Lens cleaning goof-up!

[sunwrites]

Hi,

I own a Canon S5-IS. When I was new to digital cameras I remember having cleaned its lens 2-3 times by directly squirting the cleaning fluid on the lens and wiping it off with the cleaning tissue. I later learnt that the cleaning fluid should not be directly applied on the lens otherwise it creates splotches or damages the lens coating. Since then I have only cleaned the lens by taking a few drops of fluid on the tissue and wiping gently as is recommended. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the pictures my camera takes as of today.

Is there any way I can find out now if my lens has already been damaged by the initial few cleaning goof-ups? Are there any visual signs on the lens that will indicate damage?

I am asking this question now as I'm considering purchasing add-on lenses for my fixed lens camera. No point in investing more money in it if the main lens itself is already damaged. But I need to find out for sure.

Hope someone can guide (or better reassure) me.

[OsmosisStudios]

If you cant see anything, dont worry about it.

The reason you dont want to actually put the liquid directly on the lens is because it can be too much and seep into the lens through the seams.

[bono]

You would notice a damaged coating very easily. If you can't see anything you don't have a problem.

I usually use a microfiber cloth to clean my lenses. That works great even without a fluid.

[sunwrites]

OsmosisStudios,

Thanks a lot for the reassuring words. The doubt had been bothering me for weeks. Seems like digital cameras are such delicate things, there's always a right way and a wrong way of doing anything with them. :-D

[sunwrites]

bono,

Thanks a lot. I guess henceforth I'll use a micro-fibre cloth as much as possible and only use the solution when I see real stubborn dirt on the lens.

Just curious...what exactly is a sign of damaged lens coating? Does it appear in the pictures or can it be seen directly on the lens?

[bono]

You will sure notice damaged lens coating. If you hold your lens into some light and move it around a little you will probably see some slight colourful reflection in blue or yellow. This is the coating. If it is damaged you will notice.

A damaged coating usually does not have a major impact on pictures but it can lead to flares or some unintended reflections.