Cleaning the front element of a lens...

[LowSpark420]

How is this best done? My son lightly touched the front element of the lens (the glass or whatever you want to call it). I just didn't want to wipe it off with anything before asking thoughts...

[gjl711]

I just wipe it off with whats available. I usually carry a microfiber cloth and use that as it removes the oily smudges much better, but the corner of a tee shirt works well also. :)

[LowSpark420]

Cool!

I guess the front element (while still important to protect) does not require the same delicate touch that keeping the internal portion of the lens and camera body takes to keep a well functioning camera.

I have only had the camera about two months, so really been babying the thing quite a bit!

[gjl711]

If you want to be very safe and gentle, the micro fiber lens cloth is probably the best thing to use. Don't put lens fluid directly on the lens as it can seep into the cracks and get inside the lens. Best to moisten the cloth then clean.

[rral22]

Breathe on it and wipe it off with a soft cloth (have used my shirt many times). I try to carry a micro fiber cloth, but sometimes I have to use what is around. I try not to scrape sand and gravel on the lens elements, but any sensible method will not harm the front element of a lens.

Lenses are not as delicate as people seem to think. Ask anyone who has shot events for money, and you will learn that lenses and cameras are tough enough to handle "normal" usage and "common sense" cleaning without problems.

[DStanic]

I've used lens pen, mf cloth, t-shirt, tissue paper (just don't use the kind with moisturizer it in, it will smudge!). Once in a while I like to give them a good cleaning with lens fluid and the special tissue papers you can get at a camera shop.

As mentioned they are not as delicate as people seem to think, i've never scratched any of mine.

[SkipD]

A squeeze-bulb blower, quality lens tissue (such as that sold by Kodak and now Tiffen), a good lens cleaning fluid, and PROPER TECHNIQUE is the way that I have cleaned my lenses for decades.

What is "proper technique"?

First - the goal is to clean the lens (or filter - I would use the very same process) without grinding any dirt/debris into the lens. To me, this absolutely dictates single-use surfaces for anything that touches the lens. That's why I use lens tissues instead of a washable cloth or - particularly - something like a lens pen.

Here are the steps that I use to clean a lens:

1. Use a squeeze-bulb blower to blow any loose dust off the lens. 90% of the time, step 1 is all that is necessary.

2. Take a lens tissue out of the pack. Fold it once, holding only what was the ends of the tissue. You want to be extremely careful to NEVER TOUCH the areas of the lens tissue that will be touching the lens. This will avoid transferring oils from your fingers to the lens.

3. Moisten the folded portion of the lens tissue with a little lens cleaner. You don't want the tissue dripping wet, but it must be damp.

CAUTION: NEVER apply lens cleaner directly to the lens (though it won’t hurt a filter, you don’t want liquid leaking into the lens’ innards).

4. Wipe LIGHTLY across the lens ONCE with the damp tissue. Then either turn it over or fold it so that you can wipe again, but with an unused surface. You can do this as often as needed, as long as you never wipe the lens twice with any surface of the tissue. This prevents scratches. Again, make sure you never touch an area of the tissue that will touch the lens.

5. Ensuring that the lens is actually clean, use a dry tissue, handled the same way as above, to wipe the lens dry. Since you have already removed the dirt, there's no risk of scratching the lens with the dry tissue.

6. Dispose of the used lens tissues in a proper trash receptacle.

That's it in a nutshell. Simple and effective. I've been cleaning my lenses this way for over 40 years, and all of them have pristine glass (and none have ever worn "protective" filters).

[JAcosta]

A squeeze-bulb blower, quality lens tissue (such as that sold by Kodak and now Tiffen), a good lens cleaning fluid, and PROPER TECHNIQUE is the way that I have cleaned my lenses for decades.

What is "proper technique"?

First - the goal is to clean the lens (or filter - I would use the very same process) without grinding any dirt/debris into the lens. To me, this absolutely dictates single-use surfaces for anything that touches the lens. That's why I use lens tissues instead of a washable cloth or - particularly - something like a lens pen.

Here are the steps that I use to clean a lens:

1. Use a squeeze-bulb blower to blow any loose dust off the lens. 90% of the time, step 1 is all that is necessary.

2. Take a lens tissue out of the pack. Fold it once, holding only what was the ends of the tissue. You want to be extremely careful to NEVER TOUCH the areas of the lens tissue that will be touching the lens. This will avoid transferring oils from your fingers to the lens.

3. Moisten the folded portion of the lens tissue with a little lens cleaner. You don't want the tissue dripping wet, but it must be damp.

CAUTION: NEVER apply lens cleaner directly to the lens (though it won’t hurt a filter, you don’t want liquid leaking into the lens’ innards).

4. Wipe LIGHTLY across the lens ONCE with the damp tissue. Then either turn it over or fold it so that you can wipe again, but with an unused surface. You can do this as often as needed, as long as you never wipe the lens twice with any surface of the tissue. This prevents scratches. Again, make sure you never touch an area of the tissue that will touch the lens.

5. Ensuring that the lens is actually clean, use a dry tissue, handled the same way as above, to wipe the lens dry. Since you have already removed the dirt, there's no risk of scratching the lens with the dry tissue.

6. Dispose of the used lens tissues in a proper trash receptacle.

That's it in a nutshell. Simple and effective. I've been cleaning my lenses this way for over 40 years, and all of them have pristine glass (and none have ever worn "protective" filters).


Man. Sometimes I just blow the front off, apply some warm breath, and wipe with the underside of my t-shirt.

My glass is as pristine just as the day I bought it.

[aperturent]

I've tried pretty much all the systems out there, and I've found a lens cleaning pen and microfiber cloth will be your best choice for fingerprints. First you use the pen and finish it off with the cloth. For dust, those rocket air blowers work just fine.

For full cleaning, using a cleaning spray is good for the first pass, then use the cloth to finish it off.

[Slimsphotos]

As a glasses wearer, I always have half a dozen individual wrapped wet wipes,ones designed for glasses with no alcohol on them, so just use one of them, works a treat each time.

[gjl711]

As a glasses wearer, I always have half a dozen individual wrapped wet wipes,ones designed for glasses with no alcohol on them, so just use one of them, works a treat each time.
If there is no alcohol, whats on them. Alcohol, especially methanol, is a very effective and safe lens cleaner.

[RDKirk]

As a glasses wearer, I always have half a dozen individual wrapped wet wipes,ones designed for glasses with no alcohol on them, so just use one of them, works a treat each time.

Cleaning materials for eyeglasses often deposit (deliberately) chemicals that you don't want on a camera lens.

[S.n.a.f.u.]

i wouldnt worry to much this link will show you that it wont drastically effect the outcome of your pictures http://www.lensrentals.com/news/2008.10.30/front-element-scratches

[cnsconnor84]

Good call Snafu. After seeing those images I stopped worrying too much about scratches and stuff.

[S.n.a.f.u.]

i was really shocked when i saw the lens that took those pictures, but like you it put me at ease on the minor smudges or small scratches

[MG30D]

Cleaning materials for eyeglasses often deposit (deliberately) chemicals that you don't want on a camera lens.

Please explain, what cleaners. :confused:

Personally, I would say a t-shirt should be a last resort. I've never done it myself.

You have to first ask yourself why are you worried about what you wipe your lens with....because your afraid of damaging your lens, i.e. scratching it.

Therefore how to clean your lens becomes simple from their. Although I personally would not recommend it, as long as the t-shirt is clean of dirt and the lens does not have particles on it, it most likely wont scratch.

However, if I was at the beach, I would not wipe my lens with my t-shirt...why because I could have sand in my shirt and on the lens itself.:rolleyes: And, I would not be wiping the salt off the lens by just using a dry shirt.

That's why I prefer to first blow the lens with a squeeze bulb like this Rocket Air Blower (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/259157-REG/Giottos_AA1900_Rocket_Air_Blower_.html) and then wipe my lens with Zeiss pre-moistened lens clothes (http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=324674).

RDKirk, claims lens clothes are not good....I don't know why sense I've been using them forever and for goodness sake Zeiss makes camera lenses I can't afford: Zeiss lenses (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=search&A=search&Q=&ci=0&sb=bs%2Cupper%28ds%29&sq=asc&sortDrop=Brand%3A+A+to+Z&ac=&bsi=&bhs=t&ci=274&shs=&at=Brand_Zeiss&basicSubmit=Submit+Query) :shock:. Maybe he means cheap no name brand lens clothes. But, the Zeiss ones should be fine, they've worked for me. You can pick up the Zeiss lens clothes at your local sams club or walmart for cheap.

[cnsconnor84]

I also use the Zeiss lens wipes. They are made for glasses but say that you can use them for camera lenses on the box.

[number six]

I also use the Zeiss lens wipes. They are made for glasses but say that you can use them for camera lenses on the box.

Funny thing about those wipes:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=674471

[MG30D]

Funny thing about those wipes:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=674471

Interesting. I will admit the clothes can leave a slight multi-color spot/streak on areas where the lens was not completely dried, but it does not cover the whole lens like a film.

Furthermore my experience with using lens solutions and lens clothes has left more "streaking" than that of the zeiss clothes. And I never noticed any optical difference from the so called "film"...is it bad for the lens? I've read many people use these zeiss premoistened clothes here at POTN. They say thier safe for camera lenses.

I belieave this is why SkipD mentions using a dry tissue/microfiber cloth afterwards, that should get rid of the few streaks. It just dosen't bother me, it's so minimal and as long as you go around in a circle it will just be on the edge in one or two areas.


If someone knows that these zeiss lens wipes are not good to use, i.e. damage the lens, please PM me.


Also has anyone used these Zeiss clothes: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/551640-REG/Zeiss_1439271_Lens_Cleaning_Cloths_.html#features, are they any different.


Also, I don't use lens clothes very often (so they don't have to be that cheap) and I just recently got a scanner and I'm starting to upgrade to more expensive glass....so maybe I should start using these instead: E Wipe (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/127527-REG/). Has anyone used these?

[Slimsphotos]

I stand corrected, appears my lens wipes do contain some alcohol. Didn't quite read it correctly, plus it's in german and french, which I don't speak :-)
According to info, contains, aqua, alcohol dent and sodium laureth sulfate.

They do work a treat though.
Chris

[Depth]

I prefer sand paper.

[mchong75]

Would these be a good lens cleaning combo kit? (I already have the Giottos Large Rocket blower)

Nikon 7072 Lens Pen Cleaning System
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006JN3G/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

Zeiss Lens Cleaner, 3 oz Spray, Ammonia Free, Safe for Multi-Coated Lenses.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002E1RZQ/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A3SPLR0MSOYZ8O&v=glance

Tiffen non-abrasive lens cleaning paper
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000AQJ5Z/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A17MC6HOH9AVE6&v=glance

This will be my cleaning process.

Step 1: Use the Rocket blower to remove any particles form the glass.
Step 2: Use the lens pen to remove any particles that Rocket blower didn’t remove.
Step 3: Spray the Zeiss cleaner
Step 4: Use the Tiffen lens cleaning paper to clean the glass.

Anyone else have other products and/or cleaning process they recommend?

[SkipD]

This will be my cleaning process.

Step 1: Use the Rocket blower to remove any particles form the glass.
Step 2: Use the lens pen to remove any particles that Rocket blower didn’t remove.
Step 3: Spray the Zeiss cleaner
Step 4: Use the Tiffen lens cleaning paper to clean the glass.Forget step 2.

Add to step 3: Spray the Zeiss cleaner on to lens tissue. (DO NOT spray cleaner directly onto a lens.)

Look at the series of steps I wrote back in post #7 and understand the reason for the steps. The idea is to remove particles from a lens without scratching the lens and to totally prevent wiping anything with the particles embedded in the cleaning devise.

[DL.Photography]

I say you should GROUND HIM!

Anyway, just use some microfiber cloth or a lenspen

[mellofelow]

Good to know the front lens is not as delicate as we all worry about. Regardless, extra, extra care and precaution should be taken. Although may not affect the image, it sure will make a big difference on resale value. Having say that, isn't having a quality uv filter removes most of these concerns? I probably go through the procedure of cleaning the front lens element maybe once a year. However, the filters almost weekly and with whatever shirt I'm wearing.

[oic929]

I wouldn't worry too much about smudges on the front of my lens at all. If they get too much I just wipe them off with my t shirt of a piece of tissue.
You might find this article interesting

http://www.kurtmunger.com/dirty_lens_articleid35.html