wiping your eyepiece... with what? (1 Viewer)

[Thrupenney Bit]

Hi Gang,
I've just been out on a bird count, got caught in some drizzle and realised I hadn't put the rain guard on my eyepiece so had drops of water on it.
I resorted to using a tissue in my pocket, not ideal but needs must... so I was wondering what I should have used.

A friend uses a soft microfibre cloth, though I've often wondered if he should, and I have several old glasses cloths that come inside your glasses, which might be ok maybe...
I've never been sure what is recommended to keep your eyepieces clean on telescope ( or binoculars ) taking into consideration lens coatings used on modern optics.
so.... thoughts please!
best wishes
Q

 

[Mike Crawley]

I doubt that you would do any damage “dabbing” the drops of water with a tissue, and you would probably be fine gently wiping the lens.

For a serious clean, there’s a myriad of choices.
Both Swarovski and Zeiss sell lens cleaning wipes, presumably formulated in a way that doesn’t strip coatings from lenses.
Opticron, Viking and the RSPB sell cleaning kits.

Stand by for a wide selection of cleaning choices as members around the world log in

Good Luck

 

[Thrupenney Bit]

I doubt that you would do any damage “dabbing” the drops of water with a tissue, and you would probably be fine gently wiping the lens.

For a serious clean, there’s a myriad of choices.
Both Swarovski and Zeiss sell lens cleaning wipes, presumably formulated in a way that doesn’t strip coatings from lenses.
Opticron, Viking and the RSPB sell cleaning kits.

Stand by for a wide selection of cleaning choices as members around the world log in

Good Luck

Thanks Mike.
I haven't resorted to branded cleaning kits, but as you say, they must make products with an eye to clean their own manufactured goods. Perhaps I should treat myself.

I'm bracing myself for the deluge of replies... possibly!
cheers
Q

 

[litebeam]

Yes, treat yourself!
With the prices we pay for premium (flourite) glass it's a very small price to pay. A small, quality microcloth is ideal.

Fwiw, I keep my cloth in a small ziplock bag in the pocket to keep it dust and dirt-free. If we looked at that dirt under a microscope it would resemble jagged boulders. Rubbing that into our coated lenses is no bueno!

Rule of thumb: never wipe a dry lens, brush a dry lens.

 

[Thrupenney Bit]

Thanks Mike.
I haven't resorted to branded cleaning kits, but as you say, they must make products with an eye to clean their own manufactured goods. Perhaps I should treat myself.

I'm bracing myself for the deluge of replies... possibly!
cheers
Q

... it looks like the Swarovski lens kit includes a microfibre cloth, so perhaps my friend who also uses a Swaro scope, isn't far out in using one, though I suspect ismts a supermarket brand not Swarovski!

 

[Thrupenney Bit]

Yes, treat yourself!
With the prices we pay for premium (flourite) glass it's a very small price to pay. A small, quality microcloth is ideal.

Fwiw, I keep my cloth in a small ziplock bag in the pocket to keep it dust and dirt-free. If we looked at that dirt under a microscope it would resemble jagged boulders. Rubbing that into our coated lenses is no bueno!

Rule of thumb: never wipe a dry lens, brush a dry lens.

I think you might well have a point, and I should treat myself.
I'm aware dust is very abrasive, so the air bulb blower thing to blow it off makes sense.

I think I need something to pop in my bag for an event such as today, something to get the 'out in the field' rain or whatever off the scope.

 

[Ruff-Leg]

Get a retractable lens brush. It's the size of tube of lipstick, and cheap as chips. This and a micro-fiber cloth is all you need in the field.


Micro-fiber cloths that tuck into a neoprene bag.

 

[Thrupenney Bit]

Get a retractable lens brush. It's the size of tube of lipstick, and cheap as chips. This and a micro-fiber cloth is all you need in the field.
View attachment 1607741View attachment 1607742

Micro-fiber cloths that tuck into a neoprene bag.

View attachment 1607743

Thanks Ruff-Leg, that looks like the type of thing I need to head for.
I particularly like the microfibre cloths that tuck into their own bag - neat!

My telescope backpack carrier has a couple of small pockets, things like this will drop in easily!

 

[Hermann]

Micro-fibre cloths work just fine. I carry them in a small plastic bag. Don't forget to wash them from time to time. Rinse them carefully to get rid of any remnants of soap.

Before micro-fibre cloths arrived on the market, I always used a clean cotton hanky. Also worked just fine. In fact, if an eyepiece (or objective lens) is really wet, I find a cotton hanky works even better than a micro-fibre cloth.

Hermann

 

[Thrupenney Bit]

Micro-fibre cloths work just fine. I carry them in a small plastic bag. Don't forget to wash them from time to time. Rinse them carefully to get rid of any remnants of soap.

Before micro-fibre cloths arrived on the market, I always used a clean cotton hanky. Also worked just fine. In fact, if an eyepiece (or objective lens) is really wet, I find a cotton hanky works even better than a micro-fibre cloth.

Hermann

Thanks Hermann.
Since starting this thread I've been looking at retailers here.
Several sell microfibre cloths, some in small packable pouches to keep them clean which look ideal for packing in my bag or pocket. Seems like they're the way to go!

 

[4John]

I always used a clean cotton hanky. Also worked just fine. In fact, if an eyepiece (or objective lens) is really wet, I find a cotton hanky works even better than a micro-fibre cloth.

I still use a clean cotton hanky in the field. I breathe on the lens before using the hanky. I never, ever, dry wipe. That's the only cleaning I do in the field. I that's not enough I wait till I get home for deeper cleaner in clean conditions.

Sooner or later the lenses get "greasy" and/or dusty. I first turn the lens upside down and blow any dust/dirt/grit off the lenses using a blower with a rubber nozzle so any dirt/dust/grit particles fall off rather than go somewhere else on the lens. Don't use a blower with a metal or even plastic nozzle to avoid scratching the coating accidentally. I then lightly brush the lens with lens brush, still with the lens upside down. I then apply a drop of ROR lens cleaning fluid to the lens and tilt the lens to distribute the fluid over the lens. I don't use sprays as they tend to spray too much fluid on the lens and spray fluid into places you don't need to clean. I then use disposable lens cleaning tissues to gently wipe the lens. I finish off with a clean cotton hanky and some breath.

 

[kimsrk]

I use an air bulb or lens brush to carefully remove any potential dirt or sand, or better yet I sometimes rinse with warm tap water. Of course I don't let tap water air dry on the glass to avoid water spots. But dirt/sand is pretty much the only thing I'm seriously concerned about, well that and salt from ocean spray. After removing any potentially abrasive material, and dabbing dry with any clean cloth if necessary, I use zeiss lens wipes and remove remaining streaks with a microfiber cloth.

That being said I feel like this is another one of those areas people over think a lot. These are tools meant to be used in the field and are reasonably resistant to wear. Water and small amounts of diluted isopropyl alcohol won't be a problem.

 

[4John]

That being said I feel like this is another one of those areas people over think a lot.

I completely agree. Paranoia is my middle name

 

[kimsrk]

I completely agree. Paranoia is my middle name

Oh yeah, me too. It took months for me to take the kid gloves off. I'm still very deliberate and careful but I've learned to be less paranoid.

 

[ibramr]

Wipes are mentioned here several times — I use them before a pass by a quality microfiber. Here is a good example that is easily available in the US and presumably so in other markets. Good luck.

 

[Bako]

and what do you think about this?

Lee anti-static cleaning fluid 60ml - Optic cleaning fluids - Nordic Digital

Optic cleaning fluids - Effective cleaning liquid Suitable for cleaning all optic filters Removes grease, fingerprints and marker with ease Gives antistatic properties 60 ml bottle

www.nordic-digital.com

i have used it on older bino and i feel like it is better than similar products because it seems to repel dust. i just hope it is suitable for binoculars as well. it is primarily used for camera filters.

 

[Thrupenney Bit]

and what do you think about this?

Lee anti-static cleaning fluid 60ml - Optic cleaning fluids - Nordic Digital

Optic cleaning fluids - Effective cleaning liquid Suitable for cleaning all optic filters Removes grease, fingerprints and marker with ease Gives antistatic properties 60 ml bottle

www.nordic-digital.com

i have used it on older bino and i feel like it is better than similar products because it seems to repel dust. i just hope it is suitable for binoculars as well. it is primarily used for camera filters.

Thanks Bako.
since originally posting I've managed to get a cleaning kit as part of a deal on some pocket binoculars.
It contains a similar cleaning fluid, and wipes similar to the ones ibramr pointed me towards in the post above.

 

[etudiant]

Thanks Bako.
since originally posting I've managed to get a cleaning kit as part of a deal on some pocket binoculars.
It contains a similar cleaning fluid, and wipes similar to the ones ibramr pointed me towards in the post above.

Why bother?
Simply use your tongue to lick off the offending material. The saliva is a good grease cutter and is easily removed by the lips.
So nothing to carry and it works rain or shine.

 

[Scott98]

"Opto-Wipes" are the professional-grade, best lens wipe in existence IMO. I use them for in-house lens cleaning and also take a piece or two in the field on misty days. You can find them with an internet search - accept no substitute IMO

 

[4John]

"Opto-Wipes" are the professional-grade, best lens wipe in existence IMO. I use them for in-house lens cleaning and also take a piece or two in the field on misty days. You can find them with an internet search - accept no substitute IMO

Wow ! "Lint Free Precision Lens Cleaning Wipes. Hydro-entangled polyester and cellulose fibers. Designed for clean room environments." Not cheap though- £45 but they are re-usable.