A Conversation for Ask h2g2

Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 1

winnoch2 - Impostair Syndromair Extraordinaire

My dad was a life-long amateur photography enthuisiast. He always said that you should never touch a lens surface and the cleaning of either the objective or camera body-end of the lens would remove/damage the coatings. I've always felt this is a bit over-cautious; surely modern coatings aren't going to wear off after a few wipes? And there are many lens cleaning solutions available so someone must clean their lenses.

What do poeple on here think? Have you heard of the 'never touch a lens' philosophy? I'm sure that ideally this is best, but in the real world of outdoors photography salty sea air or other contaminants will settle on the surface, no matter how fastitious you are with lens cap replacement.


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 2

FWR

Anti reflective coatings on expensive lenses can be scratched. Always use a recommended lens cloth/brush. Bobstafford has a nice series of photography articles, including camera care.


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 3

winnoch2 - Impostair Syndromair Extraordinaire

Thanks; It's a given that I would be using clean micro-fibre lens cloths and either my breath, or a lense cleaner. Not about to set a pot scourer onto the task smiley - winkeye. Could the coatings wear off, even with such care ?


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 4

FWR

Put the Brillo pads away!

Suppose everything wears away eventually, I was told never breathe on a lens or mirror....probably the red wine fumes are bad for them!smiley - run


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 5

paulh, vaccinated against the Omigod Variant

Are the lenses in my eyeglasses considered to be optic lenses? If so, I sometimes use tissues or my shirt to get them clean. Sure, that could lead to minor scratches, but my eye prescriptions rarely stay valid for more than two years anyway, so all I have to do is keep them usable for two years. smiley - shrug


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 6

Baron Grim

Do not breath on your camera lenses. I first use one of those squeeze bulbs and a dedicated brush (it never touches anything but lenses, NEVER touch the hairs with your hands unless you like wiping oils on your lens). Then I use lens tissues (Kimtech/Kimwipes) and camera lens cleaning fluid or distilled water only, wiping in small circular motions.

Yeah, you don't have to be so picky with eyeglasses. I recommend only ever using those microfiber lens cloths you can get at any optometrists or those premoistened wipes you can get other places. Another really good way to clean glasses is to use your fingers under the faucet with light soap, just after washing my hands. Your wet, clean finger tips won't damage your lenses. You just then need to dry the lenses with an appropriate cloth.

Never EVER use a paper towel to wipe your lenses. Most kitchen/paper towels are abrasive.


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 7

paulh, vaccinated against the Omigod Variant

I very rarely use paper towels for that.


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 8

Baron Grim

Very rarely is too often.
There is basically "grit" embedded in the fibers. Which is good for cleaning counter tops, but not so good for plastic and glass lenses.


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 9

paulh, vaccinated against the Omigod Variant

Okay, I get it.


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 10

Baron Grim

P.S.

I learned the hard way. smiley - doh


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 11

winnoch2 - Impostair Syndromair Extraordinaire

Yeah I knew about not using paper towels- can't remember where I read it or whether I just reckoned they looked as rough as a badgers arse and worked it out for myself smiley - badger


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 12

paulh, vaccinated against the Omigod Variant

Oh, I "know" I'm not supposed to use paper towels to clean my glasses. I probably haven't done it in years, but I can't sure smiley - blush.

smiley - seniorsmiley - online2long


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 13

Orcus

I never clean the camera lens on my phone.

This certainly and most definitely due to a diligent and knowledgable dedication to care for the coatings thereupon.... smiley - tongueincheek


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 14

paulh, vaccinated against the Omigod Variant

I'm rather fond of the idea that laziness is sometimes a godsend smiley - ok


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 15

Baron Grim

Laziness is the father of invention.

Think of all the labor saving devices invented by lazy people.
Think of all the efficiencies in work flow.

Lazy people are problem solvers.


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 16

paulh, vaccinated against the Omigod Variant

My grandfather was one of those unappreciated lazy people. He taught my mother quick, easy ways to get answers in math. The teacher didn't appreciate this. smiley - cross


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 17

Orcus

I'm not particularly convinced that about saving devices were invented by the lazy.

I presume the reasons are mostly so that the work can be done more effectively/efficiently thereby freeing up people's time for something more effective than drudgery. Once can now clean the house quite quickly, whereas 200 years ago it was literally a full-time occupation for one or more people per-household.

Have we got more productive in more useful areas as a result.. hmmm - debating lots of nonsense on the internet like this and dribbling on our smartphones continuously... watching reality telly until our brains melt.... not sure...? smiley - winkeye


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 18

paulh, vaccinated against the Omigod Variant

I don't use a smart phone. I don't watch reality television. Granted, I'm here to discuss things every day, but that represents a gift of my valuable expertise for the benefit of the rest of the world. smiley - tongueout

Oh, and my eyeglasses need to be cleaned again. smiley - run


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 19

Baron Grim

Try the soapy finger method I mentioned. It works really well.


Do you ever clean your camera/other optics lenses?

Post 20

paulh, vaccinated against the Omigod Variant

I can try that, BG, but would the lenses air-dry? smiley - huh


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