bcgnz
Active member
It seems like i might need to find some specialty water made for lens cleaning? Does any company make them?…
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how to wipe/clean rear lens back to factory condition?
- Thread starter bcgnz
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Krümelkraft
Well-known member
I recommend to use a drop of sensor cleaning liquid on a clean cloth to remove the organic residuals of the Zeiss wipes (I don't use them anymore because they leave a lot of residuals). Sensor cleaner doesn't leave any residuals. Don't put the liquid directly on the glass to avoid that it "creeps" around the corner of the glass to the inside of the lens.
Then use a dry cloth.
Always use clean or new microfibre clothes.
Deionized water or distilled water won't remove organic residuals.
Then use a dry cloth.
Always use clean or new microfibre clothes.
Deionized water or distilled water won't remove organic residuals.
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When I need to clean a lens I use the same things I use for my telescopes which is as optically safe as you can get and safe for coatings. Kimwipes and optical glass cleaner from StellarVue in my case. I also try to use the safest possible method. This is a good example for a telescope but would apply to anything photography lens.
Surprising that they use cotton swabs for the cleaning, and say never touch the glass with the microfiber cloth.
bcgnz
Active member
is it this version https://www.stellarvue.com/alc-s4-stellarvue-lens-cleaner-4-oz-spray-bottle/ ?
Do you know what is in it?
Yes, that’s the one I use. No, i don’t specifically know what it is it. StellarVue is a good company of high end optics and good customer service. I suggest reaching out to them for any info.
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I think it’s because most people don’t properly clean a microfiber cloth and inadvertently rub tiny grit all over the lens. I think only sterile lint-free cotton swabs are what they want people to do. I actually use some old APS-C sensor swabs. Basically the same thing and I have a bunch of them.
bcgnz
Active member
Thanks - would you share an links to a suggested swap product?
I use AAWipes Sensor Cleaning Swabs. I got it from Amazon. Individually wrapped. 20 for $10.
bcgnz
Active member
Thank you so much!
One thing I’m confused about - how is the cleaning swap different from the using Kim tech wipes?
bcgnz
Active member
Thank you so much!
One thing I’m confused about - how is the AAwipes cleaning swap different from the using Kim tech wipe ?
Sometime I will use distilled water. I will dip a Q-tip in distilled water and gently in a circular motion swap the area in question. I then take a piece of lens paper or lens cloth and wipe it clean. That will usually remove the residue you are seeing. Just be gentile.
Not much really. It’s just that you have more specific control with a swab.
I have used PANCRO "Professional Lens Cleaner" with PEC PAD wipes and it works just fine, but I have also used Zeiss lens wipes, but usually only in the field. The biggest downside is that PANCRO is expensive. Ken
breakthrough.photography
Lens & Filters Cleaner
PANCRO® is the trusted solution for many of the world's most valuable and expensive lenses.
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Webbie!
Active member
If one uses a fresh microfiber cloth (newly opened) it lessens the risk of any particulates or oils messing up the cleaning process. Also, I read about ROR a few years ago on a DP Review segment on cleaning lenses. I have found nothing better for cleaning lenses than this.
I bought ROR when I found there was tree sap on the front element of a lens. ROR was the only thing I tried which removed it.
ajrmd
Well-known member
Blower and lenspen. Safe for all coatings, especially good at removing organics. If there is some salt, or visible grit which won’t come off easily with a blower, then I use some distilled water on a pec pad to remove the visible contaminant followed by a swipe of a lenspen. I’ve never scratched a lens or coating using this method.
Roy
Well-known member
They are probably small smears that you can see.
lenses from film days were safer because rear elements were rarely coated.
Be gentle with wipes - even good ones can remove AG coating.
Distilled water and a (real) cotton stick is the safest way to clean lens elements...
SteveReid
Member
Cotton balls and bottle water.