For SERIOUS L Collectors' Eyes Only !

This question is for L collectors of some stature, like Master Belmondo, AeroSmith, CoolToolGuy, Unstoppable F Jojo, BearSummer, SSIM, TomF...

What type (brand) of cleaning lenspens do you use on your precious lenses, and what is your experience (tips) with it ?

As usual, faithful to my fossil ways:o , I have been using Kodak paper + bottled lens cleaner all my life. Now, not only that I am getting a bit tired of it, but these days it is harder to travel with those sorts of liquids. Therefore I'd like to try something else that will give really good results and yet be practical and easily portable.

Naturally, even lesser L collectors/apprentices like Dante can share their experience with lenspens, should they have any, that is.

Ya, like us unserious collectors don't take care of our lenses like our expences don't mean anything to us ?? Well I'll have you know I have the best system going for dirty lenses...I take 3 parts acetone, 1part bleach, 1/2 part paint remover,a dab of axel grease to counter the effects of water, add this to a two quart cast iron pot and bring to a rolling boil...then add a cup of vinigar and just plop in the lens (or lenses if small)...boil for an hour and a half and air dry on the porch (dont forget to remove the end caps...) or tumble dry at permrnant press setting in a maytag dryer (don't forget to put them in a pillow case for the dryer)...there , now you tell me if you L snobs have a better style than this..and these ingredients are available in all foreign countries so transportation is not a problem!:p

I usually just take an electric buffer to mine...

cdi-ink.com wrote in post #2119060
I usually just take an electric buffer to mine...

Wow, I hadn't thought of that,, do you use some jewelers rouge in the glass with the buffer??

PEACHMAN wrote in post #2119073
Wow, I hadn't thought of that,, do you use some jewelers rouge in the glass with the buffer??

Dammit Peachy, why not tie your Sigma lenses (dust caps removed) to the rear bumper of your truck and give them a good grit scrubbin' by driving high speed on some county sideroads ?

PEACHMAN wrote in post #2119056
Ya, like us unserious collectors don't take care of our lenses like our expences don't mean anything to us ?? Well I'll have you know I have the best system going for dirty lenses...I take 3 parts acetone, 1part bleach, 1/2 part paint remover,a dab of axel grease to counter the effects of water, add this to a two quart cast iron pot and bring to a rolling boil...then add a cup of vinigar and just plop in the lens (or lenses if small)...boil for an hour and a half and air dry on the porch (dont forget to remove the end caps...) or tumble dry at permrnant press setting in a maytag dryer (don't forget to put them in a pillow case for the dryer)...there , now you tell me if you L snobs have a better style than this..and these ingredients are available in all foreign countries so transportation is not a problem!:p

This is the funniest thing I've read all day. And there are only 20 minutes left in my day!

Petkal wrote in post #2119082
Dammit Peachy, why not tie your Sigma lenses (dust caps removed) to the rear bumper of your truck and give them a good grit scrubbin' by driving high speed on some county sideroads ?

Ha...you are more worldly than I thought...that is how we clean the rust off mooring chains...I'll remember that trick when the paint has chipped off my Sigma to a point that complete refinishing is necessary...However I will have to spray some insect repelent into the end opening so bugs don't get in and procreate while going down the woods roads...

I bought a ?opteka? lens pen from London Drgus. Generic looking packaging actually. It cleaned my lenses fine but the cleaner tip lasted for about 6 cleans then pulled off. Garbage.

But cleaned the lenses just fine. Just as good as my trusy kimwipes and blower.

Wire brush, not an electric one (too harsh on the glass).

Dropping the lens into a bucket of maggots has always worked for me. Just leave the end cap on to prevent them entering the innards.

PEACHMAN wrote in post #2119056
Ya, like us unserious collectors don't take care of our lenses like our expences don't mean anything to us ?? Well I'll have you know I have the best system going for dirty lenses...I take 3 parts acetone, 1part bleach, 1/2 part paint remover,a dab of axel grease to counter the effects of water, add this to a two quart cast iron pot and bring to a rolling boil...then add a cup of vinigar and just plop in the lens (or lenses if small)...boil for an hour and a half and air dry on the porch (dont forget to remove the end caps...) or tumble dry at permrnant press setting in a maytag dryer (don't forget to put them in a pillow case for the dryer)...there , now you tell me if you L snobs have a better style than this..and these ingredients are available in all foreign countries so transportation is not a problem!:p

Aww man, you are hardworking... you really bother to go the extra mile, too much work for me though!

At the end of the day I just pitch the whole lot with the dirty clothes into the washing machine. One cup of detergent, press START, and leave!


When I'm feeling more forgiving, bad breath and microfiber cloth.

... cloth goes into the washing machine when dirty too.

becknell wrote in post #2119086
This is the funniest thing I've read all day. And there are only 20 minutes left in my day!

Hey Zachary..How's life in Japan...just when you thought wou were a world away from the action N korea gets into the act...take care of yourself...You have a great web page,,,keep that shutter clicking..

cosworth wrote in post #2119099
I bought a ?opteka? lens pen from London Drgus. Generic looking packaging actually. It cleaned my lenses fine but the cleaner tip lasted for about 6 cleans then pulled off. Garbage.

But cleaned the lenses just fine. Just as good as my trusy kimwipes and blower.

Thanx compadre. BTW, took a look at your site. Very fine images. Like your use of WA lenses for in-water people shots.

PEACHMAN wrote in post #2119073
Wow, I hadn't thought of that,, do you use some jewelers rouge in the glass with the buffer??

If by "jewelers rouge" you mean "turtle wax" then yes.

I don't clean my glass all that much, but when I do, they get a blow first (Canon rocket blower), then they get the Canon lens solution with lens tissues or microfiber, whichever is more accessible to me at the time. For travel, usually I take only a microfiber lens cloth. But I blow off as much as possible first and often don't do much beyond that. There you have it.