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Question of the Day: Did you buy your last car with cash or on a finance plan?
Lens cleaners?
- Thread starter Techrat
- Start date
koffiejunkie
Executive Member
Check out the Digital SLR versus Ultra Zoom / POS thread. If you skip past all the dickfighting, you'll find an excellent recommendation 
SubliminalThought
Senior Member
I use a combination of a bulb blower, lenspen and Micro Fibre cloth.
First I use the bulb blower to blow most of the dust away. Then I use the lenspens brush to lightly brush any loose dust. If the lens has some fingerprints or marks on it, I use the other side of the lens pen. The micro fibre cloth I use when I need to remove more serious grime.
I got the bulb blower with the camera. Micro fibre cloths are cheap to get. And then I only had to splash on a lenspen.
First I use the bulb blower to blow most of the dust away. Then I use the lenspens brush to lightly brush any loose dust. If the lens has some fingerprints or marks on it, I use the other side of the lens pen. The micro fibre cloth I use when I need to remove more serious grime.
I got the bulb blower with the camera. Micro fibre cloths are cheap to get. And then I only had to splash on a lenspen.
I assume most photography stores will stock all of that stuff?
Can you comment on the size of he lenspen's applicator? Do you use the orginal or mini one? Apparently the mini is small enough for viewfinders, but probably too small for slr lenses I would think.
Is it ok to clean the fornt of the flash with these things if need be? (Just curious)
BTW I saw Rizla recommended elsewhere on the forum, does it really work well? What sort of fluids do you use with it? I'm even more scepticle of that frankly.
Can you comment on the size of he lenspen's applicator? Do you use the orginal or mini one? Apparently the mini is small enough for viewfinders, but probably too small for slr lenses I would think.
Is it ok to clean the fornt of the flash with these things if need be? (Just curious)
BTW I saw Rizla recommended elsewhere on the forum, does it really work well? What sort of fluids do you use with it? I'm even more scepticle of that frankly.
koffiejunkie
Executive Member
I haven't used any fluid so far with it except fogging it up with my breath a few times. I use a lens hood on all my lenses (even the 50mm f/1.8) so they don't tend to get too dirty, and I give them a frequent blow just to remove the worst dust.
It's about 10mm in diameter looking at the one in front of me, other side has a nice soft retractable brush.
Bwana uses the Rizla paper and it works really well to clean the lens. It doesn't scratch the lens and leaves the lens really clean
I think it's mainly for getting rid of finger prints and smudge marks. If there's dust on the lens I'm sure you could just use a soft brush and brush it off.
Why so sceptical? It's just like using lens paper [except it's ubiquitous]. Use once - discard. Not like a lens cloth or anything else you use repeatedly. Like Koffie the only 'fluid' I use is my condensed breath.
Use your shirt.
http://www.lensrentals.com/news/2008.10.30/front-element-scratches
I just borrow a friends lens pen every now and then (read: twice a year) and give my lenses a wipe.
http://www.lensrentals.com/news/2008.10.30/front-element-scratches
I just borrow a friends lens pen every now and then (read: twice a year) and give my lenses a wipe.
Fair enough but try selling a lens with obvious scratches on the glass. Between that and the added risk of flaring I'm happy to take a precaution or two.
No.
koffiejunkie
Executive Member
My first Pentax K1000 came with a 50mm lens with a huge chip in the front element. I was not able to afford the size print necessary to see the effect, if any
All has been said, but if you have a really stubborn mark on the lens, you can use sensor cleaning fluid (which is mainly iso-propyl alcohol), with the Rizla's or lens tissue. If you can get AR grade iso-propyl alcohol, that's the best - don't use rubbing alcohol that you can buy at a chemist.
OT: I use a combination of Dust Off, mini lens pen and iso-propyl alcohol with lens tissue to clean slides before I scan them (in the order given, depending on the severity of the dirt on the slide). The scans show no scratches that weren't present prior to cleaning. If it works on the slides, it will definitely work on a lens.
OT: I use a combination of Dust Off, mini lens pen and iso-propyl alcohol with lens tissue to clean slides before I scan them (in the order given, depending on the severity of the dirt on the slide). The scans show no scratches that weren't present prior to cleaning. If it works on the slides, it will definitely work on a lens.
SubliminalThought
Senior Member
I cringe looking at that pic of the lens!
But would you rather buy a 50mm with a scratched front element or one with a pristine front element. That's all I'm trying to say.My first Pentax K1000 came with a 50mm lens with a huge chip in the front element. I was not able to afford the size print necessary to see the effect, if any
Have a look here. Read through it and seems comprehensive enough.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Photography-Tips/Sensor-Cleaning.aspx
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Photography-Tips/Sensor-Cleaning.aspx
Great tutorial for cleaning sensors. Lenses aren't as delicate.
koffiejunkie
Executive Member
But would you rather buy a 50mm with a scratched front element or one with a pristine front element. That's all I'm trying to say.
Well, that depends. If I can pick up a f/1.2 for a real bargain, I might consider it. But something like the f/1.4, I have no business not buying new.
When I bought the K1000 first time around though, I was mostly broke though. There was no other way I would have been able to a afford it.
Doh! Didn't think there for a sec. Only realised now that sensors are not mentioned in this thread.