Quality lens cleaners?
I'm after recommendations for cleaning camera lenses.
Are there any that you'd avoid like the plague, and are there any that you won't go without? Many thanks! |
Avoid
- licking the lens! - Using a beer coaster! - Your sleeve. Use - A good blower. (rubber not plastic!) I have a Pho-Tech black blower about the size of an orange. It has a removeable nozzle so it packs up quite well in the bag. Surprsingly I bought this blower in New Zealand. I guess they can't be without good blowers over there! - A microfibre cloth. any will do. I have used a canon branded one for a while now and it works a treat. I really should get another as a back up. - Buy the skylight filter to go over the front of all your lenses. Works a treat for those accidental fingerprints on the lens itself! Just go into your local reputable camera store and they'll have the goods! David.M. p.s. Failing that Nige, just do a search (which I hope you already have done) on dpreview.com. I'm sure they have heaps there! ;) |
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blowers
David,
What part of a sheep would be deemed suitable for a blower. My guess is that it would only come from non desexed MALE sheep. (Also known as Rams-ay) Barry Robson (Alias Gerald Hatrick) |
.:D :D :D
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I use a Spudz lens cleaner which is a microfibre cloth with a tiny little bag that it can be tucked back into, also has a clip to attach to your camera back, keyring etc.
I used to use a UV(0) filter in front of my lens but my photography guy made a good point, why pay a fortune for a good lens then throw a cheap peice of glass in front of it. |
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Professionals don't put UV filters on their lenses for no reason. |
I'd rather replace a $60 UV filter than a $1500 lens.
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I agree Browneye. What happens if you have a $3500 dollar lens and a stone hits the glass. all of my lenses have filters on them for that reason. |
Definitely look for the Hakuba LensPen. It's extremely convenient and cleans perfectly - definitely the best accessory I've gotten for a while.
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You're right Gabriel, probably is a bit of a generalisation, however the point I was trying to make is that you at least put something in front of the actual lense!
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Has never affected the shots i have taken. sold lots as well. |
I have found that my shots are clearer without the filter in front of the lens. However I use a $300 Sigma 70-300mm Macro so its not exactly L Glass. If something ever did happen to the lens $300 is nothing to cry over.
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To use or not to use, that is the question??
For aviation photography I think it pays to have the filter on the lens. I'd say if you were a pro photog and you were doing studio work and the like, then I wouldn't bother. I do however remove the filter on occasions when shooting into the sun. Nothing worse than filter reflections all over the shot! While in Sydney a few years back, I had a cheapy lens ($300) and I dropped the whole body and lens. Completely smashed the filter on the front, but not a single piece of damage or scratch on the camera or lens. I was glad to have paid for the replacement filter and the $30 charge for removing the old smashed and twisted filter! Sure beats paying money that you don't have to fork out for nothing! So, I guess it comes down to personal choice. Can you see the effects of having the filter on the front or not? I personally like the little piece of insurance sitting on the front of the lens, albeit sometimes 10% of the lens price! David.M. |
Even a good quality UV filter is less than the cost of a lens...
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If we have insurance for our cameras why are we so worried about damaging a lens?
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Perhaps not all people have insurance...
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Please do tell us what your excess is to make a claim on your camera Nick. If it's more than $60 wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy a UV filter??
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Excess is $100. And for that I could claim the camera plus both lenses. If a UV filter means the same quality shots for you that's fine but for me it seems to make a difference so that's why I don'y use one.
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I use Rosco Lens Tissue with cleaner. I book of 100 sheets and fluid is about $10-$15 from places like Videocraft.
Or just any glass cleaning fluid is easy to get from any optometrist, just don't use a no name type glass cleaner. |
Jethro, I was told not to use any fluid when cleaning lenses by a lady at Camera House Parramatta. However I have always thought it is needed on most occasions to remove as much dust as possible. I'll invest in some of the stuff you use.
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Your camera 'expert' also told you not to use a filter too Nick.
Paul |
Generally I stay 'dry' with the Rosco sheets only.
I only use the fluid when cleaning my right camera up after some major work. (I am talking about a broadcast TV camera with a $20 grand of Cannon lens on the front) But I treat my stills the same. With fluid, you use the smallest amount. Here is a couple suppliers web pages: http://www.videocraft.com.au/cat/ind...duct_id=163938 https://www.gettingcreative.com.au/p...roducts_id=239 JH |
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Additionally, the better quality filter multicoatings are scratch-resistant and water and dirt repellent. |
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I think I'll stick to his opinions over your "less qualified?" repertoire? |
Well, blow me down!
I never thought I'd see the day when Martha Stewart Living would get mentioned on this aviation forum:eek::eek::eek: And please Nick, DO NOT EVER LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN.....EVER!!!!!!!!! |
And I never thought I'd see the day when a lens cleaning discussion ran to three pages of posts . . . . .
There is no right or wrong answer where the use of protective filter is concerned. More a case of personal preference and risk assessment. And as these messages prove, the pros are as much divided on the issue as us mere amateurs. |
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So now I don't use a filter 80% of the time, only if I'm in high glare or adverse conditions (sand / salt spray) where the filter can help the lens protection. As to cleaning the lens (back to Nige' original Q) - a clean microfiber cloth is good, I also use the cleaning fluid I got to clean the sensor. BUT I don't apply the fluid directly to the lens, but to the cleaning cloth / paper. |
Now now, leave jailbird Martha alone:D
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I never thought I'd see a 25 page thread about doughnuts either, but well, stranger things have been known to happen....
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Hahah that's right, you don't have any... So HAH! Never happened... :D |
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