Best way to clean a lens...

[nickds7]

I've said it before on other forums but the single best method for cleaning optical surfaces is collodion, the method of champions.


Look it up here:


http://www.webari.com/oldscope/atspages/techtips.htm


The way it works is very simple. You basically pour it on the lens, let it dry, and peel it off. It works 100%, leaves no residue or streaks, and has no risk of scratching or damaging the coatings.


Then again...I looked here as well, and found a very negative report of this method:


http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1304


So make of it what you will.

Wow, never heard of that method before. Sounds promising.. I'm guessing the part about creating a 'dam' so the collodion doesn't seep into the lens, isn't that necessary on an L lens?

[DavidEccleston]

I'm guessing the part about creating a 'dam' so the collodion doesn't seep into the lens, isn't that necessary on an L lens?

Most (all?) L lenses aren't weather sealed without a filter, so, no, I think it will seep into L lenses too.

[btaylor]

I find a lens pen is the best product to use. As long as you blow off any dust with a rocket blower (or similar product) there's not much risk of scratching the lens element.


I'm not a big fan of using cleaning solutions as I once ruined a B + W UV filter's coating doing it that way.


With the lens pen you can remove pretty stubborn smudges etc without risking scratching.