Cleaning a camera lens?

Question

I have a nikon D50 slr with the attachable lens. I lost the lens cap a few months back and haven't had the chance to get another one. I keep it as locked away as possible. But stuff gets all over it. What can I do to clean it?

Answer 1

Camera lenses have "anti-reflection" coatings on the surfaces which are very vulnerable to scratching. So what ever you do never not wipe a dry lens with anything.

Pick up a small bottle of lens cleaner and "lens tissue" from any camera store. (DO NOT USE ANYTHING ELSE.) Also pick up a small lens brush. It comes attached to a small rubber-like bulb that you squeeze to blow a puff of air over the lens. Use the brush to LIGHTLY remove any remaining particles. Then put a few drops of the cleaning liquid on the lens. Take a lens tissue and fold it into a small square (about 1 inch). Use the tissue to draw the liquid over the surface of the lens working from the center to the edge. You might have to repeat several times to get the lens completely clean.

I wouldn't put plastic wrap over the lens. It will "outgas" leaving a hard to remove film residue on the lens. Every time you clean the lens you risk damaging the surface.

Finally, for a few bucks, buy a new lens cap.

Answer 2

Just to back up what amused said. DO NOT use a cloth and windex or another similar domestic cleaning product as this may damage the anti-dispersion coating on the lens.

Get a proper lens cleaning kit available from any camera store. In it will be a blower/brush.

Start by using the blower to remove dust etc. If this cleans the lens, then stop there.

If the lens still isn't clean, use the brush in a circular motion to remove dust etc. If this cleans the lens then stop, don't do any more.

If the lens is still dirty with finger prints etc, then in the kit will be lens tissue and cleaning fluid. Wet the cleaning tissue (never use the tissue dry) and again use a circular motion to clean the lens.

Allow the lens to dry thoroughly before replacing the new lens cap which you bought when you bought the cleaning kit ;-)

If you remove the lens from the camera for cleaning, make sure you place the body cap on the camera. Getting dust inside a DSLR is a nightmare!

Answer 3

no not use a paper towel..or a regular towel..or anything with water..

they sell special cloths used especially for cleaning lenses..

they are usually at every electronics store..

the cloths are very soft and get all the dust and crap off..

just look for them or ask for them at the store..

good luck! =)

Answer 4

use windex and a soft cloth wrap palstic wrap around the lens until you can replace the cap

Answer 5

kiafran doesn't know what he is talking about; DO NOT USE PAPERTOWELS OR WINDEX!!! Use D.O.C. pre-moistened towellets or any other kind of eye glass cleaner.