Comments on: The Lensrentals Lens Cleaning Methods

By: Marco Debiasi

Marco Debiasi — Fri, 31 May 2013 07:25:08 +0000

Roger, only recently I read this article and I have a question. You explain that, after using the lens pen, one should go back to blowing and brushing to remove the cleaning dust that may have been left on the lens surface. But then, I wonder if blowing such extremely fine dust can push some of it inside the lens. In your answer above to Lee Saxon on May 16, 2011 you explain that “many lenses have open areas under the plastic seal around the edge of the lens and dust can get in that way”. Can you suggest any other safe way to remove the lens-pen dust?

By: Q Madp

Q Madp — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:52:10 +0000

I get conflicting info… Is using isopropil alcohol good or bad for lenses and what about filters?

By: Roger Cicala

Roger Cicala — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:02:08 +0000

Hi Sara,

Other than blowing dust off the mirror, we leave them alone. They’re easy to scratch and easy to bend – and a bent mirror can make focusing a real issue.
Roger

By: Sara

Sara — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:59:16 +0000

Hi, Thank you for the help this article provides with cleaning the camera and lens. I had a question, and at the risk of sounding like an idiot (have a Nikon FM10 which has been in hibernation in the attic which I got down yesterday), the mirror when you remove the lens seems to be stained as well as when I look through the lens when removed, it seems dusty. What is the best way to clean the mirror easily (the manual says use absolute alcohol to clean glass surfaces – don’t know where I could find some). Could you please advise on what I could do? Also I live i France and am not sure of the equivalent of the cleaning products mentioned – sorry.

Thanks for your help.

By: Roger Cicala

Roger Cicala — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 20:46:10 +0000

Tom, all of those solutions work just fine. I usually follow the Zeiss premoistened with a Kim wipe these days. Love those things. Cheap and laboratory grade.

By: Roger Cicala

Roger Cicala — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 20:45:53 +0000

Tom, all of those solutions work just fine. I usually follow the Zeiss premoistened with a Kim whip these days. Love those things. Cheap and laboratory grade.

By: tom graham

tom graham — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 17:56:38 +0000

Great article Roger, thanks. I have referred many discussions about lens cleaning to it here.

Like Jason, I also see a film left by Zeiss pre-moistened packet cloths. Any concerns about that? An out of-the-package lens tissue (now sold by Tiffen, not Kodak) to “mop” up that moistness works good. So does the distilled water, isopropyl alcohol, drop of Dawn solution. (Used by telescope folks).
Tom

By: Jason J

Jason J — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:12:17 +0000

I use the Zeiss pre-moistened cloths but they see to be too wet. They leave a streaky residue. Have you had this problem? Seems I need to wait for them to dry out some or use a microfiber to finish up with before it dries.

By: Ed M.

Ed M. — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:26:37 +0000

Nice writeup. I was an optical instrument/submarine periscope repairman in the Navy for 22 years…..I’ve cleaned my share of lenses. I’m also an amateur astronomer and clean my telescopes. I’ve made and used collodion. I can understand your reservations about posting this, I no longer get involved in forum discussions regarding lens cleaning. My weapons of choice include Purasol, ROR (which I REALLY like for fingerprints), a few drops of Dawn in a cup of water (again, for fingerprints), acetone to clean off the film left by Purasol, ROR and Dawn. It is of course not how I clean sensors, though.

By: Zygmo

Zygmo — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 18:24:18 +0000

Hey…you think camera guys are picky about cleaning glass…try owning some telescopes!!

However…I read a funny story recently. It is said by the astronomers who use the largest (usable) refractor lens telescope in the world; the Yerkes 40″, is cleaned by throwing a bucket of soapy water on it, and scrubbing with a brush!! Then another bucket of water to rinse. Sends chills down my spine!