Dennis, I have seen the damage that can be done accidentally with a lens pen. I'm not simply saying you've been lucky, I'm sure there are plenty of lens pen users who've used them for years, but I am aware of more than one lens pen advocate who has inadvertently damaged an 'alpha' lens.
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Cleaning my Swaros (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter LIL’Wren57
- Start date
Harry Stottle
Unknown-Known
In the past, everybody used to blow the lenses with a bulb puffer, then use a brush if necessary, then breath on the lenses and gently wipe with a lens cloth.
Now, I am told I must not breath on the lens - but no one knows why when asked.
One person said it causes fogging. How can can it do that when the binoculars are sealed and waterproof to 5m and the outside of the lens has been gently wiped with a lens cloth?
Please enlighten me.
Now, I am told I must not breath on the lens - but no one knows why when asked.
One person said it causes fogging. How can can it do that when the binoculars are sealed and waterproof to 5m and the outside of the lens has been gently wiped with a lens cloth?
Please enlighten me.
I never use a lens pen, they always seem so prone to smearing any residual dust/dirt particles from a previous cleaning session over the lens again. I use a good quality blower brush to remove any loose particles, followed by a gentle wipe over with a microfiber cloth. For those rare occasions where this does not help I may resort to ROR or Bader Optical Wonder cleaning fluid.
MiddleRiver
Well-known member
1) Blower (maybe a little brush use if something stuck). Hold bins inverted so dust/grit falls off)
2) Zeiss lens wipe gently in circles
3) Q-tip gently in circles if needed
Running water only if truly atrocious, in which case flush as step 2 (always try to grit off with air first)
I use lens caps (eyepiece cap in stays on and I’m used to flicking off very quickly when needed). In a week of daily birding I might need to clean once at most, unless caught in storm or having ridden in open vehicle under dusty conditions.
BTW, using paper towels is a bad idea. If nothing better available (q-tip and lens wipe) I’d rather use an old (clean) all-cotton t-shirt or handkerchief. If you don’t believe the abrasive nature of paper towels (wood is what they are made of), trying wiping your arse with them for a week or so ;-)
2) Zeiss lens wipe gently in circles
3) Q-tip gently in circles if needed
Running water only if truly atrocious, in which case flush as step 2 (always try to grit off with air first)
I use lens caps (eyepiece cap in stays on and I’m used to flicking off very quickly when needed). In a week of daily birding I might need to clean once at most, unless caught in storm or having ridden in open vehicle under dusty conditions.
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BTW, using paper towels is a bad idea. If nothing better available (q-tip and lens wipe) I’d rather use an old (clean) all-cotton t-shirt or handkerchief. If you don’t believe the abrasive nature of paper towels (wood is what they are made of), trying wiping your arse with them for a week or so ;-)
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Harry Stottle
Unknown-Known
Here is another view:
and Swarovski's:
and Swarovski's:
Yes. It has three speeds and a dust filter to remove dusts from the air to avoid lens damages. This product or a similar product would come handy because they are portable.
So fast. I really think it is very good tool for everyone to have. Hope it will useful to you. I will also buy one when my finances get better 😃
Regarding cleaning I can´t get a decent result on the NL 32 objectives. The oculars are simple as heck to clean and leave them perfect but the objectives are a pain. I am nervous to damage te glass or the coatings.
As many mentioned earlier, 1st blower then brush, moist cloth then dry cloth everything provided in swarovski´s cleaning set. The residue that the cleaning fluid leaves is a pain to remove with the dry cloth, I wipe and wipe (as soft as I can) Introducing the folded cloth provided in the cleaning set.
......any advise in 32mm Objectives ?
As many mentioned earlier, 1st blower then brush, moist cloth then dry cloth everything provided in swarovski´s cleaning set. The residue that the cleaning fluid leaves is a pain to remove with the dry cloth, I wipe and wipe (as soft as I can) Introducing the folded cloth provided in the cleaning set.
......any advise in 32mm Objectives ?
Hermann
Well-known member
Quite amazing. I don't know how many threads there have been about cleaning binoculars over the years. Do people ever use the forum search? It's there for a reason.
Cleaning can be really simple. Here's what Canon says about cleaning the 10x42 IS L:
If it's just a fingerprint or something like that I blow off any dirt and clean the lens with a microfibre cloth. End of story.
Oh, and use a rainguard. Remember: "The jam butty always lands with the jam side downwards on the clean eyepieces."
Hermann
Cleaning can be really simple. Here's what Canon says about cleaning the 10x42 IS L:
The manual can be found on the Canon website: 10x42L IS WP - Support – Laden Sie Treiber, Software und Handbücher herunterladen. They do warn, however, not to put the binoculars in a washing machine:
As most modern binoculars are waterproof, I clean my waterproof binoculars under running water when they're are really dirty. Then dry off with a clean microfibre cloth. On a seawatch I tend to wash off the salt with water from my water bottle. (Tea of coffee doesn't work so well.)
If it's just a fingerprint or something like that I blow off any dirt and clean the lens with a microfibre cloth. End of story.
Oh, and use a rainguard. Remember: "The jam butty always lands with the jam side downwards on the clean eyepieces."
Hermann
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In my little experience with my MHG, it isn't a really good idea to put it under running water. It washes away the grease from the eyecups and ends up on the lenses
I suspect Dennis does not hold on to any one binocular long enough to see the cumulative damage a lens pen can do over a number of years!
Definitely won´t use water if the Bino manufactures sell/produce cleaning products for lens maintenance. I suppose that the liquid given will be suitable for their coating formulas.
Water will leave a residue too and I will have to wipe the lenses anyway. Some areas tap water contains quite some lime.
Water will leave a residue too and I will have to wipe the lenses anyway. Some areas tap water contains quite some lime.
Ok ok ok I see your nationality by the flag under you user name. DO not take it so seriously . Have some slack POR FAVOR !I guess the cleaning solutions provided do not harm any coatings, either eyeglasses, screen or bino lens coatings.
.... I know you were not serious .... but ... better if I defend what I said.
Thank you for your reply. Really I didn’t want to offend you or something. I really had that doubt 😃 By the way the flag belongs to the country I currently live. My real nationality is different 😊
I guess the cleaning solutions provided do not harm any coatings, either eyeglasses, screen or bino lens coatings.
.... I know you were not serious .... but ... better if I defend what I said.
If I use water for a lens, it will be distilled water. I think any lens cleaning fluid is suitable for lens cleaning, regardless of the brand.
Hermann
Well-known member
BTW, before Zeiss started marketing their own lens cleaning fluid, they recommended a mixture of distilled water and isopropanol. So much for the idea one shouldn't use water.
Hermann
If I develop a roll of film, all photo chemicals are mixed, and/or, diluted with distilled water. After development, the film is rinsed with distilled water utilizing the Ilford rinse method, a method that primarily conserves water use. In my local region, the tap water meets a high standard for consumption, but does contain varies minerals that can lead to 'spotting' on film. I do wash my eyeglasses with soap and tap water and dry, no issues there. If I were to rinse the binoculars with tap water for the force of pressure, they would get further rinsing with distilled water. I buy distilled water by the gallon and always have a supply on hand.
