Best way to clean lenses?

I really thought there would be a sticky on this. I did some searching and as it turns out "clean lenses" and such return lots of results but none for what I was looking for.

I'm sure this has been asked before.

So far I haven't needed to clean my lenses, aside from the giotto's large blower I have to blow away some dust.

Lenspen? Cloth? Wipes?

I'm headed to Florida and Disney and I'm sure I'll wind up needing to actually clean a lens or two at some point.

Thanks!

I usually hit it with a rocketblower and if need be, a clean microfiber and moist breath before-hand.

I have a rocket blower to clear away most of the debris. If there is anything left after that I use lens cleaning tissues (Kimberly Clark) with a squirt or two of lens cleaning solution (Edmond Optical).

I used to use microfiber cloths. Not so much anymore. If I head out for a shoot I will throw one of those in my bag.

Last year on my trip to the Galapagos I found that paper napkins and moist breath was the best. Using a fresh napkin did a better job than my microfibre cloths and small solution of lens cleaner (not from Edmond Optical). That combination only smeared the lens up worse.

Best bet is to just shoot. A little dirt won't affect any pictures. Do your cleaning once you get back to the hotel. Unless you got the lens really dirty somehow.

A lens pen is also a good idea. Just make suer you brush any loose dirt off first. Otherwise you might be scratching the lens as you grind the dirt all over the lens with the polishing end.

I like lens pens for the brush part only, Ive never enjoyed using the carbon tipped end much. I just use a microfibre and some breath, also I use a rocket blower.

I really like the Hoodman Lens Cleanse wet/dry wipes.

https://photography-on-the.net …hp?p=15007898&p​ostcount=3

Rinse under the tap and blow-dry.

Or not.

Basically, you got it, blow of any large bits that might scratch the lens and wipe with something soft. Everything else is basically personal preference. Some people like one-off wipes, some like microfiber cloths (I treasure ones I like, that don't smudge and pick up grease, and wash and use them until they are rags), others swear by lenspens.

If you need something to get off a smudge, many people use special solutions (e.g. eclipse), others water or spit. Personally I find water easier to deal with than eclipse although I certainly use eclipse on my sensor. And of course always apply to the wipe/cloth rather than the lens.

In any case there is no 'one answer' so I'd try a few things and see what works best for you. The link above is a perfectly good way if you're that way inclined, personally I can't be that careful, especially in the field.

Check this site but you need a password which is free.

http://www.learningdsl​rvideo.com/how-to-clean-camera-lenses/

I use a filter so I really don't care if I use my shirt or lenspen but I always do these steps for the best results:

Isopropyl solution on lintless cloth -> wipe cloth on lens in circular manner -> wipe until the solution starts to dry -> after drying remove remaining debris with lenspen

If you have internal dust then you should just send it to Canon.

Rocket blower for dust. Grain based vodka and peckpads for smudges.

96% alcohol for fingerprints and raindrop spots.

clean dry cotton cloth. Blow off the chunks and use a breath and wipe for everything else.

Lenspens will inevitably scratch the lens once the pen gets a piece of dirt stuck on the felt. Alcohol is a strong solvent and while i've not had any problems with it, i'm very wary to use a solvent.

I use pec pads and eclipse cleaner.

Thank you everyone, I appreciate the responses!

SiaoP wrote in post #15198573
I use a filter so I really don't care if I use my shirt or lenspen

I've been debating using a filter for protection but I don't want to lose image quality.

Lens Pen
http://www.amazon.com …tem-Version/dp/B000KO0GY6