How to safely clean a lens?

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efunc

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Hi all,

so I've just picked up a Canon EF 10-22mm lens which is virtually mint with only a few months use apparently. However the previous owner seems to have got his oily fingers on the front glass and then tried to wipe it with a cotton cloth, smearing the glass in the process :thumbsdown:

What's the best strategy for cleaning this effectively? I've never used lens cleaner, if there is such a thing. is there? I would think perhaps a high quality microfibre lens cloth, with just a drop of water to make it damp. Or is it safe to use isopropyl alcohol? My concern is the coating on the glass. Is this in danger of being dissolved or rubbed off by abrasion and solvents? If so I'm in two minds whether to clean it at all. Thanks for the advice.
 
i use spectacle lens cleaner and a cloth for the same purpose, removes most stains etc with zero risk
 
I've got this thing called a 'Lens Pen'. At first glance it appears to be a dry wipe marker but you pull the lid off and it's got a flat round head which you use to clean the lens leaving it all clean and shiny afterwards.
 
Willenium said:
I've got this thing called a 'Lens Pen'. At first glance it appears to be a dry wipe marker but you pull the lid off and it's got a flat round head which you use to clean the lens leaving it all clean and shiny afterwards.
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sounds weird! what material is it made of? would it actually de-grease though, or just wipe away dust?
 
counterculture said:
i use spectacle lens cleaner and a cloth for the same purpose, removes most stains etc with zero risk
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Ahh, so there are no specialised products used? I'm just concerned about the lens coating which is very important, and which you wouldn't have to worry about when cleaning specs..
 
Lenspen. End of. It's made of a carbon material that recharges when you put the cap on, its stored in the cap. It works a treat, I do believe our very own Flash in the pan sells them. Or sometimes jessops have some deals occasionally.
 
Definately a lenspen job. Wouldnt use anything else. A quick blow with a rocket blower and then use the lenspen. I have one with me at all times.

7dayshop also do decent prices on them from time to time.
 
That's it, I'm sold! I've still got my old blower handed down from my dad and his old SLR days. Haven't tried one of these carbon things, but as long as it's not harsh or abrasive I guess it must be ok. Thanks all :)
 
+1 for Lenspen
I also managed to get some 3M lens cleaning cloths which are microfibre and they are really good. Got them from the 3m online store on offer.
 
Alternatively...

Disposable Pec-Pads with Eclipse lens cleaning fluid is another approach.
eg: Amazon
 
Microfibre lens cleaning cloths from Calumet with a bit of 'breath' usually does the trick for me...
I also have a pack of pre-moistened optician's 'wet-wipes' for really gungy glass...
 
Fingerprints tend to get tissued off with a drop of lens cleaning fluid (an Isopropyl Alcohol solution IIRC). A lenspen will do the job just as well but repeated use on greasy marks can tire the tip.
 
cool, I guess it doesn't hurt to have a range of products at my disposal, so I'll invest in the lens cleaning solutions and 3M stuff as well as a lens pen, which I can see as really handy when I'm out and about. Thanks all! :)
 
I use disposale wet lens cleaning tissues to remove any gunk and grease then use the lens pen to finish it all off.
 
I'm just concerned about the lens coating which is very important, and which you wouldn't have to worry about when cleaning specs..
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Got that wrong mate, my last pair of spectacles probably cost more than your 10-22.

Modern spectacles are multi coated just like a lens but are made of acrylic that scratches easier than glass.

My method of choice is Boots spectacle cleaner and cloth, and a dry microfibre cloth to finish the job.

Thats only my method, there are many and depends on who you are what method you choose :D
 
wow! glad i don't wear specs. i couldn't afford two expensive habits!

thanks for the addvice.
 
Can anyone please tell me if there's a difference in Lenspen and Nikon Lens Pen?

Noticed both while looking for Lenspen on Google, the look identical but the logos are obviously different.

There are others that look the same but appear to have no name on at all, are they copies?
 
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from the youtube vid posted earlier it looks like they license the design to OEMs to re-badge and sell.
 
There are a lot of solutions. I use a lens pen most of the time, and it's easy to carry with you. Just make sure you brush/blow off any dust first!
 
Arkady said:
Microfibre lens cleaning cloths from Calumet with a bit of 'breath' usually does the trick for me...
I also have a pack of pre-moistened optician's 'wet-wipes' for really gungy glass...
Click to expand...

Given some of your assignments, I would think a lump hammer and a chisel might be required though!!
 
Modern multi-layer coatings are fairly hardy with the final coat being of a clear hardening disposition, and withstand a fair bit but not excessive amount of abuse. Gone are the bad old days where looking at a lens the wrong way could result in a scratch/scuff.

My cleaning method:-
Materials - Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) and lens tissue.

1) Blow all dust and grit off front element.
2) Fold lens tissue into a pad, apply a few drops of IPA and shake of excess.
3) Moving from the center to edge use a light drag wipe method, move lens tissue at a speed that you can see the IPA evaporating behind your wipe, use a fresh part of the lens tissue pad for each wipe.
4) You can use a larger tissue pad and IPA for final polish, using a light circular motion, starting in the center of the lens and working out to the edge.
5) Inpect for cleanliness and IPA drying marks, repeat if required.
6) Job done.

NOTE: Fingerprints should be dealt with ASAP, a fingerprint is a deposit of natural skin oils and sweat and as such is slightly acidic. Over a period of time this can etch itself into an optical coating, this is accelerated in hot and humid conditions, thankfully this has never been a problem in Scotland ... :lol:

Sorry for rabbiting on ... but hope this will be usefull for fellow TOGS ...
 
thelamont said:
NOTE: Fingerprints should be dealt with ASAP, a fingerprint is a deposit of natural skin oils and sweat and as such is slightly acidic. Over a period of time this can etch itself into an optical coating, this is accelerated in hot and humid conditions, thankfully this has never been a problem in Scotland ... :lol:
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Magnesium fluoride attacked by finger grime? Just don't use water, as eventually it will dissolve some of the coating.
 
Well as a manager of specsavers I guess I can help out with this. The multi coat on camera lenses is very similar to the multiple coat on specs. The best thing to clean it with is a lens spray and clean microfibre cloth. First of all thou blow the lens to remove any grit. The worst thing for multi coats is actually tissue paper and fairy liquid. Tissue can be too abrasive and washing up liquid that contains certain chemicals wreaks havoc for coatings. I've never tried a lens pen thou, sounds well worth a try.
 
great thread. having had a d50 for years and only using a microfibre cloth, ive decided to treat myself and get some "Nice" cleaning gear for my new d90 from "Flash in the Pan". Seems the "lens pen" is highly thought of!
 
Cistron said:
Magnesium fluoride attacked by finger grime? Just don't use water, as eventually it will dissolve some of the coating.
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From the Sci-tech dictionary ...

(mag′nē·zē·əm ′flu̇r′īd)
(inorganic chemistry) MgF2 White, fluorescent crystals; insoluble in water and alcohol, soluble in nitric acid; melts at 1263°C; used in ceramics and glass.
 
thelamont said:
From the Sci-tech dictionary ...

(mag′nē·zē·əm ′flu̇r′īd)
(inorganic chemistry) MgF2 White, fluorescent crystals; insoluble in water and alcohol, soluble in nitric acid; melts at 1263°C; used in ceramics and glass.
Click to expand...
Solubility in water is 0.13 g/l. Not that anyone will pour copious amounts of water across a front element, but over time I suppose it might dissolve some, especially considering that the coating is only 1/4 of the target wavelength in thickness.
 
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