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Cleaning Cine lenses

Nik Harper

Nik Harper

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I was wondering if someone could tell me the correct tools and techniques to cleaning cine lenses.

Not sure if there is a different way to do it but i would rather ask and look stupid than just try it, mess up the lens and then look even more stupid.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!
 
There are several good threads on this already in the "Lens Test" forum which you can search for. But in a nutshell:
Always blow off or brush off the lens first. This avoids grinding large particles into the glass
If that was not sufficient, then take a piece of lens tissue and crumple it to soften the fibers (some recommend to fold and tear off a side and use the soft torn edge to wipe the lens. Lightly moisten a corner of your tissue and gently wipe the lens in a circular fashion. I do it for outside to center so as to not push dist into the edge of the lens.
Then take a dry section of the tissue and wipe dry...again following the same circular wipes.
 
Paul Nordin said:
There are several good threads on this already in the "Lens Test" forum which you can search for. But in a nutshell:
Always blow off or brush off the lens first. This avoids grinding large particles into the glass
If that was not sufficient, then take a piece of lens tissue and crumple it to soften the fibers (some recommend to fold and tear off a side and use the soft torn edge to wipe the lens. Lightly moisten a corner of your tissue and gently wipe the lens in a circular fashion. I do it for outside to center so as to not push dist into the edge of the lens.
Then take a dry section of the tissue and wipe dry...again following the same circular wipes.
Click to expand...

Yeah that's where i posted this one, but it was taking a while to find one of those threads so i just started a new one.

Thanks though, this is very helpful. I guess there isn't much difference in cleaning cine lenses, but i feel better now knowing that!
 
This is a picture of sub micron piece of rock that you can't see with your eyes and they are literally blowing in the wind everywhere. The only difference in rubbing this particle into your lens and rubbing sandpaper on your lens is the size of the scratch. This is volcanic ash which is as sharp as a rock because it is rock.

redoubt-volcano-ash-particles-x2.jpg
 
What do you guys suggest for single use handi-wipe type products? I'm using the Zeiss moist towelettes that came in their kit but am running low on them.
 
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I like to start with the gentlest solution and work up from there:

1. Blow air with a rubber lens bulb
2. Sweep gently with a soft "makeup" brush designed for lenses
3. Wipe with lens cloth in a circular motion from center working outwards
4. Spray lens cleaner onto lens tissue (not onto lens), and wipe in circular motion...
 
Ask most camera assistants and 99% of the time it's blower only. If there is a reason to do it, panchro and kim wipes.

The only people who don't follow this rule seem to be video style operators... news,doc,reality etc. I've seen all kinds of things dirty microfiber cloth, spraying lens juice directly on the glass, canned air, using a rough paintbrush on the lens. (Not all of them are this bad! but I've seen it all)
 
For our choice its Ultra Clarity lens cleaner IF we need to use it and Rosco lens tissue. one wipe only per clean surface of tissue. Spray on tissue only never on the lens, we never wipe with a dry tissue. Where we can we only use clean air. We dont like the rubber bulb blowers they seem to exaust rubber particles on to the lens surface.

I realise this thread was for lenses but if we are cleaning 3D mirrors we can use the manufacturers recomended Optical grade Acetone and some times distilled water but this is only in extreeme circumstances as the cleaning method is dependent on the coating. The cleaning fluid needs to be approved for the mirror in question. These are very very easy to damage.
 
Pretty much what everybody else said. More blower than wipes. I only go to wipes when there's really a lot to clean off.

One new thing I actually use, especially if there are dust particles the blower won't take care of, is the Arctic Butterfly brush from VisibleDust. Designed for sensor cleaning. Works like a charm on pesky particles.
 
Alot of good information.
I was taught to only clean when necessary.
My first and foremost plan to keeping a lens clean and protected is an optical flat or clear filter. ;)
I have been using a plastic bulb for 25+ years. The trick is to blow it away from the lens several times to clear the nozzle from any debris that may have been picked up in a pouch or front box.
Good Zeiss cloth and your breath go along way for minor imperfections after using the bulb.
For heavier cleaning use a panchro type cleaner and start in a circle from the center out. I prefer using a high quality cleaning cloth and carry several for each job. Lens tissue is great in a pinch but you often leave some minor particles/strands when you are cleaning.
The point about what you can't see is very valid. When not using an ND or other filter for protection that optical clear goes along way when you can get away with it! Every time I put up a lens it starts with a clear. I also might add, that I do alot of tabletop and would have had alot of M & D over the years had the front element not been protected.
Best,
Woody
 
Just thought I would chime in here. I've cleaned a few elements.

What NOT to use:
Brushes: Just spread dirt and drag it around, useless.
Micro Fiber Cloths: Anything that gets reused is wrong. period.
Rocket Blowers: Sucks in as much dust as it blows off, weak.
Panchro: Snake oil, windex works just as good.

What I use:
Various chemicals including acetone, denatured alcohol, and ethanol, each for different purposes.
Kimwipes, 4.4x8.4 in, folded, dampened corner with chemicals (never dry) and used ONCE then thrown away.
Compressed air filtered several times over. Canned air is fine as well, just don't shake or tilt the can.
Natural warm breath combined with chemicals/kimwipe. Cuts right through certain types of stains like spit from the AC that tried to clean an element with his AC/DC t-shirt

Most important is NEVER EVER use the same contact material more than once. I've gone through hundreds of thousands of Kimwipes. I did the math once a few years ago here on the forum.. I'm sure it's more than hundreds of thousands by now.
 
Matthew Duclos said:
Just thought I would chime in here. I've cleaned a few elements.

What NOT to use:
Brushes: Just spread dirt and drag it around, useless.
Micro Fiber Cloths: Anything that gets reused is wrong. period.
Rocket Blowers: Sucks in as much dust as it blows off, weak.
Panchro: Snake oil, windex works just as good.

What I use:
Various chemicals including acetone, denatured alcohol, and ethanol, each for different purposes.
Kimwipes, 4.4x8.4 in, folded, dampened corner with chemicals (never dry) and used ONCE then thrown away.
Compressed air filtered several times over. Canned air is fine as well, just don't shake or tilt the can.
Natural warm breath combined with chemicals/kimwipe. Cuts right through certain types of stains like spit from the AC that tried to clean an element with his AC/DC t-shirt

Most important is NEVER EVER use the same contact material more than once. I've gone through hundreds of thousands of Kimwipes. I did the math once a few years ago here on the forum.. I'm sure it's more than hundreds of thousands by now.
Click to expand...


Perfect! What are each of those chemicals different uses, if you don't mind me asking...

And Kimwipes = Kimtech wipes i'm guessing?

Also thats what i had figured about the blowers!

Thanks a lot!
 
It depends on what you're trying to get off of the element. I would imagine that the average operator doesn't see the variety of contaminations I see on a daily basis. For example, warm breath and alcohol will work great for getting saliva stains off of an element (more common than you think, from people trying to blow dust off manually). Whereas fingerprints take a much different approach with a petroleum based chemical we use, similar to the common de-greaser but without the fruity scents and pretty packaging. Acetone is a great cleanser but is a bit aggressive for sensitive areas that may have edge paint or plastic housings that acetone will dissolve.
 
Matthew Duclos said:
It depends on what you're trying to get off of the element. I would imagine that the average operator doesn't see the variety of contaminations I see on a daily basis. For example, warm breath and alcohol will work great for getting saliva stains off of an element (more common than you think, from people trying to blow dust off manually). Whereas fingerprints take a much different approach with a petroleum based chemical we use, similar to the common de-greaser but without the fruity scents and pretty packaging. Acetone is a great cleanser but is a bit aggressive for sensitive areas that may have edge paint or plastic housings that acetone will dissolve.
Click to expand...

Ok I see. Well for instance, I currently have a few small rain drops on mine... And some dust
 
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