lens cleaning

What is the recommended fluid to use to clean lenses? My 17-55 f/2.8 IS is a dust magnet as well as seems to get spots on the front very often. I don't know what causes it, but it is always dirty. My 70-200 never has these problems but I'm constantly having to clean the front of the 17-55.

Are you spraying the lens with dust attractant?!

If the lens does not have a greasy fingerprint, I advocate only a huff of breath followed by a wipe with Kodak lens tissue or a microfiber cloth. (Do NOT use eye glass tissues, even those made by Zeiss!) A microfiber cloth gets even greasy finger prints off, while an ordinary lens tissue might only smear it around.

Some advocate the Lenspen, which is a dry agent and leaves specs of carbon that then need to be blown off...what's the point of that?!

When you have to use liquid I advocate the use of Kodak Lens Cleaning Fluid or ROR (Residual Oil Remover).

I just cleaned my 17-55mm lens for the first time in a year. It is like 'Spring cleaning' for me.

(And I used it as an opportunity to re-evaluate the complaints about cleaning Hoya filters, too...cleaning the filter was no more work than simply cleaning the Canon lens or a B+W filter, so I don't understand why all the complaints in this area about Hoya cleaning. If Hoya came out with the HD, there must be some improvement but I don't see the non-HD as having a cleaining issue!)

Wilt wrote in post #8747233
Are you spraying the lens with dust attractant?!

If the lens does not have a greasy fingerprint, I advocate only a huff of breath followed by a wipe with Kodak lens tissue or a microfiber cloth. (Do NOT use eye glass tissues, even those made by Zeiss!) A microfiber cloth gets even greasy finger prints off, while an ordinary lens tissue might only smear it around.

Some advocate the Lenspen, which is a dry agent and leaves specs of carbon that then need to be blown off...what's the point of that?!

When you have to use liquid I advocate the use of Kodak Lens Cleaning Fluid or ROR (Residual Oil Remover).

It sure seems like it.

I use a cloth, ProMaster or something it was a $5 long life lens cloth. I have a lens pen, but I wasn't so impressed with it. I found it much easier to use a cloth.

Is there a brand for ROR? Is there any benefit to either one over the other.

Saxi wrote in post #8747243
It sure seems like it.

I use a cloth, ProMaster or something it was a $5 long life lens cloth. I have a lens pen, but I wasn't so impressed with it. I found it much easier to use a cloth.

Is there a brand for ROR? Is there any benefit to either one over the other.

'ROR' is the brand. Google it.

I presume your Promaster is microfiber...be sure to regularly launder it.

i use microtek cleaning fiber cloth to clean my lenses and i use a lens cleaning agent that i bought from my local camera shop and it says on the back of the bottle "anti fog" so far so good with me.

Wilt.....Why do you not recommend using the Zeiss lens cleaning cloths?

snatiep wrote in post #8747771
Wilt.....Why do you not recommend using the Zeiss lens cleaning cloths?

Because a person on POTN complained about buying a box of those and having signficant residue left visible on the coatings of the lens.

Examples of the diss'ing http://healthybubble.c​om …ZU/CustomerRevi​ews/page:1
"I bought these despite some of the negative reviews here due to streaking. I can confirm this. I bought these primarily for my glasses as well as camera lenses and they do not deliver. Every cleaning leaves streaks on my glasses. I used one on my Wide Angle lens which is three hundred dollars and not only did it leave streaks, but a strange film as well. It took me nearly 5 minutes with a number of lens cleaning tissue and solution just to get my lens clean and it usually only takes me 40 seconds. Do not buy. "

I've used the Zeiss pre-moistened for close to ten years and have never had a problem. Always keep some in my bags. I buy them at Wal-Mart a pack of 50 for $3 or so. I also use microfiber cloths, a blower and my breath. I have a lens pen but I don't think I ever bothered to use it.

Sorry to resurrect, but I have recently used Zeiss wipes (Sam's Club), and the key is to open the package, unfold the towel, wait 20-30 seconds to allow the towel to dry a bit, then use. Perfect results if you follow this. The are just too wet directly out of the package.

When I have time, I'll sit and ball up a Tiffen filter paper and moisten with two drops of lens cleaner from B&H or www.2filter.com, then wipe with a new clean filter paper. In the field I use the microfiber cloths sold by 2 filter.

I ended up getting some 1000 grit sand paper, it seems to work really well.

I find a good quality grain based vodka works well. An if the lens doesn't come clean you can always have a cocktail.

I cut up micro fiber and use once .
I use Kodak lens paper once - get it off ebay cheap .
If you wash , you can pick up anything in washer .
The last thing you washed could have had a softener or static thing in it . Your cloth can be static-ly charged causing it to attract dust .

I just think Lens Pen is the easiest way to clean a lens. I got a few months back, it works very well for me.

nhglamour wrote in post #11628138
I just think Lens Pen is the easiest way to clean a lens. I got a few months back, it works very well for me.

That's what I've been using for a bit now. The 17-55 is just a dust magnet though, and it is mostly behind the first glass.