Got salt water residue on 55mm D. Rebel kit lens

[JasonMX]

I was just taking pictures of the ocean and got small specks of white salt water residue on my lens. I tried using my microfilm cloth (VERY lightly with no pressure) to wipe them off but they are stuck.

I would like to get these off so they don't effect pictures. I was thinking of taking it to Ritz camera tommorow to see if they can help. Does anyone have any ideas or tips? I want to make sure they lense does not scratch.

Someone suggested using alchohol or lens cleaner with a microfiber cloth. Also, does this happen alot to people? How can I avoid this in the future. Is it alright to wait until tommorow to remove these?

I am getting nervous as you can tell. I am a beginner and on vacation right now on Cape Cod an want to take pictures the rest of the week.

[Tdragone]

If it's just salt; there should be no problem.


Just breathe on it and wipe with a microfiber cloth. As the owner of 3 saltwater aquariums I have a lot of salt creep on glass. the salt crystals readily absorb moisture; so once damp they will come off with almost no effort.

-Tom D.

[DocFrankenstein]

The salt MAY damage the coating.

It was silly of you to wipe it off with a dry cloth. Salt is a crystal and can be quite hard. So what you did is rubbed around a few thousands of little crystals on the surface of the front element.

I'd just take a cotton cloth soaked with ample amount of water and without pressure just rub on the crystals until they dissolve. Then take another part of the cloth and go over it again. Then take a microfiber cloth and lens cleaner and give it another go just in case.

And don't stress yourself about it. It's a cheap lens and it won't be damaged... even if it does, it's just equipment and the pictures are worth it.

Cheers

[GenEOS]

Take a deep breath, use lens cleaner solution and cloth till it comes off. I have literally scrubbed on the front element of my 70-200 with cleaning solution and micro cloth without damaging it. I had a stubborn stain that I thought was a chip in the glass. It came off, with no damage to the lens.

[DocFrankenstein]

You mean no VISIBLE damage? ;)

[defordphoto]

Moral of story: Whenever shooting near the coast, use a UV filter. When I get home, I pull off the UV, wash well with clean water and a teensy bit of dish soap. Dry well with compressed air and lint-free cloth. Wipe outsides of of all lenses and cameras three-times-over with a slightly damp (not even close to being wet) cloth.

Salt is the absolute worst enemy of any camera equipment.

[Olegis]

Moral of story: Whenever shooting near the coast, use a UV filter.

Small correction - ALWAYS use a protective filter in front of your lens ! Filters are cheap, lenses are expensive !

[defordphoto]

Small correction - ALWAYS use a protective filter in front of your lens ! Filters are cheap, lenses are expensive !

I do. But some people do not, and I didn't want another goofy filter argument to start ;)

[JasonMX]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I am getting a UV and polarized filter now. I cleaned the lens with lens cleaner/micro towel and it worked fine.