Cleaning lens' and filters

Andrew33

Hi all, what is the best way to clean my filters out in the field? Currently use a special cloth which came with my Dell laptop (figured if it won't scratch a screen it won't scratch my filters but it does leave an odd fibre or two on glass so what type of cloth is best? Would a glasses cloth be better and where would I get a decent sized one? Thanks.

Thecageyone

I use normal micro-fibre lens cloths, found in any opticians. I just go in and ask and they usually give me a few for free. Even though I obviously don't wear glasses

Andrew33

Thecageyone wrote: »

I use normal micro-fibre lens cloths, found in any opticians. I just go in and ask and they usually give me a few for free. Even though I obviously don't wear glasses

Cheers, I'll try that.

Thecageyone

Quick tip: When you go in, ask if they have them for 'sale' - and they normally just hand you a few from behind the counter Oh, and wear glasses if you have them. Last time I went in with my camera bag around me and no glasses, the girl gave me a funny look but still gave me 2 cloths

Hard neck FTW!

thefly

Cigarette papers

BrokenArrows

i bought one of these the other day.
works great

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-00005604-Lens-Cleaning-Pen/dp/B00006JALB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1280151451&sr=8-1

thinktwice

Andrew33 wrote: »

Cheers, I'll try that.

Me too great advice was just wonderin the same this wk!:p

cnocbui

If you want e decent sized microfiber cloth, have a look in the cleaning product section of Lidl. They sometimes have a pack of 2 cloths in a box for only a few euro. They are pale green and have a fine pile. Much larger, handier and more effective than the small smooth shiny cloths that Opticians have for glasses.

It isn't the cloth you have to worry about scratching the lens, it's dust that is already sitting on it which the cloth picks up and then scratches the lens with.

It is a good idea to have a can of air to blow away the dust before wiping it with anything. When that isn't available, I use Scotch tape pressed onto the surface and then peeled off.

If you have an incredibly expensive lens, there is a product you can get called Opticlean which you actually paint onto the lens surface as a liquid and allow to dry, then you peel off the dried film. Leaves a lens surface absolutely pristine with no chance of scratching it by wiping dust around. Astronomers use it to clean first surface mirrors in telescopes.

A proportion of fine dust actually consists of minute particles of sand from the Sahara. Not good stuff to be dragging across your lens coatings.

Andrew33

thefly wrote: »

Cigarette papers

Is that after I wash the whole lens under the tap:rolleyes:

Barname

Sleepy

+1 for the Lens pen, a soft brush to flick away any dust and the tip to clean the lens.

dazftw

Barname wrote: »

I can vouch for sandpaper it gives your photos an old antique look!

Barname

dazftw wrote: »

I can vouch for sandpaper it gives your photos an old antique look!

i rub it on my eyeballs for increased effect

Mycroft H

Barname wrote: »

Only 240???


120 grit for the hardcore :cool:











I found a large calumet microfiber lens cloth on the Saltees when camping there. Its about 30x30cm and cleans all the lenses really well. Best of all - It was free :pac: