What is the best lens cleaning kit to go with?

[rx_morph]

Does anyone know of a high quality digital camera lens cleaning kit and where you might purchase one? I'm in search of one that will not damage the lens on my Samsung S85. I searched quickly for some on Google but I don't want to invest in a cheap kit that might cause scratches and whatnot to my lens. I would greatly appreciate it if a few of you would let me know which cleaning kits you use to care for your camera lens. Thanks.

[tim11]

I bought a lens tissue that came with cleaning solution a few years back that I only use for stubborn stains on the lens. Many camera shops have them in stock.

However, for normal cleaning I just use microfiber cloth. Make sure you buy a quality ones. Dust the lens gently with the cloth first to get rid off large dirt particles then I breathe on the lens and gently wipe it. Only now and then that I use the lens tissue with cleaning solution. For the camera body, damp facial tissue should do the trick but I also use a different microfiber cleaning cloth.

[rx_morph]

Thanks for the quick reply and information, tim11. I currently just see a few spots on the lens but they don't seem to be affecting the pictures I take. In fact, they almost look like small dried water spots. The only microfiber cloth I have on hand is one from wal-mart that comes in a little plastic carrying case. Even though it says it can be used for cameras, I'm thinking it would be better to search for a better one? If I don't use that then I will probably look for some type of cleaning kit with a cloth at our local Office Max store before searching on the Internet. I'm just not sure if I trust the wal-mart cloth...any thoughts? Thanks again.

[tim11]

If the cloth is of quality material it should be alright. I have seen some that have lints falling all over from it; which defeat the idea of microfiber cloth that should be lint-free. I wouldn't use anything with such poor quality.
Make sure you dust off the large particle first before breathing on the lens and wipe it; all very gently of course.

[Beowulff]

Pick up a (free?) microfibre spectacle lens cleaning cloth from your local friendly opticians.

No point in spending big money on lens cleaning gear in my opinion — I've even been known to use my T shirt when I'm out and about, and I've yet to damage a lens in something like 50 years of using cameras.

Cheers :)

[tim11]

...— I've even been known to use my T shirt when I'm out and about....
I used to do that with my Sony camcorder in the days before I knew any better. :eek: And I also used facial tissues. No visible damage, but really that's a big NO NO! Are you still doing that, Beowulf?
If you can't find anything better a clean 100% cotton cloth might do the job but not the pure cotton T-shirt that you are wearing; for one thing you'd never know where the stain/dirts are.

[rx_morph]

Alright, I will probably try that microfiber cloth and breathing on it. The quality of the cloth seems to be good. The lens if fairly small of course so it shouldn't take many wipes. However I still may pick up a small cleaning kit from a local store I was finally able to find. I believe they said it came with a cloth, solution and brush - not any "rocket blower" though that I have been reading about. I hear good old fashion lung power works just as well (provided you don't spit on the lens in the process).


Originally Posted by Beowulff View Post
...— I've even been known to use my T shirt when I'm out and about....

I'm too paranoid already about scratching the lens with a microfiber cloth and/or brush, lol. However if you've been doing that for some 50 years then I guess I shouldn't be all that concerned with scratching it with actual cleaning material. :p

Thanks.

[Beowulff]

I'm too paranoid already about scratching the lens with a microfiber cloth and/or brush, lol. However if you've been doing that for some 50 years then I guess I shouldn't be all that concerned with scratching it with actual cleaning material.

It's my humble opinion that today's modern, coated lenses are pretty hard to damage/scratch anyway, and that overcomplicated cleaning kits are in many cases marketing overkill.

Although I wouldn't say that about cleaning a $12,000 Nikon AF-S 600mm f/4D IF-ED II lens I must say LOL.

Cheers :)

[rx_morph]

It's my humble opinion that today's modern, coated lenses are pretty hard to damage/scratch anyway, and that overcomplicated cleaning kits are in many cases marketing overkill.

Although I wouldn't say that about cleaning a $12,000 Nikon AF-S 600mm f/4D IF-ED II lens I must say LOL.

Cheers :)

Yes, you are probably right about the lenses today. However the kit I was talking about getting is just under $10 so it really isn't all that bad. I plan on buying it from a camera store that's been around here for years and years (somehow I didn't know about this obviously lol), so hopefully it will be adequate enough for cleaning modern DC lenses. They are temporarily out of stock though.

[JTL]

Many "cleaners" can leave a residue on the lens and/or actually damage the coating. So, use an untreated micro fiber cloth as you plan and if you must use a cleaner for grease or a stubborn spot, then Kodak lens cleaner is probably the safest of those available retail. If you have access to ethanol/everclear (95%)...that's the best cleaner IMO...

[rx_morph]

Okay, thanks for the info. Kodak cleaner such as this (http://cameras.pricegrabber.com/optical-cleaning-supplies/m/730427/st=product/sv=title/)? I noticed in the manual that came with it says to use a soft brush and if that doesn't work use lens cleaning paper (http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-Lens-cleaning-kit/dp/B0000AQJ5Z) and fluid. I'm sure blowing any loose dirt off of it and then breathing on the lens and wiping it gently (with an untreated microfiber cloth) should do though, provided the spots aren't stubborn.