Cleaning L Glass

Got my first L series lens and was just curious if anyone has used Micro-Fiber cleaning cloth on it? Canon says its ok but im still nervous as all get out. I also dont want to use a UV filter because of all the stories of it degrading the image quality of the L lens (why spend the cash on the glass if yer gonna put cheap glass in front of it).

Thanks

The micro-fibre cloths are fine.
Reconsider about the filter though - cheaper to replace a filter than get a front element replaced by Canon!
Unless of course you cossett your equipment and never take it out unless the sun is shining and there is nothing flying about.
Also the filter means that you don't have to clean the front element anyway.
Canon recommend using a filter on the front of the 16-35/2.8L and 17-40/4L to ensure that the front of the lens is sealed correctly against dust and moisture.
A GOOD filter shouldn't degrade a lens - unless we are talking 300/2.8L and upward - when the front element is effectively a protective filter anyway and there MUST be a filter or clear glass in the drop-in holder at the rear of the lens as it is part of the optics.

I'll just have to say: Be carefull! I'm very fresh in this game, and I scratched my 50mm f/1.4 with micro-fiber cloth. I realize I was a ***** fool trying to do this without resarching on how to do this properly, but here's the story anyway.

I got something on the glass I suspected was quite a nasty scratch. I tried to clean it with a cloth, and some of it came off. Then I realized it was just "dirt". But it was stuck well, so I used quite som pressure on it when trying to get it off. The result.. Dirt is gone, but I have many tiny circular scratches in the lens. Fortunatly they don't show up in normal pictures. Only time I've seen the effect from it, was on this picture:

http://www.vvizard.net​/pics/vvizard/0007.png

It doesn't show up now, cause I've removed them in PS. But the scratches bounced the car-lights in different directions. This showed up in the exact same position on almost all the shots I took at that location (50 or so on a tripod). Here's a 100% crop of the image before post-processing, to show what it looked like:

http://www.vvizard.net​/pics/scratches.jpg

Ok, now it's your time to laugh at the idiot, who surely wasn't as ready for SLR-photography as he thought

any cleaning fluids for safely cleaning the glass? The thought of a dry cloth (even microfiber) is scary.
I just slapped a filter to the front and dont even look att eh lens anymore. I don't want to be tempted to "clean" anything LOL

If there is gunk on the lens, I generally just lick it off. Okay, in reality, I use Kodak Lens Cleaner (CAT 176 7136) if there is serious dirt on the lens after using a blower brush. If it is very stubborn, I'll put a drop right on the dirt and let it soak through, but normally I put the cleaner on a polish cloth or lens paper patch...


I only use the above method if the lens been splashed in some way where there is serious sticky gunk.

For normal cleaning I use a Lens Pen. I find them to be very useful. One end is a brush, the other is a microfiber cleaning pad with an embedded dry cleaning solution that replenishes itself when you replace the cap.

Several manufacturers make them. Here are a few.

Nikon:
http://www.amazon.com …in-20/002-8006849-5242438

Lens Pen:
http://www.lenspen.com

Leupold:
http://www.thesportsau​thority.com …ndex.jsp?produc​tId=852308


The microfiber is safe. The way a lens gets scratched while cleaning is when you actually rub the tiny dirt particles around on the lens. A polish cloth, lens paper, or microfiber surface cleaner will not scratch the lens unless there are small particles on it so if there is some serious dirt on the lens, use lens paper patches and change very often. Once the "chunks" are safely removed, use a dry patch to remove the residue from the lens cleaning solution and then once it is dry, switch to the lens pen to remove any remaining streaking.

Or, use my patented licking method.

Do you mean the 'L' lenses aren't dishwasher proof ?
I thought that was their 'special sealing'.

Andy,
Disappointed

Thanks for the advice... maybe I'll consider a filter. Any recommendations?

MediaMagic wrote:
Or, use my patented licking method.

Well... the "L" really means "lick-to-clean" anyway.

But, seriously, out in the field that would be better than rubbing dry dirt into the glass.

Put a decent quality filter like a Hoya. They are not expensive and do not degrade the image. Popular or Modern Photography did an article on this topic many years ago and concluded that there was no degradation of the image from medium priced or expensive filters. I don't think even cheaper filters had an effect but I can't remember all the details. Don't take a chance....get a filter!!!! If you clean a filter and scratch it, it isn't a disaster like it would be on your L lens. good luck..Brian

I agree wholeheartedly WestFalcon. I use top-of-the-line UV's on ALL my lenses.

I use a lens pen for cleaning all my lenses including my 100-400L. I doubt there is an easier or more effective way to clean lenses. One end of the pen has a brush and the other has a very soft chamois tip you polish the glass with. I've been using this method for over two years.

Both Kodak and Nikon market lens pens.. Here's a couple of links that show what they look like.

http://www.kodak.com …-path=270&pq-locale=en_US
http://www.opticsplane​t.net …-pen-cleaning-system.html

They're cheap and you can get them at pretty well any large photo shop.

I also use a Canon clear UV filters on all my lenses. I can't see any difference in picture quality with or without them.. But.. You have to watch. In some circumstances you can wind up with reflections and glare.

I don't use a filter on all the lenses but when I do, I get a decent filter instead of the bargain brand. Spend a few extra bucks for a B+W.

When I clean the glass I go the old fashioned way with the throw away Kodak tissues and good lens fluid. Blow off the lens first, then moisten the tissue with fluid, steam the lens with your breath and clean in small circular motions without pushing too hard. Take another dry tissue and breathe on the lens again and to remove any excess fluid. Be careful not to get your fingers on the lens during the cleaning process. Then blow it with compressed air a final time to remove any stray fibers.

I use scotch tape! No I am not joking. Take a new good quality regular scotch tape like 3M scotch tape, cut a strip and stick it on the part of the element to clean, then simply peel it off. It will take off all the dust, dirt or oil without scratching the lens surface. Very effective. If you are not convinced, first test it on a UV filter. Be sure to use a new strip for each stick and peel.

Soumya

www.mitraphoto.com

While that may work I wouldn't try it on a several thousand dollar lens. And make sure that you you use Scotch® tape, other brands actually may leave a residue which wouldn't be pretty to leave on a lens.

Some good ideas... I might try the scotch tape.

Thanks again.