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08/17/2008 11:30:58 AM · #1 |
Sorry if this has been posted before but 425 pages seemed a bit much to look through :D
Basically im looking for some household tips or tricks in cleaning ur lens... what type of material/ fluid/ techniques are useful? I have a cheap fisheye adapter (which does the job if you're just lookin to play around) and this thing is a magnet for dust, fibres, and anything else it want to hoover up.
Appreciate any feedback, cheers :)
Message edited by author 2008-08-17 11:31:44. |
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08/17/2008 11:36:01 AM · #2 |
water if something gets stuck on, my t-shirt for everything else. I have micro-fibre lens cloths, but my t-shirt is always handier. :)
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08/17/2008 11:39:19 AM · #3 |
any specific material? some tshirts have quite harsh fibres and can just rub off onto it.
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08/17/2008 12:57:57 PM · #4 |
I use a Nikon Lens pen(like $10). First brush the dust off, then I breath on the lense to fog it and then use the cleaner side of the pen to clean off the glass and polish it, sometimes if you have a fingerprint or something it takes a second shot.
I would NEVER EVER use a Tshirt to clean a lens the risk is VERY VERY high you will scratch the glass.
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08/17/2008 01:08:58 PM · #5 |
| If your lens (Nikon) pen is working correctly you shouldn't need or want to breathe on your lens. It uses a piece of micro-felt which picks up a coating of fine carbon dust from inside the cap, or from inside the pen tip. The powder absorbs oil readily leaving it dry enough to blow or brush off safely. |
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08/17/2008 01:37:08 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by jhomrighaus:
I use a Nikon Lens pen(like $10). First brush the dust off, then I breath on the lense to fog it and then use the cleaner side of the pen to clean off the glass and polish it, sometimes if you have a fingerprint or something it takes a second shot.
I would NEVER EVER use a Tshirt to clean a lens the risk is VERY VERY high you will scratch the glass. |
Do you realize just how hard it is to actually scratch the front element on a lens, especially a quality lens? These things arent as fragile as people tend to think. They are actually pretty hardy, and yeah I use my t-shirt once in a while as well.
Matt
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08/17/2008 01:41:38 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by MattO:
Originally posted by jhomrighaus:
I use a Nikon Lens pen(like $10). First brush the dust off, then I breath on the lense to fog it and then use the cleaner side of the pen to clean off the glass and polish it, sometimes if you have a fingerprint or something it takes a second shot.
I would NEVER EVER use a Tshirt to clean a lens the risk is VERY VERY high you will scratch the glass. |
Do you realize just how hard it is to actually scratch the front element on a lens, especially a quality lens? These things arent as fragile as people tend to think. They are actually pretty hardy, and yeah I use my t-shirt once in a while as well.
Matt |
I use a lot of older lenses(20 to 40 years old) and those are not as durable as the newer ones, I have also purchased more than a few that have received the Tshirt treatment and are scared for life. It is much less a concern about the fabric of the Tshirt and much more about what is on the T shirt as your tshirt is also a convenient place to wipe your hands(and the dirt attached to them) and the dirt and grit will do a number on your lense right quick. So to prevent the possibility of that happening, there are specific cloths or tools that touch only the glass on the lense and nothing else.
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08/17/2008 02:26:08 PM · #8 |
I'm wondering about those glass cleaner wipes that come from the packets. Most eyeware is now plastic, so they should be gentle enough for a lens, if they are gentle enough for glasses. However, 20 years ago the coating on lenses was a big concern as it was not as sturdy as coating on eyeware. The silicone in the old glass cleaners could do a number on a lens. Just wondering if the newer eyeware wipes are gentle enough for lenses.
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08/17/2008 06:47:10 PM · #9 |
| cheers for the feedback guys, but i wasn't really looking to invest in anything atm but use rather household items, the type of material you might find in your kitchen for eg. natural dust/dirt magnets :P |
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08/17/2008 10:28:14 PM · #10 |
I would call a lens pen at under $10 the best investment you could evere make in your life. its idiot proof and proven not to f up your lenses ever.
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08/17/2008 10:31:34 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by jhomrighaus:
I use a lot of older lenses(20 to 40 years old) and those are not as durable as the newer ones, I have also purchased more than a few that have received the Tshirt treatment and are scared for life. It is much less a concern about the fabric of the Tshirt and much more about what is on the T shirt as your tshirt is also a convenient place to wipe your hands(and the dirt attached to them) and the dirt and grit will do a number on your lense right quick. So to prevent the possibility of that happening, there are specific cloths or tools that touch only the glass on the lense and nothing else. |
I use many older lenses (circa 1960s and 70s) and I find the glass to be quite robust and sturdy...even to the t-shirt test... |
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08/17/2008 10:37:51 PM · #12 |
For those who afraid to scratch the lens....
I had a cracked filter and decided to do an experiment. I wanted to see what I have to do to leave a permanent scratch on it. At the end it took significant force of a sharp metal object to make a scratch in the glass.
Point is: be careful with your lens but don't go insane thinking that every little thing will make a scratch on the glass.
Just had to say it.
Message edited by author 2008-08-17 22:43:36. |
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08/18/2008 07:46:40 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by bassbone:
Originally posted by jhomrighaus:
I use a lot of older lenses(20 to 40 years old) and those are not as durable as the newer ones, I have also purchased more than a few that have received the Tshirt treatment and are scared for life. It is much less a concern about the fabric of the Tshirt and much more about what is on the T shirt as your tshirt is also a convenient place to wipe your hands(and the dirt attached to them) and the dirt and grit will do a number on your lense right quick. So to prevent the possibility of that happening, there are specific cloths or tools that touch only the glass on the lense and nothing else. |
I use many older lenses (circa 1960s and 70s) and I find the glass to be quite robust and sturdy...even to the t-shirt test... |
It is just wait till the day when there is something on your shirt that isn't compatible with the glass. But hey they are your lenses and your money, do whatever you want
Message edited by author 2008-08-18 07:46:50.
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08/18/2008 07:48:34 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by jhomrighaus:
Originally posted by bassbone:
Originally posted by jhomrighaus:
I use a lot of older lenses(20 to 40 years old) and those are not as durable as the newer ones, I have also purchased more than a few that have received the Tshirt treatment and are scared for life. It is much less a concern about the fabric of the Tshirt and much more about what is on the T shirt as your tshirt is also a convenient place to wipe your hands(and the dirt attached to them) and the dirt and grit will do a number on your lense right quick. So to prevent the possibility of that happening, there are specific cloths or tools that touch only the glass on the lense and nothing else. |
I use many older lenses (circa 1960s and 70s) and I find the glass to be quite robust and sturdy...even to the t-shirt test... |
It is just wait till the day when there is something on your shirt that isn't compatible with the glass. But hey they are your lenses and your money, do whatever you want |
30 years cleaning my lenses with my t-shirt and no problems yet..... |
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08/18/2008 08:01:04 AM · #15 |
For cleaning my lens I use a simple yellow household duster, they're cheap as chips and work wonders. They're such a soft material too so the risk of scratching is absolutely minimal.
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08/18/2008 08:47:11 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by ambaker:
I'm wondering about those glass cleaner wipes that come from the packets. |
I use the ones from Wal-mart all the time.
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07/07/2010 12:29:24 PM · #17 |
Just going to nudge a sleeping giant here...
Way back in the day I remember breath and/or distilled water being listed as safe to clean lenses with. And there used to be those small lens cleaning tissues, I have a pack of them that were given to me. Normally I use a lens-cleaning microfibre cloth from Henry's and lens cleaning spray.
But if you don't have a lens cleaning fluid handy are there any common household liquids that would work? Ok, maybe not vinegar or lemon juice, but how about a teeny drop of rubbing alcohol?
Just asking... |
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07/07/2010 12:39:12 PM · #18 |
as far as I know, rubbing alcohol will be fine--as is water/breath etc.
The bigger issue is whether the cloth you use is clean (free of grit & free of oils). I tend to use spray on sunblock & that pretty much disables my shirt for lens-cleaning--quite the bummer... |
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07/07/2010 12:43:30 PM · #19 |
| Should mention that I really need something that is good at getting that blue crud off, if you're not careful it smears all the more and takes much longer to clean off! I was able to scare up a lens cleaning cloth that came in a foil packet, and had to devote it to just cleaning the UV filter on my 50mm. |
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07/07/2010 12:43:47 PM · #20 |
Rubbing alcohol works, but try the brand first on a clear glass to see if it makes streaks. Original Joy dish soap works nicely, if you dilute it to maybe 100/1 with distilled water. Work it gently with a cotton ball, micro fiber cloth, or q tip. Work from the center of the glass to the edge, so that any remaining smutz will be out at the edge, and not in the primary area where the image passes thru.
Use extra caution on the rear element, because a scratch or yuck there will be a lot more visible in photos.
When doing the rear element, be careful of any metal chips that may be left there from putting lenses on and off the camera body. I say this because I have a scratched sensor filter in one of my cameras now from a metal chip getting under the swab. Replace the filter is about $400, ouch. I still shoot with it wide aperture, and the scratch is barely visible.
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07/07/2010 12:51:52 PM · #21 |
tongue...
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07/07/2010 03:37:06 PM · #22 |
| Uhmmm ok, but does it have to be your own tongue? I don't like the taste of lens glass. How about my cats' tongues? Should I put some milk on it and then let them do the work for me? :-p |
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07/07/2010 04:36:15 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by snaffles:
Uhmmm ok, but does it have to be your own tongue? I don't like the taste of lens glass. How about my cats' tongues? Should I put some milk on it and then let them do the work for me? :-p |
Sorry! Haven't you ever felt your cat's tongue? It's like sand paper! Too harsh.
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07/07/2010 04:55:37 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by plims:
Sorry if this has been posted before but 425 pages seemed a bit much to look through :D
Basically im looking for some household tips or tricks in cleaning ur lens... what type of material/ fluid/ techniques are useful? I have a cheap fisheye adapter (which does the job if you're just lookin to play around) and this thing is a magnet for dust, fibres, and anything else it want to hoover up.
Appreciate any feedback, cheers :) |
Seriously. Pec pads and Eclipse fluid. But, I'm not sure you really wanted to know the best photographic method. |
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07/07/2010 04:58:32 PM · #25 |
I use a lenspen or a microfiber cloth, and my t-shirt once in a while
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