Camera Lens Cleaning Tips

Discuss everything including the optimal equipment, seasons, techniques and tips for capturing excellent photos.

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Matt
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Share your Lens Cleaning tips here.


A few to start:


Always blow or dust off off solid debris or dust before using a polishing cloth!

You should never have to press hard when polishing. If a soft polish will not get off the grime, then add more liquid to the cloth, or polish faster (but still soft).

Always add liquid cleaner to the cloth, never put it directly on the lens (as it may seep into the lens)
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ApproachingLight
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So what do you guys & ladies use.

Saw lots of dust and took off the protective low-e cover glass to find dust in-between. Go figure! But it never comes perfectly clean.

Also what about polarizers. I find cleaning those buggers has to be circular, but more, there are streaks left.

Wise people what works for you?

D
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Matt
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Formula MC is a great lens and filter cleaner. I small bottle lasts forever.
I use some cheap chinese MF clothes for cleaning the camera's outside and LINOS cloths for the lens and filters.
Though I rarely clean the actual lens since i prefer to keep them covered with protective filters.
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ApproachingLight
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Thanks for the reply.
Some have not replied en masse to this new category, but I like the "tips" addition.

Hey do we have to travel to china to get the MF clothes?
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Kelly
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Here you go, David. Going with the assumption that you wanted the good lens cleaning stuff and not the "MF clothes" mentioned for cleaning the camera body. You can get cheap MF cloths at the dollar store if you want to save yourself the trip to China.

http://www.photofilter.com/acces.htm#Li ... iber_Cloth
http://www.photofilter.com/acces.htm#Fo ... %20Cleaner

You're looking for:
Rodenstock Micro Fiber Cloth (Linos)
Formula MC

I also use these and find them to meet my lens (and glasses) cleaning needs. Oh, and shipping is free if you order $25 or more.
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ApproachingLight
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Kelly, this is kind of you.

thank you,

d
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Kelly
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Kelly, this is kind of you.
buying them for you would be kind. pointing you in the right direction is just being human.
I am strong, because I've been weak.
I am fearless, because I've been afraid.
I am wise, because I've been foolish.

- Unknown

My NYFalls.com Team Page
Scenes from a Public Market
New York Historic
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Matt
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I restocked my Formula MC with 6 new bottles. I use it to clean LCD screens and monitors and now my sunglasses.

Have not been able to find the Roddenstock/Linos cloths for a decent price anywhere, but my stock is still good.
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