Water mist left spots on lens. What is the correct way to clean it?

I noticed as I was shooting today that there are some light spots or smudges from the water mist coming from a fountain. I just got my lens and want to make sure I only clean it the correct way. Do I use a Micro Fibre cleaning cloth? Do I need to get a solution or cleaning kit? I keep hearing about a lens pen. Is that what I would use?

I use the cloth. If that doesn't do it completely, I use the solution I got from Costco. Also, the Zeiss disposable clothes (you know the ones that are like a toilette) are fine. Just don't rub too hard. There is coating on the lenses you don't want to rub off.

I'd use either a lenspen or some pec-pads and ROR (residual oil remover). Microfiber cloths eventually get particles stuck in them and can scratch your lens. I usually clean with ROR and pec pad, then do final cleaning with a lenspen.

SuzyView wrote in post #2158222
I use the cloth. If that doesn't do it completely, I use the solution I got from Costco. Also, the Zeiss disposable clothes (you know the ones that are like a toilette) are fine. Just don't rub too hard. There is coating on the lenses you don't want to rub off.

What is the solution you use? Is it a lens cleaning solution?

If he needs to clean it now, though, he may not have a lenspen. I keep one in my main bag, but if I don't have it, I just use the cloth. I have that in my glasses case. And it's true, don't use any old cloth. I have one cloth I keep in a baggy just for the lenses.

I actually don't "spray" the lens. I spray a little glasses cleaning solution on the cloth itself, then I clean the lens. I treat my lenses like treasures, so if they have fingerprints or water spots on them, I'm very careful. But I'm not scared to do the cleaning, even the sensors inside the 20D. Just be gentle. I'm already cringing.

All I have is the cloth but I will go out and get what I need. I used a brand new MF cloth and only rubbed a little but that is not removing the smudge. If I go out to a camera shop this afternoon I will get what I need but I want to get the right thing and something I can have with me in my kit.

That's actually a good plan. Bring your camera and lens with you. The salespeople should be able to help. If not, just ask for a lenspen.

Breath on the lens from below so that you do not blow spittle onto the glass. Wipe with a _CLEAN_ lens tissue, micro-fibre cloth, silk hankerchief or soft piece of cotton.

If breath does not do the trick, use a camera lens cleaning solution sparingly and wipe dry with one of the above _CLEAN_ wipers.

A LensPen works well also but I prefer to use it to remove oil smears and not dried water spots with possible mineral salt deposits which could scratch the lens coating.

Use blower first. Put a mint in your mouth (to make sure your breath is fresh) then create a little fog on the lens with your breath. Then wipe with microfiber. For stubborn stuff use a lens tissue with fluid... then microfiber... then brush... then blower...

a couple drops of eclipse on a pec pad does it for me.

Thank you everyone. I ended up taking a brand new MF cloth and turning the lens upside down above me, then letting a little breath fog the lens and wiped the spots clean. I did that twice and all is well. That MF cloth is now designated the lens cloth and is in a bag that seals.

I always know I can count on the people here with good solutions and tips.

I use a lens pen for small spots, if it's really mucky I actually take the filter off, and wash it under a running luke warm tap with ordinary dishwashing liquid, then rinse well, and do a final rinse with distilled water, just like in HS chemistry, so there are no more water spots. Don't rub hard though, and also don't try this with a CP

I started doing that after spending DAYS trying to get rid of every little smudge with cleaning fluid and lens tissues. This is also why I always use a UV filter - the thought of holding my precious L's under a running tap makes me feel ill...

steved110 wrote in post #2158708
I use a lens pen for small spots, if it's really mucky I actually take the filter off, and wash it under a running luke warm tap with ordinary dishwashing liquid, then rinse well, and do a final rinse with distilled water, just like in HS chemistry, so there are no more water spots. Don't rub hard though, and also don't try this with a CP

So how do you clean a CP?

I just buy the Zeiss lens cloths from the local vision center. They work very well and are great to tuck in a bag or pocket for quick clean ups.