What do you use to clean your lens? Lens Cleaning Tissue?

Josh Bass · September 26th, 2008, 11:33 AM

Sometimes it seems to impossible to keep the lens clean, even if you put your cam back into its bag with lenscap on! Usually it's got little dusties on it whenever I take it out for a gig. I suppose I could wrap it in plastic and vacuum seal it after each use, but that sounds like a bit much.

Keith Moreau · January 15th, 2009, 03:42 PM

I'm having a problem where I can get the lens and filter really clean using a solution (in this case Formula MC) and optical tissue and sometimes a microfiber cloth.

The problem I'm having is stubborn dust that just wants to stick to the lens or filter. Mostly to the protective filter, I'm using a B+W UV multi-coated filter, I think it's a good one.

So when I do shoots with a lot of backlight, or looking nearly into the sun or other bright light source, every little spec shows up as a lens flare or glare. Sometimes nice but I'd like a choice here.

If I use a tissue with some fluid, it will remove most of it, but then I have to polish off the fluid. And then sometimes the dust is back and I'm just smearing the 'magnetic' dust around on the filter. I think I have a bad case of 'static cling' :)

Any hints on this?

John Peterson · January 17th, 2009, 06:51 PM

The cleaning solution that works really really well for me is ROR

http://www.ror.net/

John

Alister Chapman · January 18th, 2009, 03:21 AM

I use a good quality soft chamois leather.

Vincent Oliver · January 18th, 2009, 04:51 AM

I keep a UV filter on my lens, and clean this with a soft Selvit cloth (claimed to be better than Chamois Leather). This cloth can be purchased from any good Pro dealer and is as good as new when hand washed

Paul Joy · January 18th, 2009, 06:52 AM

I use a big Giottos rocket to remove anything that can be blown off, and then a nikon lens pen to remove anything more stubborn.

I've tried various cloths and liquids in the past but the lens pen seems to do a good job. Anything that costs loads to replace such as the in cam lens or my nikkor 20-35 I clean once and then always use a filter. My other SLR lenses are pretty much as disposable as a good quality filter so I don't usually bother with filters those and just clean them whenever necessary.

Paul Kellett · January 18th, 2009, 07:09 AM

A very soft makeup brush (no laughing) to get any dust off, then a soft micro fibre cloth and lens cleaning fluid from a pump spray bottle, can't remember the make.

Paul.

Alexander Kubalsky · January 18th, 2009, 09:16 AM

Great thread.

Don't know if this is worth mentioning but I was told by a Camera dealer in Tokyo first blow any particles off the lens, then spray cleaning fluid in the centre of the lens, apply lens cleaning paper to the spot and working in a circular motion spiral out to the edges.

Joe Lawry · January 18th, 2009, 04:16 PM

What are peoples thoughts on isopropyl alcohol?

I've used it a couple times on my UV filter and its amazing.. its yet to touch my lens though. In fact the only thing thats touched my Ex1s lens is a bulb blower. I also dont think i'll use it on a polar again.. managed to get a couple of small spots on that.. guess thats why filters in front of your lens are a good thing.

Im using Kimwipe tissues and have had no issues with them. Also am using KenAir which leaves no residue as long as you use it the right way up. Great for getting rid of any excess dust between the lens and the filter when screwing a new one on. I also dont hold the compressed air any closer than about 300mm to the lens surface.

I've ACd on 2 dramas, 1 shooting 35 and the other with hpx3000s and both times every AC had to have KenAir on them and it was used on the lenses a lot.

Currently in the market for a new lens cloth however, a chamois leather one sounds like the way to go.

Adam Reuter · January 18th, 2009, 11:07 PM

I use a Giottos Rocket Air Blower (the small one). I think I'm going to upgrade to a larger size this year although this one does a heckuva lot better than my last one.

When I got rain on my lens I did use a micro fibre cloth that I bought from Ritz Camera. Hot breath + micro fibre is the only way I do it. I may try some of the other solutions mentoned here but so far my glass is fine and no coatings are messed up.

WINDEX IS A NO NO!!! And "lens cleaning liquid" is probably just as bad. HOT BREATH WILL DO YOU FINE!!

Paul Inglis · January 19th, 2009, 12:36 PM

I just use a blow brush and a lens cloth as and when required. I keep the lens cap on at all times except when actually filming to reduce the gunk getting on the lens in the first place! The lens cap or rather shutter on the EX-3 is so easy to keep closed!

Mind you, I should see if I can squeeze a UV filter on the front of it as that would help and still shut the cover - anyone done this on the EX-3?

Jurgen Taghon · January 19th, 2009, 01:04 PM

i'm using sandpaper, gives a nice old scratchy look

Keith Moreau · January 19th, 2009, 01:22 PM

Seems sandpaper might still leave dust unless followed up with some other cleanup method. :)

Joking aside, Dust: It's still my problem, the statically attracted dust that seems to want to adhere to my protective filter (more so than the actual lens surface).

Are there any techniques or fluids that would neutralize what I believe is a static charge which makes this dust clingy?

I have the large Rocket blower, just blows more magnetic dust onto random areas of the filter, as well as high powered canned air, a little better but still some specs. I have good lens cleaner, good tissue, good chamois and good brushes. They all do well, but still leave a bit of the dust there. Do I need to do all my shooting inside a hermetically controlled clean room and wear a special suit to get the dust of my filter? I wouldn't be so obsessed except that this really shows up when aiming at a strong light source.

Again, I like this thread, keep the suggestions coming!

Vincent Oliver · January 19th, 2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Inglis

I should see if I can squeeze a UV filter on the front of it as that would help and still shut the cover - anyone done this on the EX-3?

I use a Hoya 77mm UV filter and leave it on my EX3 all the time. The lens hood still fits and other features work OK.

Kevin Cates · January 19th, 2009, 03:32 PM

For years I have used my breath and Kodak lens tissue - gently starting in the center and wiping in circles outwards to the edge. I never press hard - especially in the center where scratches could be more noticable. For stuborn smudges I use Rosco lens cleaning solution with tissue. Always use a UV or clear filter. Some high end 'multi coated' or 'harder' glass filters say they clean easier.

I just started using a Lenspen. I like the soft brush. Not sure about the felt wipe - it seems to leave a small residue behind. Good for a quick spot/dust remover for run and gun I guess.

Also, just got the Giotto rocket blower - medium - and it works great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Inglis

Mind you, I should see if I can squeeze a UV filter on the front of it as that would help and still shut the cover - anyone done this on the EX-3?

I use a B&M UV MRC filter and it does fit under the EX1 lens hood. I also just got the B&M Circular Polarizer MRC KSM "Slim" and amazingly it fits under the hood too - just can't rotate it with hood on. These are both 5mm I believe.

September 26th, 2008, 11:33 AM	#16
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Sometimes it seems to impossible to keep the lens clean, even if you put your cam back into its bag with lenscap on! Usually it's got little dusties on it whenever I take it out for a gig. I suppose I could wrap it in plastic and vacuum seal it after each use, but that sounds like a bit much. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

January 18th, 2009, 03:21 AM	#19
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	I use a good quality soft chamois leather. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

January 18th, 2009, 04:51 AM	#20
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	I keep a UV filter on my lens, and clean this with a soft Selvit cloth (claimed to be better than Chamois Leather). This cloth can be purchased from any good Pro dealer and is as good as new when hand washed __________________ Eyes are a deaf man’s ears. Ears are a blind man’s eyes

January 18th, 2009, 06:52 AM	#21
Paul Joy Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 627	I use a big Giottos rocket to remove anything that can be blown off, and then a nikon lens pen to remove anything more stubborn. I've tried various cloths and liquids in the past but the lens pen seems to do a good job. Anything that costs loads to replace such as the in cam lens or my nikkor 20-35 I clean once and then always use a filter. My other SLR lenses are pretty much as disposable as a good quality filter so I don't usually bother with filters those and just clean them whenever necessary. __________________ Blog: www.pauljoy.com Company: www.videotrader.co.uk Last edited by Paul Joy; January 19th, 2009 at 04:45 AM.

January 18th, 2009, 07:09 AM	#22
Paul Kellett Trustee Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bristol UK Posts: 1,273	A very soft makeup brush (no laughing) to get any dust off, then a soft micro fibre cloth and lens cleaning fluid from a pump spray bottle, can't remember the make. Paul. __________________ Round 2 GH5,FZ2000

January 15th, 2009, 03:42 PM	#17
Keith Moreau Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane, California Posts: 530	I'm having a problem where I can get the lens and filter really clean using a solution (in this case Formula MC) and optical tissue and sometimes a microfiber cloth. The problem I'm having is stubborn dust that just wants to stick to the lens or filter. Mostly to the protective filter, I'm using a B+W UV multi-coated filter, I think it's a good one. So when I do shoots with a lot of backlight, or looking nearly into the sun or other bright light source, every little spec shows up as a lens flare or glare. Sometimes nice but I'd like a choice here. If I use a tissue with some fluid, it will remove most of it, but then I have to polish off the fluid. And then sometimes the dust is back and I'm just smearing the 'magnetic' dust around on the filter. I think I have a bad case of 'static cling' :) Any hints on this?

January 17th, 2009, 06:51 PM	#18
John Peterson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Monroe, NY Posts: 703	The cleaning solution that works really really well for me is ROR http://www.ror.net/ John

January 18th, 2009, 09:16 AM	#23
Alexander Kubalsky Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Japan Posts: 172	Great thread. Don't know if this is worth mentioning but I was told by a Camera dealer in Tokyo first blow any particles off the lens, then spray cleaning fluid in the centre of the lens, apply lens cleaning paper to the spot and working in a circular motion spiral out to the edges.

January 18th, 2009, 04:16 PM	#24
Joe Lawry Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 418	What are peoples thoughts on isopropyl alcohol? I've used it a couple times on my UV filter and its amazing.. its yet to touch my lens though. In fact the only thing thats touched my Ex1s lens is a bulb blower. I also dont think i'll use it on a polar again.. managed to get a couple of small spots on that.. guess thats why filters in front of your lens are a good thing. Im using Kimwipe tissues and have had no issues with them. Also am using KenAir which leaves no residue as long as you use it the right way up. Great for getting rid of any excess dust between the lens and the filter when screwing a new one on. I also dont hold the compressed air any closer than about 300mm to the lens surface. I've ACd on 2 dramas, 1 shooting 35 and the other with hpx3000s and both times every AC had to have KenAir on them and it was used on the lenses a lot. Currently in the market for a new lens cloth however, a chamois leather one sounds like the way to go.

January 18th, 2009, 11:07 PM	#25
Adam Reuter Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 234	I use a Giottos Rocket Air Blower (the small one). I think I'm going to upgrade to a larger size this year although this one does a heckuva lot better than my last one. When I got rain on my lens I did use a micro fibre cloth that I bought from Ritz Camera. Hot breath + micro fibre is the only way I do it. I may try some of the other solutions mentoned here but so far my glass is fine and no coatings are messed up. WINDEX IS A NO NO!!! And "lens cleaning liquid" is probably just as bad. HOT BREATH WILL DO YOU FINE!!

January 19th, 2009, 12:36 PM	#26
Paul Inglis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: British Isles Posts: 415	I just use a blow brush and a lens cloth as and when required. I keep the lens cap on at all times except when actually filming to reduce the gunk getting on the lens in the first place! The lens cap or rather shutter on the EX-3 is so easy to keep closed! Mind you, I should see if I can squeeze a UV filter on the front of it as that would help and still shut the cover - anyone done this on the EX-3?

January 19th, 2009, 01:04 PM	#27
Jurgen Taghon Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Quito Ecuador Posts: 37	i'm using sandpaper, gives a nice old scratchy look

January 19th, 2009, 01:22 PM	#28
Keith Moreau Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane, California Posts: 530	Seems sandpaper might still leave dust unless followed up with some other cleanup method. :) Joking aside, Dust: It's still my problem, the statically attracted dust that seems to want to adhere to my protective filter (more so than the actual lens surface). Are there any techniques or fluids that would neutralize what I believe is a static charge which makes this dust clingy? I have the large Rocket blower, just blows more magnetic dust onto random areas of the filter, as well as high powered canned air, a little better but still some specs. I have good lens cleaner, good tissue, good chamois and good brushes. They all do well, but still leave a bit of the dust there. Do I need to do all my shooting inside a hermetically controlled clean room and wear a special suit to get the dust of my filter? I wouldn't be so obsessed except that this really shows up when aiming at a strong light source. Again, I like this thread, keep the suggestions coming!