Reader's Comments - Index of - Free

Cleaning Cameras
A note about the diapers: Make sure the diapers have been machine washed numerous
times with NO fabric softener. Also, rinse them well in DISTILLED water to remove all
residue.
-- Marika Buchberger, December 29, 2000
In my experience with cleaning multi-coated filters, optical glass can be cleaned to
perfection with the following methods:
1. Simple dust specks or lint: Use a blower bulb or blower bulb/brush. (obtainable at photo
stores, chemical stores, pharmacies) Blow off the dust using the bulb. Sometimes a
combination of brushing and then blowing works best. Make sure that if you use a brush,
that it has never been in contact with anything oily, like your skin. If it has, you'll need to
clean it with alcohol first. If you only have a blower and no brush, lightly knocking the dust
particles loose with a clean 100% cotton cloth first, and then blowing works. In some cases,
lint will be stuck in the rim of your filter. In that case, careful use of tweezers (I reccomend
swiss army tweezers) to pull out the stuck lint.
2. Dust, filmy residue, or specks: Use pure water (tap water is fine) with a 100% pure soft
cotton cloth (a perfectly clean t-shirt is fine, but no cotton balls, they're too linty). In the
case of mounted lenses, apply the water to the cloth. Then wipe the glass clean with the
damp cloth, and then wipe dry with a dry part of the cloth. Do not let the water dry on it's
own!
In the case of filters, remove the filter from the lens, then hold the filter under the tap and
rinse it completely with water, both sides, and then immediately begin to wipe the whole
filter with cotton cloth until dry. If there is dust or lint left, go to method 1.
3. Figerprints and oily residue: use ethanol and a 100% pure soft cotton cloth. A 95%
ethanol, 5% isopropyl alcohol blend is perfect. This can be obtained from chemical supply
stores. (I recommend tri-ess in Burbank, http://www.tri-esssciences.com)
Apply the ethanol to the cloth and then wipe the glass with it. Make sure to dry it off
completely using a dry part of the cloth. Do not let it evaporate without wiping. If there is
residue, proceed to method 2. If there is only dust or lint left, proceed to method 1.
4. If and ONLY IF there is a residue that could not be removed by methods 2 or 3, use a
lens cleaner like Residual Oil Remover, ROR', and a 100% cotton cloth. Apply the lens
cleaner to the cloth, wipe the glass with it, and then dry as best as possible. There will be a
residue, so proceed to method 3. In general, filter manufacturers like Hoya, do not
recommend use of lens cleaners. They say in some cases they can ruin the coatings. (That
didn't happen though with my Hoya Super HMC UV(0)).
http://www.photo.net/learn/cleaning-cameras (12 of 19) [5/15/2002 7:15:53 PM]