New topic!!! How often do you clean your lenses?

On a regular basis? Before every outing? Only when you actually see
something on the lens? When you see something on the photos? And do
you always clean both ends?

And what method(s) do you use under what conditions?

Do you always carry a liquid cleaner with you?

In article , Bill W
wrote:

On a regular basis? Before every outing? Only when you actually see
something on the lens? When you see something on the photos? And do
you always clean both ends?

only if i see something worth removing.

dust makes very little difference. see lensrentals' tests.

And what method(s) do you use under what conditions?

lenspen.

Do you always carry a liquid cleaner with you?

no.

In article , Tony Cooper
wrote:

Once in awhile I'll get a fingerprint on the lens because I use a
Black Rapid strap with my camera low on my hip and inadvertently touch
the lens when reaching for the camera. In that case, I use a Kodak
lens cleaner solution. I think I've been using the same small bottle
of lens cleaner for at least two years. Maybe longer.

try a lens cap.

On 9/17/2015 9:41 PM, Bill W wrote:
On a regular basis? Before every outing? Only when you actually see
something on the lens? When you see something on the photos? And do
you always clean both ends?

And what method(s) do you use under what conditions?

Do you always carry a liquid cleaner with you?


I keep all my glass covered at all times. I routinely use a rocket
blower to get rid of dust, before and after using the lens. I do a quick
inspection after taking the lens off. I try to clean at home, if necessary.


--
PeterN

On 9/18/2015 1:36 AM, Tony Cooper wrote:
On Thu, 17 Sep 2015 21:51:20 -0700, wtrplnet wrote:

On 9/17/2015 6:43 PM, nospam wrote:
In , Bill W
wrote:

On a regular basis? Before every outing? Only when you actually see
something on the lens? When you see something on the photos? And do
you always clean both ends?

only if i see something worth removing.

dust makes very little difference. see lensrentals' tests.

And what method(s) do you use under what conditions?

lenspen.

Do you always carry a liquid cleaner with you?

no.

Only when needed. I make a point of preventing the lens getting dirty in
the first place. First line of defense, compressed air,

I have no personal position on this, but most people who do take a
position say to avoid compressed air. Personally, I use a Giotto
"Rocket" for dust.

My personal position is to never used compressed air. Rightly or wrongly
I think there is a possibility of liquid propellant spraying. The
rocket works just fine.



Once in awhile I'll get a fingerprint on the lens because I use a
Black Rapid strap with my camera low on my hip and inadvertently touch
the lens when reaching for the camera. In that case, I use a Kodak
lens cleaner solution. I think I've been using the same small bottle
of lens cleaner for at least two years. Maybe longer.



I have never had a dust, dirt, or fingerprint lens problem that was
evidenced in a photograph, though. Sensor dust, yes.


In general dust on a lens will not cause a major problem, unless you are
shooting directly into a light source, or there are specular highlights

I have a friend who owns a camera repair shop, so about once a year I
take the camera and all lenses in to him for cleaning and for a sensor
cleaning. I have no problem doing it myself, but I enjoy seeing him
and chatting with him so it's a social occasion as much as anything
else. Sometimes he charges me, and sometimes not.

applied gently
to remove dust accumulation. I rarely get a serious smudge on a lens but
if I do I use common lens cleaner liquid on a microfiber cloth and
gently wipe it away. Since I live near the sea and sometimes accumulate
salty film on the lens I do the same in that case.

In the field I only carry a Lenspen, which works a lot better than
should be expected of it!

My standard for lens cleaning is 'the less the better'. Always start
with the least aggressive procedure and then escalate as needed. In
fifty years I've never damaged a lens or lens coating.


--
PeterN