Cleaning lenses

[Output Flange]

What's the right stuff to use to clean lenses?

[markmullen]

I use lenspens, rocket blowers if they're really dusty, then a lenspen.

[Simpo Two]

Rocket blower for dust, heavy breathing and lens cloth for marks.

[Gemm]

Always start with a blower, then brush if required, then cloth, then lenspen.

[GetCarter]

Vaseline and Brillo pads... if they don't work, I buy a new lens. (They haven't worked yet).

alternatively, blower and if no good, hot breath / lens cleaning cloth.

[Elderly]

I don't like the idea of proprietary lens cleaners that contain isopropyl alcohol but *I HAVE HEARD* that unflavoured vodka works on those stubborn stains without damaging lens coatings.

[GetCarter]

Out of interest, has ANYONE in here scratched a lens whilst cleaning? (That is visible in any image ever taken?) If so, I want to see it - as I haven't in 40 years of SLR use (and I've used plenty of sleeves).

[markmullen]

GetCarter said:

Out of interest, has ANYONE in here scratched a lens whilst cleaning? (That is visible in any image ever taken?) If so, I want to see it - as I haven't in 40 years of SLR use (and I've used plenty of sleeves).

No, and in a saturday job assisting a commercial photographer I used to clean 'blad and sinar lenses on my shirt, it was the done thing.

[Simpo Two]

Yes, a 'hur' and a shirt works well 'on location'.

[Gemm]

GetCarter said:

Out of interest, has ANYONE in here scratched a lens whilst cleaning? (That is visible in any image ever taken?) If so, I want to see it - as I haven't in 40 years of SLR use (and I've used plenty of sleeves).

No, never. I've also used t-shirt, finger with a bit of saliva, etc.

[RobDickinson]

Output Flange said:

What's the right stuff to use to clean lenses?

The weather sealed ones I just pop in the dishwasher