Lens cleaning

Newer members often state that they think their question is too basic, or stupid, or whatever, to be posted. Nothing could be further further from the truth in any section at DSLRUsers.com, but especially here. Don't feel intimidated. The only stupid question is the one that remains unasked. We were all beginners at one stage, and even the most experienced amongst us will admit to learning new stuff on a daily basis. Ask away! Please also refer to the forum rules and the portal page

Moderators: Greg B, Nnnnsic, Geoff, Glen, gstark, Moderators

Forum rules
Please ensure that you have a meaningful location included in your profile. Please refer to the FAQ for details of what "meaningful" is. Please also check the portal page for more information on this.

Lens cleaning

Postby redbluegreen on Sat Jan 13, 2007 2:02 pm

I have noticed that one of my lenes has the blue like oil on the lens and I carnt seem to get it off with breathing on it and using a lens tissue. Can anyone please advise or should i get it professionally cleaned. Is there a lens cleaning liquid ie like Windex foe windows etc?
redbluegreen
Newbie
 
Posts: 24
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 2:19 pm
Location: OXLEY ISLAND

Postby the foto fanatic on Sat Jan 13, 2007 3:08 pm

I never use anything other than a lens cloth, however, I have seen an item called the LensPen recommended for removing fingerprints.

If you have something more than that, I suggest you take it to a reputable camera repairer who should be able to advise.

Are you sure that it's not just a multi-coating that many lenses have for improved light dispersion?
TFF (Trevor)
My History Blog: Your Brisbane: Past & Present
My Photo Blog: The Foto Fanatic
Nikon stuff!
User avatar
the foto fanatic
Moderator
 
Posts: 4212
Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2004 7:53 pm
Location: Teneriffe, Brisbane

Postby Glen on Sat Jan 13, 2007 3:16 pm

I find the blue Finish in the dishwasher is excellent.





I agree with Cricketfan
User avatar
Glen
Moderator
 
Posts: 11819
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:14 pm
Location: Sydney - Neutral Bay - Nikon

Postby Geoff on Sat Jan 13, 2007 3:34 pm

Glen wrote:I find the blue Finish in the dishwasher is excellent.



Do you use a hairdryer then to dry the lens or just chuck it in the clothes dryer Glen? :D
Geoff
Special Moments Photography
Nikon D700, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.4, 70-200 2.8VR, SB800 & some simple studio stuff.
User avatar
Geoff
Moderator
 
Posts: 7791
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 12:08 am
Location: Freshwater - Northern Beaches, Sydney.

Postby Glen on Sat Jan 13, 2007 4:10 pm

:lol: :lol: :lol:
User avatar
Glen
Moderator
 
Posts: 11819
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:14 pm
Location: Sydney - Neutral Bay - Nikon

Postby Manta on Sat Jan 13, 2007 4:13 pm

Geoff wrote:
Glen wrote:I find the blue Finish in the dishwasher is excellent.



Do you use a hairdryer then to dry the lens or just chuck it in the clothes dryer Glen? :D


I normally just tie a rope to it and drag it along behind the car and let the wind dry it, especially if I'm going to the shops anyway.

Sorry RGB - Trevor has given you some good advice and the rest of us are probably just gonna be stupid from here on in. Go with Trevor's sage words!
Simon
D300 l MB-D10 l D70 l SB-800 l 70-200 VR l TC 17-E l 18-70 f3.5-4.5 l 70-300 f4-5.6 l 50 f1.4 l 90 Macro f2.8 l 12-24 f4
http://www.redbubble.com/people/manta
User avatar
Manta
Former Outstanding Member Of The Year
 
Posts: 3815
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 10:49 pm
Location: Hamilton Qld

Postby the foto fanatic on Sat Jan 13, 2007 4:16 pm

A little levity never hurt anyone. :lol:
TFF (Trevor)
My History Blog: Your Brisbane: Past & Present
My Photo Blog: The Foto Fanatic
Nikon stuff!
User avatar
the foto fanatic
Moderator
 
Posts: 4212
Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2004 7:53 pm
Location: Teneriffe, Brisbane

Postby Manta on Sat Jan 13, 2007 8:29 pm

cricketfan wrote:A little levity never hurt anyone. :lol:


Geez - I'd be in traction by now if it did!
Simon
D300 l MB-D10 l D70 l SB-800 l 70-200 VR l TC 17-E l 18-70 f3.5-4.5 l 70-300 f4-5.6 l 50 f1.4 l 90 Macro f2.8 l 12-24 f4
http://www.redbubble.com/people/manta
User avatar
Manta
Former Outstanding Member Of The Year
 
Posts: 3815
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 10:49 pm
Location: Hamilton Qld

Postby Yi-P on Sat Jan 13, 2007 9:18 pm

Can you give more detail about your lens? How old it is, where/how was it kept, what happened before you got this 'blue tint oil'?

If you are using a filter on top of it then cleaning the filter itself will not be such of a heart attack if anything happens.

A 'blue tinted oil' can mean alot in front of a lens element, may be sign of coating wearing off an aged lens from some overexposure to chemicals or UV rays.

A little more info may help to see what really going on with the lens.


A cleaning agent for lens element will be simple methanol, or Eclipse liquid cleaner if you wish to purchase from a camera store. That is just diluted methanol in a nice name.
User avatar
Yi-P
Senior Member
 
Posts: 3579
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:12 am
Location: Sydney -- Ashfield

cleaning lens

Postby redbluegreen on Sun Jan 14, 2007 8:03 am

The lens is a AFS NIKKOR 12-24 1.4G ED its a lovely lens and I dont want to damage it. I dont know how old it is as I purchased it only last year second hand.

Ps: Thanks for the logical help and my old Hilux probably woun't pull the lens out of the dish washer fast enought to get to a speed to effectively dry it :D

Thanks
redbluegreen
Newbie
 
Posts: 24
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 2:19 pm
Location: OXLEY ISLAND

Re: cleaning lens

Postby Yi-P on Sun Jan 14, 2007 8:28 am

redbluegreen wrote:The lens is a AFS NIKKOR 12-24 1.4G ED its a lovely lens and I dont want to damage it. I dont know how old it is as I purchased it only last year second hand.

Ps: Thanks for the logical help and my old Hilux probably woun't pull the lens out of the dish washer fast enought to get to a speed to effectively dry it :D

Thanks



Did you mean the Nikkor 12-24 f/4G ED? I only wish they made a 1.4 at this range!! :lol:

Anyway, that is a very new lens. Did you get the problem when you first received it? Or you just found it recently?

You didnt keep the lens with any other chemical products like moth balls or similar right?
Last edited by Yi-P on Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Yi-P
Senior Member
 
Posts: 3579
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:12 am
Location: Sydney -- Ashfield

lens cleaning

Postby redbluegreen on Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:39 pm

Its stored either in my camera bag or in my cupboard no chemicals.
redbluegreen
Newbie
 
Posts: 24
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 2:19 pm
Location: OXLEY ISLAND

Postby Yi-P on Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:44 pm

Try a lens cloth + lens cleaning solution (diluted methanol) and give it a soft, circular, gentle clean with 1 - 2 drop of the liquid on the cloth (not lens itself).
User avatar
Yi-P
Senior Member
 
Posts: 3579
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:12 am
Location: Sydney -- Ashfield

Postby garlino on Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:45 pm

When you said you tried lens cleaning tissues.. Did you use some lens cleaning solution with them as well?

I brought a cheap $15 pack of tissues that came with some lens cleaning solution which looks to have some sort of alcohol in it and it works a treat.

Try some lens solution first before you try other methods.. Good luck
garlino
Member
 
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Sep 04, 2006 9:43 pm
Location: city, brisbane


Return to Absolute Beginners Questions