Cleaning your camera lens.....the best way.

Camera lenses are constructed with extreme precision in order to provide the sharpest and highest contrast photograph possible. Photographers spend hundreds to thousands of dollars to get the perfect lens for the shots they want. So it should be no surprise that keeping a lens clean is very important to getting the maximum performance from it. Some older lenses have scratches, dirt and haze on them. Photographers are often told that the finished photograph will not show the dirt and scratches. It is true that a piece of dirt on the lens will usually not show up as a blob on the photo, however dirt, scratches and haze will definitely affect the sharpness and contrast of the photo. So how should we clean our lenses?

Lens cleaning fluid which evaporates quickly is frequently sold along with soft cotton or microfiber cloths to clean the lens without damaging it. While this combination works to some extent, a sheen is often left on the lens which can be seen by closely inspecting it under a light. The sheen will will resemble oil floating on water. This is not really acceptable.

So what is the best way to clean a lens? Simply use tap water and an all-cotton Q-Tip. The procedure is to wet one end of the Q-Tip under a cold tap and shake off the excess water. Then apply the wet end to the lens glass and gently wipe it around. On a large lens, it makes sense to work on a section at a time; possibly a quarter or half of the surface. Roll the Q-Tip between the fingers while wiping and the damp tip will remove the dirt and film from the lens. As the water begins to dry, switch ends of the Q-Tip and use the dry end to finish the job. The last of the water will quickly evaporate leaving the glass completely clean, dry and undamaged. Obviously this method will not repair existing scratches but the use of a pure cotton tip will prevent any new ones. If it is a removable lens, turn it around and repeat the process on the rear element. Do not allow water to get onto any other areas of the lens, particularly any electronic contacts.

And there you have it.

Colin Ward Photography