lens cleaning

mtjade2007 · Oct 8, 2021

Has anyone tried to use Scotch tape to clean lens? I was very frustrated too by not able to truly clean the cleaning marks left by using Isopropryl Alcohol for cleaning. I don't remember why I started to use Scotch tape. It is the cheap transparent office use Scotch tape that uses weak adhesive on the tape. Just apply the tape over the lens surface then lift it. The lens surface will be completely clean! The only problem is it is difficult to apply to the outer edge of the lens. Just do it patiently and the lens will be really clean. No adhesive will be left on the glass. Just make sure the tape is a clean one that does not have dust on the edges of it.

beemermark · Oct 9, 2021

I generally use my T-shirt. If really tough then a dab from my Vodka on my T-shirt. Once in a great while I use those Zeiss towelettes. Once upon a time lens coatings used to be really soft, not anymore on modern lenses. I had it ingrained in me at an early age that too much cleaning was more likely to ruin the lens and a little dirt that didn't hurt anything photographically. For a good lesson in cleaning lenses find a general photography book from the 60's or earlier.

Sirius Glass · Oct 9, 2021

beemermark said:
I generally use my T-shirt. If really tough then a dab from my Vodka on my T-shirt. Once in a great while I use those Zeiss towelettes. Once upon a time lens coatings used to be really soft, not anymore on modern lenses. I had it ingrained in me at an early age that too much cleaning was more likely to ruin the lens and a little dirt that didn't hurt anything photographically. For a good lesson in cleaning lenses find a general photography book from the 60's or earlier.

Great use of vodka since it is tasteless. Real martinis use gin.

RalphLambrecht · Oct 10, 2021

benjiboy said:
Zeiss lens cleaning fluid spray from Amazon Alan

Zeiss lens cleaning spray Alan from Amazon U.K, it's also available on Amazon U.S, it's the best I have ever used in more than 60 years of photography, but I stress I don't use microfibre cloths only lens cleaning tissues.

benjiboy said:
Zeiss lens spray from Amazon.

Iuse the lensçleaner from Walmart,called Hilco Platinum no-glare; comes in 2 fl ounces spray bottles and sometimes follow up with a 99.9% alcohol.

tokam · Oct 10, 2021

For the last 7 - 8 years I've survived with a 37 ml bottle of Kodak Professional Lens Cleaner, (about half full now), and a box of #4103 Kimwipes. These are kept in a ziploc bag until needed. I finish off with a breath on the lens to reveal any swirls and if necessary polish off the mist from breathing on the lens - spotless!!

Lenses rarely need cleaning - maybe once every 3 - 4 years. Filters may require cleaning once every year or so or when obviously smudged. Also have a Giottos rocket blower and fine haired brush.

RalphLambrecht · Oct 12, 2021

mtjade2007 said:
Has anyone tried to use Scotch tape to clean lens? I was very frustrated too by not able to truly clean the cleaning marks left by using Isopropryl Alcohol for cleaning. I don't remember why I started to use Scotch tape. It is the cheap transparent office use Scotch tape that uses weak adhesive on the tape. Just apply the tape over the lens surface then lift it. The lens surface will be completely clean! The only problem is it is difficult to apply to the outer edge of the lens. Just do it patiently and the lens will be really clean. No adhesive will be left on the glass. Just make sure the tape is a clean one that does not have dust on the edges of it.

I'm really sceptical to even try this method.

Sirius Glass · Oct 12, 2021

mtjade2007 said:
Has anyone tried to use Scotch tape to clean lens? I was very frustrated too by not able to truly clean the cleaning marks left by using Isopropryl Alcohol for cleaning. I don't remember why I started to use Scotch tape. It is the cheap transparent office use Scotch tape that uses weak adhesive on the tape. Just apply the tape over the lens surface then lift it. The lens surface will be completely clean! The only problem is it is difficult to apply to the outer edge of the lens. Just do it patiently and the lens will be really clean. No adhesive will be left on the glass. Just make sure the tape is a clean one that does not have dust on the edges of it.

RalphLambrecht said:
I'm really sceptical to even try this method.

I certainly would never use this method.

RalphLambrecht · Oct 13, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
I certainly would never use this method.

I got rid of stubborn cleaning residue after I made it a habit to replace the cleaning cloth or aper more frequently

benjiboy · Oct 13, 2021

RalphLambrecht said:
I got rid of stubborn cleaning residue after I made it a habit to replace the cleaning cloth or aper more frequently

I find the biggest factor in getting lenses clean is using a decent quality lens cleaning fluid , but most importantly lens cleaning tissues that you change often ( not the end of your tie , or t shirt)

mtjade2007 · Oct 17, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
I certainly would never use this method.

Try it on your eye glasses and see if it leaves anything on the glass. Or try it on a lens that you don't care about. The first time I did it on a valuable lens was on a Pentax 67 165mm Lens. I first used Kodak lens cleaning paper with Isopropryl Alcohol. The lens was left with obvious cleaning marks that I could not remove no matter how I tried to clean them off. I realized if I continued to clean it the lens would be scratched eventually. I was completely frustrated and had no solutions. I then used a piece of the Scotch tape on the center of the front glass. I was immediately amazed how clean it was. I then applied it to the entire surface of the front glass. It took my only 10 minutes and the glass looked like new. No more cleaning marks any more. I have never needed to clean that lens ever again. It takes super sharp photos so far. I have cleaned several expensive lenses since then. Never found any adhesive left on the glass. Don't use any other tapes or packing adhesive tapes because the glue on these tapes are too strong and will probably find way to stick to the glass. The Scotch office use tape has very week glue on it. It is not sticky on the glass. It can be lifted off with almost no effort. But it will take whatever marks on the glass off with it.

Sirius Glass · Oct 17, 2021

mtjade2007 said:
Try it on your eye glasses and see if it leaves anything on the glass. Or try it on a lens that you don't care about. The first time I did it on a valuable lens was on a Pentax 67 165mm Lens. I first used Kodak lens cleaning paper with Isopropryl Alcohol. The lens was left with obvious cleaning marks that I could not remove no matter how I tried to clean them off. I realized if I continued to clean it the lens would be scratched eventually. I was completely frustrated and had no solutions. I then used a piece of the Scotch tape on the center of the front glass. I was immediately amazed how clean it was. I then applied it to the entire surface of the front glass. It took my only 10 minutes and the glass looked like new. No more cleaning marks any more. I have never needed to clean that lens ever again. It takes super sharp photos so far. I have cleaned several expensive lenses since then. Never found any adhesive left on the glass. Don't use any other tapes or packing adhesive tapes because the glue on these tapes are too strong and will probably find way to stick to the glass. The Scotch office use tape has very week glue on it. It is not sticky on the glass. It can be lifted off with almost no effort. But it will take whatever marks on the glass off with it.

Even through Costco my eyeglasses cost over $150 for the lenses alone. I would rather test the eye glasses with sand paper than risk the surface coating with tape.

mtjade2007 · Oct 17, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
Even through Costco my eyeglasses cost over $150 for the lenses alone. I would rather test the eye glasses with sand paper than risk the surface coating with tape.

Well, biggest risk is to not take one. But that's me. Don't do it if you don't believe it. By the way, Costco eye glasses are reported to be the cheapest in the market and they have an one year warranty. Maybe this is not true.

Sirius Glass · Oct 17, 2021

mtjade2007 said:
Well, biggest risk is to not take one. But that's me. Don't do it if you don't believe it. By the way, Costco eye glasses are reported to be the cheapest in the market and they have an one year warranty. Maybe this is not true.

Why spend more for eye glass lenses? But even buying that way does not make the lenses all the inexpensive. If I were you, suggest testing the tape on the car windshield in a corner.

MattKing · Oct 17, 2021

Try it on an old pair of glasses - not your most recent prescription.
For the trial, I would use the sticky notes that are also designed to stick temporarily. If it releases from paper ....

mtjade2007 · Oct 17, 2021

MattKing said:
Try it on an old pair of glasses - not your most recent prescription.
For the trial, I would use the sticky notes that are also designed to stick temporarily. If it releases from paper ....

Thank you Matt. Yes, it is so easy to try on a 1$ pair of reading glasses. I have not tried sticky note. But I stick those note paper on my monitor all the time and they never leave anything on the screen. So it could probably work very well too. For those never tried it please keep an open mind on a new idea. Don't jump into a conclusion without trying it that almost costs nothing.

mtjade2007 · Oct 17, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
Why spend more for eye glass lenses? But even buying that way does not make the lenses all the inexpensive. If I were you, suggest testing the tape on the car windshield in a corner.

benjiboy said:
I find the biggest factor in getting lenses clean is using a decent quality lens cleaning fluid , but most importantly lens cleaning tissues that you change often ( not the end of your tie , or t shirt)

The Isopropryl Alcohol commonly available in drug stores is probably not 100% pure. It is probably why it leaves cleaning marks or the lens. Probably should use 100% pure Alcohol.

Pieter12 · Oct 17, 2021

mtjade2007 said:
Thank you Matt. Yes, it is so easy to try on a 1$ pair of reading glasses. I have not tried sticky note. But I stick those note paper on my monitor all the time and they never leave anything on the screen. So it could probably work very well too. For those never tried it please keep an open mind on a new idea. Don't jump into a conclusion without trying it that almost costs nothing.

It might work, but you have no idea if there are long-term consequences due to the chemical interactions between the adhesive and the lens coating. I would also be concerned that trace adhesive would cling to the coating or glass surface, holding dust and particles thus adding an abrasive agent to whatever you'd need to clean it off.

Nicholas Lindan · Oct 17, 2021

Another vote for Windex and Kimwipes.

Windex is contraindicated in very early (1940's) soft coated lenses - though the chances are that by this time any soft coating would be long gone.

Pieter12 · Oct 17, 2021

My camera tech recommends a bulb blower, a little breath and a Zeiss microfiber cloth.

Donald Qualls · Oct 18, 2021

mtjade2007 said:
Costco eye glasses are reported to be the cheapest in the market

Not by me. I've bought my last two pairs (covers six years) from Zenni Optical, an online-only vendor. Last time I got two pairs of metal frames and two pairs of lenses, one single vision and one bifocal, scratch/UV/antireflection coating (not even an option -- can't order them without) and prescription above -6.5 with cylinder, high index plastic, for about $75 plus (very reasonable) shipping, and had the glasses in hand in just over a week. The only thing I lose vs. going to Costco is that I have to measure my own interpupillary distance, as my eye doctor (like most) won't put that on the prescription (it's the last thing they're legally allowed to do to try to get you to buy overpriced eyewear from their in-house optician). Costco does that for you. Zenni (taking your order online) can't, but it's easy to do, takes about two minutes in front of a mirror with a millimeter scale.

RalphLambrecht · Oct 18, 2021

mtjade2007 said:
The Isopropryl Alcohol commonly available in drug stores is probably not 100% pure. It is probably why it leaves cleaning marks or the lens. Probably should use 100% pure Alcohol.

what I get locally is labeled and sold as 99%. I assume this is the purest one can get.

RalphLambrecht · Oct 18, 2021

Donald Qualls said:
Then don't show the last photo.

Remember the number one rule of cleaning optics: Don't.

If you really can't stand how dirty your lens is, Don't.

If it's causing flare or unsharpness, maybe...

I'll stick to my method:
Every New Lens Is immediately filled it with a UV filter which never comes off. This eliminates the need for ever having to clean the lens.

Pieter12 · Oct 18, 2021

Donald Qualls said:
Not by me. I've bought my last two pairs (covers six years) from Zenni Optical, an online-only vendor. Last time I got two pairs of metal frames and two pairs of lenses, one single vision and one bifocal, scratch/UV/antireflection coating (not even an option -- can't order them without) and prescription above -6.5 with cylinder, high index plastic, for about $75 plus (very reasonable) shipping, and had the glasses in hand in just over a week. The only thing I lose vs. going to Costco is that I have to measure my own interpupillary distance, as my eye doctor (like most) won't put that on the prescription (it's the last thing they're legally allowed to do to try to get you to buy overpriced eyewear from their in-house optician). Costco does that for you. Zenni (taking your order online) can't, but it's easy to do, takes about two minutes in front of a mirror with a millimeter scale.

If you have bought glasses from Costco, the interpupillary distance should be on your receipt.

Donald Qualls · Oct 18, 2021

Pieter12 said:
If you have bought glasses from Costco, the interpupillary distance should be on your receipt.

Unfortunately, I didn't keep the receipt for four years until I needed new glasses again...

Sirius Glass · Oct 18, 2021

Donald Qualls said:
Not by me. I've bought my last two pairs (covers six years) from Zenni Optical, an online-only vendor. Last time I got two pairs of metal frames and two pairs of lenses, one single vision and one bifocal, scratch/UV/antireflection coating (not even an option -- can't order them without) and prescription above -6.5 with cylinder, high index plastic, for about $75 plus (very reasonable) shipping, and had the glasses in hand in just over a week. The only thing I lose vs. going to Costco is that I have to measure my own interpupillary distance, as my eye doctor (like most) won't put that on the prescription (it's the last thing they're legally allowed to do to try to get you to buy overpriced eyewear from their in-house optician). Costco does that for you. Zenni (taking your order online) can't, but it's easy to do, takes about two minutes in front of a mirror with a millimeter scale.

Thank you! I will have to keep that in mind next time I need eye glasses or contact lenses.

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