Cleaning my camera lens

[shera]

I don't have a special cloth and I don't want to scratch it. It's got water spots or something on it. What to do?

[squirrelmurphy]

dishwasher

[danhikeski]

use your sunglasses or goggle case with some eyeglass cleaner, if it's not gonna fuck up my glasses, why not use it on any optics.

[Cirquerider]

Be sure to blow off any dirt or grit first. A soft microfiber cloth or the bag from your goggles is usually OK. You could buy lens tissue very inexpensively. Don't use cleaners, just breath on the lens to fog it and gently wipe. re danhikeski: Camera lenses can be a lot different from glasses because they are coated optics. The glass is more durable than the coatings.

SheRa, what kind of camera is this?

[hemas]

And buy a cheap protector / UV-filter for the lens... That way, the damage you do (water, scratches etc.) is only to the filter, not the actual lens.

Very important once you buy an expensive lens...

[workinforturns]

so, somewhat of a related question; i was using my Nikon F2AS yesterday and while looking through the lens it looked as if a piece of paper, very small, was floating around through where i view. when i would shake of jiggle it, it would slide around, always staying on the same flat surface.
What is it and what should i do?

[mtbakerskier]

800 grit wet and dry should do the trick.........


Or just buy a lense pen, they are prety much the best thing ever for cleaning any optics. Plus there like a whoping 10 bucks.

[mtbakerskier]

so, somewhat of a related question; i was using my Nikon F2AS yesterday and while looking through the lens it looked as if a piece of paper, very small, was floating around through where i view. when i would shake of jiggle it, it would slide around, always staying on the same flat surface.
What is it and what should i do?

Most likely it isnt in the lense but between the focusing screen and the prism in the mirror chamber. It can probally be removed by dropping the focusing screen and blowing it out with air. Or dont worry about it as it wont show up in the pics.

[danhikeski]

Be sure to blow off any dirt or grit first. A soft microfiber cloth or the bag from your goggles is usually OK. You could buy lens tissue very inexpensively. Don't use cleaners, just breath on the lens to fog it and gently wipe. re danhikeski: Camera lenses can be a lot different from glasses because they are coated optics. The glass is more durable than the coatings.

SheRa, what kind of camera is this?

so a lens cleaner I got from my optometrist is going to take a coating off a glass lens but not damage my PLASTIC eyeglasses. I don't believe it. Previously selling Zeiss, Swarovski, Stiener, and other brand optics, and seeing the reps use a lens cleaner, I don't have a problem putting it on any of my lenses.

[pechelman]

Or just buy a lense pen, they are prety much the best thing ever for cleaning any optics. Plus there like a whoping 10 bucks.

2nd

you can also get some of those special lint free wipes they sell for cameras
honestly though, I just blow any dust off and then wipe it very gently with the super old and soft t-shirt im generally wearing. Ive also found a fleece to work quite nicely.

the UV filter thing to protect the lens will always be debated.


and if you're wanting to remove lens fungus on the glass, you have a few options, but ponds cold cream works very well and actually what the minolta factory uses to refurb lenses with fungus. (or so I have read and been told in a few places).

[mtbakerskier]

so a lens cleaner I got from my optometrist is going to take a coating off a glass lens but not damage my PLASTIC eyeglasses. I don't believe it. Previously selling Zeiss, Swarovski, Stiener, and other brand optics, and seeing the reps use a lens cleaner, I don't have a problem putting it on any of my lenses.

Depending on the optical plactic used, it is not uncommon for it it be more chemcially resistant, than some of the lense coatings used.

It all depends upon the cleaner used and the quality of the lense. Some cleaner solvents will tke the coatings right off of a cheap lense, but most high end lenses, are coated well enough ,that they should be ok, with most optical cleaners.

[MeatPuppet]

And buy a cheap protector / UV-filter for the lens... That way, the damage you do (water, scratches etc.) is only to the filter, not the actual lens.

Very important once you buy an expensive lens...

Expensive lens with a cheap piece of glass on the front of it=dumbest thing ever.


Nothing personal hemas, but think about it. You buy an expensive lens for the optical quality. Then you make the light pass through a cheap piece of glass on the way to the lens? If you are going to degrade the light before it even gets to the front element, why bother with the expensive lens in the first place?

Just put the hood on and be careful.

[mtbakerskier]

Expensive lens with a cheap piece of glass on the front of it=dumbest thing ever.


Nothing personal hemas, but think about it. You buy an expensive lens for the optical quality. Then you make the light pass through a cheap piece of glass on the way to the lens? If you are going to degrade the light before it even gets to the front element, why bother with the expensive lens in the first place?

Just put the hood on and be careful.

Well thats why there are B+W and Heliopan filtes........

But unless you some L series or some german glass, ussing a tiffen or hoya filter is not going to degrade image quality.

[shera]

Thanks for the advice.

[workinforturns]

you were right. i took the prism off and a little piece that applied pressure to the screen had gotten cold and broke off. quick and easy. thanks!

Most likely it isnt in the lense but between the focusing screen and the prism in the mirror chamber. It can probally be removed by dropping the focusing screen and blowing it out with air. Or dont worry about it as it wont show up in the pics.