Cleaning lenses

[AnonymousKiwi1]

I did a quick scout in the techniques section, and I havtn't been able to find the answer.
What's the best way to clean my nifty-fifty's lens?
My other lens I keep covered with a filter, when it's dirty I just take the filter off and wash it with water.
I have nothing over the 50mm, and after our recent adventures at the glow worm caves, and also a trip to the beach a couple of weeks ago, it is looking grubby. And taking blurry-ish photos. I've tried wiping it with a soft cloth, but that's just smeared the gunk around.
Is it safe to use a bit of glass cleaner on the cloth?

What do you guys use to keep your gear clean?

[NgaiHill]

Do you have a lens pen? It has a brush on one end and a cleaning pad on the other. Its all I use to clean my lenses. If the lens is really bad you could try some spray for cleaning spectacles - should be able to pick a bottle up at your friendly neighbourhood optometrist shop.

[baycruisers]

I use a LensPen/Brush to get off particles (or sometimes a rocket blower), followed by a lens cleaner pad that comes in a sealed envelope made by Flents. They're actually for glasses, but they work well for lenses. HOWEVER, they can leave a very fine residue that is hard to see, so I always finish with a clean microfiber cloth. (Start in the center of the lens and wipe in concentric circles towards the outside.)

I would never directly spray a glass cleaner onto a lens, but it can be sprayed onto a soft cloth for cleaning.

Also, occasionally clean the inside of the lens cap. They seem to attract dust particles that inevitably land on the lens element. I always blow on the lens cap before I put it on. It's usually been in a pocket, collecting schmutz.

[SwissJon]

I usually put mine in a bowl of hot soapy water, and if that doesn't sort it out, a quick run through with the dish washer will be enough...

Seriously though, the lens has a very fine anti glare coating on it. If you hadle it too roughly or clean it with the wrong product, you're liable to "clean" that off too.. I would suggest you use proper lens cleaning products.. They're more expensive than the spectical cleaner, but specicals don't have the film that your lens has, so wouldn't use things like that for cleaning.

I also wouldn't treat my filters to a rinse under the tap.. We've got a lot of calcium in the ware here, and you're likely to leave traces.. While they're not as expensive to replace as lenses, they still go between the view and the sensor so effect the optical qualities of the photo.. Treat them with the same cleaning regime as you do a lens.

[baycruisers]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

I usually put mine in a bowl of hot soapy water, and if that doesn't sort it out, a quick run through with the dish washer will be enough...

Seriously though, the lens has a very fine anti glare coating on it. If you hadle it too roughly or clean it with the wrong product, you're liable to "clean" that off too.. I would suggest you use proper lens cleaning products.. They're more expensive than the spectical cleaner, but specicals don't have the film that your lens has, so wouldn't use things like that for cleaning.

I also wouldn't treat my filters to a rinse under the tap.. We've got a lot of calcium in the ware here, and you're likely to leave traces.. While they're not as expensive to replace as lenses, they still go between the view and the sensor so effect the optical qualities of the photo.. Treat them with the same cleaning regime as you do a lens.

Actually, my spectacles do have antiglare and transitions coatings, and the Flents don't harm them, as far as I can tell. I clean them x1-2/day for 2-3 years (far more often than I would clean a front lens element) and no damage done.

[katia]

yeah my glasses have anti-glare as well. they make lens cleaner for prescription eye-glasses that is called AR Eyeglasses Cleaner. at least that's what my bottle says, and the AR stands for anti-reflective, in case you didn't know

:P

to clean my lenses i use one of those blower things to blow off dust particles, and then use the cleaner sprayed onto an eyeglasses cloth. don't forget to wipe down both ends of the lens, either, as well as lenscap!

[conor5150]

an excellent video tutorial I just saw on my twitter timeline

Light Stalking How to Clean Your Camera Lens Properly (VIDEO)

[Jim Bryant]

Remember...thou shalt put filters on all your lenses. What would have happened if you scratched your lens? A filter...just take it off and throw away.

As for cleaning lenses and filters. I use a product called Roh.

[AnonymousKiwi1]

Looks like I'm going to have to make a trip to the camera shop tomorrow and get myself a lens pen, or something. I need to be fully functional by tomorrow evening.

Originally Posted by SwissJon

I usually put mine in a bowl of hot soapy water, and if that doesn't sort it out, a quick run through with the dish washer will be enough...

My hubby said the exact same thing! You must have the same sense of humour

Originally Posted by conor5150

an excellent video tutorial I just saw on my twitter timeline

Light Stalking How to Clean Your Camera Lens Properly (VIDEO)

Thanks, I'll check that out.

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Remember...thou shalt put filters on all your lenses.

I know, I know... a 52mm diameter UV filter will be going to the top of my shopping list.

Thank you all for your replies.

[Ptydi]

good post,interesting