Cleaning a Lens... how... and with what...?

theMusicMan

theMusicMan

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Hi All

I have a lens, my fantastic Zuiko 14-54mm, and have ordered a UV filter for it that I remembered a few days ago hasn't yet arrived so I need to follow this up. However, during a shoot earlier this week - it looks like the gorgeous girl who I posted a hi-key image of a few days ago managed to put her grubby fingers on the lens as I was packing my gear away, and there's two darned greasy fingerprints on the glass.

So, can anyone advise as to what substance should I use to clean the lens, and what appliance should I use to apply this substance with...?

I am in London today with a few hours spare around the 2:00 mark so I could pop to a camera store and get some stuff.

Any ideas please?
 
I use Eclipse fluid and a Pecpad.
A small drop on the pad and just wipe across in one direction.
 
Whilst you're there, a pair of mittens should prevent any recurrence of the problem.
 
any good lens cleaning fluid should do the job, like with anything on the camera, be gentle and dont have the the cloth/pad soaked, just damp with fluid, then finish off with a normal dry lens cloth to polish.

I am amazed this is the first time your lens has had greasy fingerprints on it though, how DO you manage it? :lol:
 
Hehe... I usually have a filter on the lens and am happy to use ordinary cleaner on filters.
 
People in clubs are always putting their double-vodka and Redbul covered hands on my lens, much to my annoyance.

Just a quick rub of my nicely washed t-shirt does the trick! :D

I also use my iPhone polishing cloth thing, works really well.

I'v never seen the point in forking out for cleaning solutions when a bit of mouth-mist does the trick a-ok :D
 
Do a google search for ROR, (residual oil remover), use a clean microfibre cloth, (blow dust off lens first), I could never get my stuff smear free, but can now, (lens/filters/lcd's - TV & Computer).

I got mine from the USA, but I recently saw someone selling it here.

Regards

Alex
 
I'm a tad lucky in this respect cos it crosses over with me day job. I work for Xerox, 'attempting' to fix colour copiers / printers, so cleaning cloths and solutions are never far away.
the fave is a 30%mix of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water, get the IPA from a pharmacy, but expect to be quizzed what for! on a lint free cloth, used for cleaning 1st surface mirrors and coated optics - sound familiar? much cheaper and just as good as the £20 quid stuff in the teeny bottle.. :thumbs:

dave
 
How I love the 14-54....

Blow away any obvious specs of dirt before you go to work with the cleaning solutions. A lens like that deserves some protection, so once you have that lovely Zuiko clean stick a filter on it...??

John.
 
I use the same technique at all times.

1) Rocket Blower
2) Brush
3) Purasol on a microfibre cloth
4) Rocket Blower

I order Purasol from the states, it is alchohol free, water based cleaning solution. So no fear of it affecting any coatings. It dries smear free, pretty much instantly, without a lot of faffing about.
I occasionally use Bouchard wipes for filters, seeing as I usually have a supply handy for my glasses.
 
JG777 said:
How I love the 14-54....

Blow away any obvious specs of dirt before you go to work with the cleaning solutions. A lens like that deserves some protection, so once you have that lovely Zuiko clean stick a filter on it...??

John.
Click to expand...
Hey John... yup it's a super lens eh! Hence wanting to give it some care and not damage it. I am getting a filter later today for it and want to have it clean before placing this on it.

Thanks all for the advice. I have no qualms in cleaning a filter with one of the milder glass cleaning solutions my wife has under the sink, but not glass!!!
 
I'd agree with some Eclipse.
Im a breathe/lens cloth kinda guy.

For stubborn stuff, I'd break out my Eclipse bottle, but I haven't had to yet. Pure luck I suppose :D

The only thing it, put any fluid (particularly eclipse) onto the cloth, never directly onto the lens (apparently). :)
 
'Eclipse' - is this available from general photo stores...?
 
Warehouse Express I got mine from.
There are only a few stores that sell it because its a US product, and has to be shipped under a special license (Hence you can't buy it mail order from the US).
 
I dust first with a blusher brush then use the Specsaver branded coated lens cleaner which states on the label that it cleans all coated and multicoated optical lens. This I use with Jessops lens cleaning tissues.
Is this an ok method ?.
 
A blower first and if still dirty a Pecpad and if I can't get rid of dirt or smears I use Eclipse not the E2 type the optical cleaner type with a Pecpad.
 
My lenspen has never failed me, shifts greasy fingerprints in a few seconds
 
trip said:
My lenspen has never failed me, shifts greasy fingerprints in a few seconds
Click to expand...
Yep I'm a lens pen guy myself, that's a talkphotography branded lens pen of course not some other cheapo brand. :lol:
 
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