Lens cleaning tips and tricks

[napolar]

As everyone in this forum is always giving out great advise. I would like to know what tips and techniques y'all use when cleaning your lens'. Also, does anyone have any good ideas on how to get UV filter that has been on my 28 - 70 for years off? It is time I cleaned underneath it but I cannot get the darn thing off of the lens.

[pradeep1]

Use a lenspen to clean your filter, lens front element.

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=90102400&SearchEngine=PriceGrabber&SearchTerm=90102400&Type=PE&Category=Elec&dcaid=15890

To get your front element off, put the camera in manual focus. Carefully grip the camera body closest to the front of the lens. Use a rubber jar opener to take off the filter. The critical thing is to not stress the lens gears and motor assembly, so you need to hold it so close to the front that nothing turns internally in the lens. That should do it. I'd avoid using any WD-40 or any chemicals on the lens.

[the7ferret]

might want to set it out in the sun for a while and let the metal heat up so it expands. Might be little easier to remove the filter then.

[JBillings]

I found a better price on the Lenspen. And probably more convenient at Radio Shack

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=16-3688#

[napolar]

Thanks to all, I have a Radio Shack on my way home, just might have to stop by and see if they have one in stock. I'll let you know if the Sun idea works, if it ever comes out again ;)