Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Lens cleaning preferences?

T

Tim Whitcomb

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
3,448
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Portland, OR
Curious to hear opinions on what people A/C's DoP's etc use to maintain their lenses day to day... favorite: brushes, blowers, cleaners, etc.

ANy other Tips, tricks, or conspiracy theories regarding lens cleaning are all welcome.

Thanks in advance!:thumbsup:
 
Hi Tim.

Do you remember this thread from back in May? Especially this great post...

Matthew Duclos said:
I'll disclose my exact setup except for a few materials that aren't commonly available.
I realize that most of this may not be doable in the field, but I don't work in the field.. So adapt as you see fit.

Every time I clean an element (several dozen per day for the past 10 years.. Do the math.) I start with compressed air. Canned air works fine. The chemicals in the cans only hurt the element if you tip it or shake it and get that awesome blast of frozen air (I know you've tried it too). However, it is expensive and at the shop we use an air compressor that is filtered many times over to keep moisture and debris out of the lines. Once the large debris and dust is free from the element, I proceed with one of several chemicals depending on the situation.
First, I NEVER use a lens cloth or a brush of any kind. These tools grab onto dust and dirt and just spread them around after every use... Pointless. I use Kimwipes to clean each element and most importantly, I NEVER use a kimwipe more than once. After it has touched the element, it goes in the trash... PERIOD.
I use Acetone, Methanol, or a petroleum based liquid, such as Naptha. I only use these in their pure forms, additives can be counterproductive. As I said before, it depends on the situation. I spray whichever cleaning solution I choose directly onto the tissue and wipe from the center of the element, out to the edge in a spiral pattern. Never start from the edge as this is where and leftover dirt and dust will hide and may carry through to the center of the element leaving a nice scratch along the way. Never allpy too much pressure and never push the tissue, only pull it along. Acetone works great for just about everything but it has a tough time cutting through grease. There are some situations that just require a little breath of warm air.
Here's a test... Blow on your glass really hard and I'm sure you get little tiny spit spots from your mouth into the lens. after these little spots dry, try cleaning them off with whatever you normally use. It will take many passes with the tissue or cloth you are using... Now try it with a little breath on the element, it comes right off...
I've thought about making a short video that would detail how to properly clean an element. Would anyone be interested in such content?
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Click to expand...
 
The products we use are, Ultra Clarity and Rosco lens tissue. Selvits get used also but not for the glass.
 
Thanks so much! I had missed this and search is yielding some strange results lately
 
Jamison Stark said:
Hi Tim.

I've thought about making a short video that would detail how to properly clean an element. Would anyone be interested in such content?
Click to expand...

Matt, I saw you suggested this, would it be possible to do this ? I think it would be a great resource and appreciated by many. Dont know how I can help but will if I can.

Dave
 
Dave Blackham said:
Matt, I saw you suggested this, would it be possible to do this ? I think it would be a great resource and appreciated by many. Dont know how I can help but will if I can.

Dave
Click to expand...

It's still on my back burner.
It would be difficult to show some of the finer details in a video,
but the basics can be conveyed.
 
Paper towels and Windex
:wink:



I have Pancro and Rosco in my kit, but my go-to lens fluid is Zeiss lens cleaner made by Nanofilm. It is a little more detergent-y than others, but is perfect for finger smudges and most other dirt. It seems to leave coated lenses looking much cleaner with less 'polishing' than other cleaners. For me, the less you have to rub the lens the better so Zeiss wins.

Pancro works really well on uncoated filters (like most Tiffens). Rosco seems quite harsh to me so I use it for removing sticky tape and not much more.

I know Mr. Duclos is a lens guru. Are you ever concerned that the solvents in your arsenal will harm lens coatings, smear paint or dissolve glue? I would think Acetone could do some damage but maybe I'm wrong.
 
Last edited:
Acetone has never been an issue. The ONLY time I've seen any of the chemicals in my arsenal have any adverse effect on a coating is when the coating was bad to begin with.
As for "lens cleaning solutions", I've seen these stain lenses permanently if not completely removed after a wipe.
 
I've been using 80 grit for some time now, but it seems to be taking too much of the lens coating off. Should I switch to something like a 400 grit sandpaper? :yikes:
 
Chisel.


Actually, I rather like Purosol.
 
Matthew Duclos said:
As for "lens cleaning solutions", I've seen these stain lenses permanently if not completely removed after a wipe.
Click to expand...
Are you referring to "eye glass" or standard photography type cleaners here?
 
Tim Sutherland said:
Can't go wrong with KimWipes. I like Pancro as a cleaning solution. It's definately not the cheapest but it works very very well and for me it's worth it.
Click to expand...

Yep- Pancro and KimWipes have been my best friends for a long time, and worth every penny IMO.
 
I was always told breathing on a lens would introduce acids from your mouth onto the element. Is this an urban legend?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top