400mm 2.8 Cleaning help !

Went out the beach with my new 400/2.8. there was a pretty strong onshore wind at the time and, comsequently my brand new baby has salt water spots on the front of the lens.

considering the bank manager is still after my blood considering the amount of cash spent on this leviathon, i need some tips from the pros on cleaning it. i would dread to aatenpt anything at this stage unless i am absolutley sure of the consequenses.

thanks in advance

Rallyworx.

Why in the World would you buy a brand new lens, then take it to the beach and then have salt water het on the fron element...Thats $6,000! j/k

Don't wipe the salt deposits off dry - you will probably do a good job of scratching the lens or the coating if you do. Salt crystals are hard and sharp.

Use a wetted lens tissue (wet it with water) to re-dissolve the salt rather than wipe it off dry. Don't use too much water, just enough to dissolve the salt spots - one spot at a time if you need to control things better. When that's done, use a conventional lens cleaner and lens tissue to finish the cleaning job.

Keep them paws calms now, your only cleaning $6,000 worth of glass lol

ACDCROCKS wrote:
Why in the World would you buy a brand new lens, then take it to the beach and then have salt water het on the fron element...Thats $6,000! j/k

Lenses and cameras are meant to be used, not sat in their boxes ready for e-Bay. The big Canon primes in particular are meant to stand these type of conditons, they even have a front glass to give protection.

Clean with a warm damp microfibre cloth, after first using a blower to get rid of any loose particles. Let it dry for a minute and then breathe on the glass and clean with a dry microfibre cloth. Forget fluids for cleaning, they all leave some form of smearing.

I suggest using the damp cloth to wipe down the body as well.

ACDCROCKS wrote:
Why in the World would you buy a brand new lens, then take it to the beach and then have salt water het on the fron element...Thats $6,000! j/k

Why wouldn't you? This stuff was meant to be used.

As has already been said, any good quality lens cleaning solution, and lint-free paper. The secret is to get it off right away and don't let it sit for any period of time.

[EDIT]

Foggy breath works well, too. I've done it more times than I care to admit.