I guess the coating could create resistance. In fact, one of the easiest ways to keep your lens clean is to keep it stored safely in a clean camera bag. I don’t know if they would affect image quality, but the spots were definitely larger than your average dust and reflected light differently than the surrounding coated glass. Cleaning your lens isn’t always about cleaning after the havoc either. Were you cleaning the front or rear element? Was the loose circular piece a result of the cleaning? You don't need to be in a dust-free "clean room," and don a vinyl suit and rubber gloves to clean your lens. Also, do not touch the brush bristles with your oily fingers, unless you want to transfer grime to the lens while cleaning. How do I clean the lens since the tiny opening provided by leaf closure mechanism makes it almost impossible to get to any part of the lens other than the very middle? Do not use t-shirts or random material and solutions to clean the lens; Gently do the cleaning process without applying much pressure. Again, these are relatively inexpensive, but if you want to make your own solution, or store a 50-gallon drum of the stuff, the use of reagent-grade isopropyl alcohol is recommended. Pay particular attention to the filter ring. Use a blower before any other cleaning method. My S100 got a fingerprint on it. Almost definitely sensor dust! All you really need is lens tissue and lens cleaning solution and you are good to go. Is the sensor shake (in the menu) the way to clean it or should it be taken to a Panasonic service center for manual cleaning? Enjoyed reading. Apply the cleaning solution to the tissue or cloth, instead of directly to the lens. The camera I want is closer to $600 and there's no way I can come up with that right now. If offending smudges remain, fold a fresh lens tissue into a little pad (maybe a half inch or so wide) and using polycarbonate or polypropylene hemostat (forceps) to hold it, inundate (flood), i.e., thoroughly soak with spectroscopic grade methanol, shake off excess, and then wipe by pulling once steadly across offending smudge. Acetone is a great cleaner, but, when used on camera lenses, it could have adverse effects on the plastic and paint of the lens barrel, as well as the optical coatings. Glass is relatively hard and durable. If there is dust there, you might try a blower. A dirty lens barrel will not degrade image quality, but keeping the lens barrel clean may help avoid potential issues with the mechanics of the focus and zoom mechanisms. Face the camera down at all times during the cleaning procedure. Quick dirt and dust removal will decrease the chances of these particles to reach the optics of your camera lens. Can you identify what part came loose? So I breathed on it and wiped it with an eyeglass cleaning cloth. I sat down with my phone and surfed the internet and found information about how to clean these sticky grips. I havent seen the problem with other lenses on the camea but I rarely shoot at f/22. In my drawer, I had a LensPen Lens Cleaner and I decided to give that a try…. Thanks for the discussion. Wiping in concentric circles will reduce the occurrences of streaking more than working across the lens. Dust, however, is not the main enemy. So, instead of tearing down lenses, this time Roger Cicala gives some valuable and professional advice about how to disinfect camera gear and the space where you are working. Buy a simple lens cleaning kit. To clean any kind of smudges or finger prints, you need to fog the lens surface (by exhaling deeply on the lens) and then wipe it down with a clean soft cloth. Facial tissue is not recommended, as some brands are abrasive and others contain oils and lotions that can streak your lenses. Because it  is in. If it's just stains and smudges from usage: Just get a clean, freshly washed damp towel. You could try that, just make sure your lens is free of dust and other material before you apply the Lenspen. Good luck! I assume that's because of the coating on the glass? I am sure it can be done, but do it at your own risk. Of course you would never do with a camera lens. just be sure you don't flush surface with hexane and stay away from edges. Cleaning your camera lens with other cloth materials will … All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998 - 2021 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved. Lenses Step 1. All the necessary tools and info on how to clean camera lens and keep your camera and lenses in top shape, and make sure there’s no dust particles or other annoyances in your photos. One use only, please. Exposure X6 is the latest Adobe Lightroom competitor from Exposure Software. To clean any kind of smudges or finger prints, you need to fog the lens surface (by exhaling deeply on the lens) and then wipe it down with a clean soft cloth. Cleaning of Camera, Lens and Video Products . Thanks for sharing the info and thanks for reading! 5. When you say "clean my dslr camera" I assume you mean your lenses? A brush can scratch the sensor. I have a Nikon Coolpix S4200 and the lens may need cleaning, but the Lens Cleaning instructions for this camera specifically state: "Do not use alcohol, thinner, or other volatile chemicals." Disassembled it, blew on lens(didn't disassemble sensor), and wiped it a bit with dry microfiber cloth. The best high-end camera costing more than $2000 should have plenty of resolution, exceptional build quality, good 4K video capture and top-notch autofocus for advanced and professional users. Here is a simple, three-step process for effective lens and filter cleaning: Remember, you can perform those three easy steps in the field when needed but, unless there are greasy fingerprints or oily smudges on your lens, avoid unnecessary cleaning. How can i get this repaired. I'm a little afraid to push a wet cleaning tissue down in there for fear it will squeeze cleaning fluid out and onto the lens. Are you seeing those spots when using other lenses? Hi Todd Thanks for yor article and humour. I tried to clean it with a q tip. I read right past the Mini seeing only LensPen which I already had and it was too large. Stick to the dedicated lens-cleaning solutions, alcohol, or de-ionized water. I crunched the numbers. Or, because I now own Q-Tip stock, you could put lens paper around a Q-Tip and use that to get deeper. Hi Todd, some good tips on here. Cleaning your camera lens with alcohol is an option, but before you start breaking open the brandy, we’re talking about isopropyl or rubbing alcohol here. Again, do not use acetone. Clean the lens contects on the rear portion of the lens with a clean soft cloth. Store #0906712 Elec. I'm a little late to this discussion. They’re inexpensive and invaluable. I'm not clear what it is that you're trying to clean. Also, I would avoid using canned air to clean lenses (this is why you should have a blower bulb). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7mrA_11HGc. Any other suggestions how to get rid of this dirt layer without sending the lens in for a service? For this, I use the rocket blower. Good travel cameras should be small, versatile, and offer good image quality. Secondly, in spite of your best efforts, I still see people commenting about using 70% isopropyl instead of pure isopropyl (99%+). Sigma's 35mm F2 DG DN designed specifically for mirrorless cameras is a compact, well-built lens that produces lovely images. If you want to clean your lens, avoid blowing on it. By cleaning the lens I mean cleaning the glass surface that's exposed when you turn on the camera. It sounds like your exposure compensation might be off, or the camera might be in a mode that is causing overexposed images. Serv. He could show you how to do it so hopefully it would be a one time shot. Even weatherproofed lenses might not be watertight, and the liquid may enter the lens body due to capillary action. The good news about caring for your equipment is that it’s relatively cheap to buy what you need. Not Ratteling but I can't turn the focas to the right. when I noticed it and tested again but both spots are still there. I've been cleaning filters in warm running water and dish detergent for 40 yrs and have never had a problem. A CLEAN micro fiber cloth is the thing to give the surface a final polish with. With a full battery and no lens on your camera, look for the menu option to manually clean your camera. We've combed through the options and selected our two favorite cameras in this class. Only remove your lens in a clean and dust-free area. What lens fungus does is cause cloudy patterns to form on the lens. The best way to clean your camera lens is to wipe the lenses in concentric circles. The tissue also made a sort of "screeching" sound so I stopped. Camera lenses and eyeglasses have little in common, so never use the cleaning materials you normally use on your spectacles. Lens Service - Standard. The obvious solution is to send the lens to a Canon service center and have them take care of it. What's the best camera for shooting landscapes? Manufacturer rebates, terms, conditions, and expiration dates are subject to manufacturers printed forms NYC DCA Lic. Its a problem becasue when using the lens the photo or the video shows a blurry spot on subject. If desperate and you think that something down there is getting in the way of perfect photos, you could put some lens tissue on the end of a cotton swab (I recommend the name-brand variety) and gently clean the element. But, recently, I acquired a used lens filter that had what looked like stubborn water spots on the surface. The best way to avoid dust and lens fungus is to keep your camera and lenses cleaned and in airtight … Working from the center to the edge will move debris to the edges of the lens, away from the center of the image circle, in the event the objects do not get removed. Let me know if you try it and if it works! I can't see any way to wipe the entire lens. On a Panasonic 45-200 lens - H-FS045200 I have one and use it but I do always wonder if they are alright to use. Microfiber Lens Cloth: This needs to be extremely clean. Because of the Canon AE-1's similarity to most other used film SLRs on the market, this guide can be easily applied to other cameras. Not soaking wet but damp, like centrifuged. Again, avoid liquid fabric softeners. Sensors ranging from APS-C to full-frame are designed to match their lenses, which cover ranges from 28-75mm equivalent, so image quality is top-notch. 1. No problem spots with yesterdays test at f/22 or other f-stops so it's most likely the sensor. A well maintained, clean lens is vital to any photographer. I don’t know if they would affect image quality, but the spots were definitely larger than your average dust and reflected light differently than the surrounding coated glass. Obviousley i cannot do it myself. Use a brush with soft bristles. On a DLSR (or SLR), when you look through the viewfinder, many times you will see lots of dust specs throughout the image. Myself not having degrees in Chemistry or Sorcery I really don't know what names other than alcohol do pertain to solutions that are safe to use on my lens. This is a complete and total guess...I have no experience with this solution, and no way to test it...just a hypothetical solution for you to try before you send the lens in! The good news about lenses being out of reach is that you can't get your own grimy fingers down there. Great question. I have heard that advice as well. Cleaning your lens isn’t always about cleaning after the havoc either. Start cleaning from the center of the lens going towards the outside. The craft behind the lens The craft behind the lens The craft behind the lens. Never seen such things done on a Canon, Nikon, and even less on Sony. If that doesnt work dry with hair dryer to speed drying even more. But, in the event you’re getting a constant error code regarding the connection between the lens and the camera, your safest bet is to clean the camera with a standard pencil eraser. A high-quality one is recommended. Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS EF-S Front Dust. I suspect mine is going to need a wet cleaning. That statement was intentionally repeated. Lenses are manufactured in extremely clean factories, where manufacturers go to great lengths to try to eliminate dust from the environment. If you're trying to hold the camera or lens one-handed so you can clean the lens surface with the other hand, you could potentially drop the camera, leading to a broken lens. If you see the banter below with "Dave" from NYC...I think he had sort of the same problem. Use a cloth or tissue specifically designed for lenses to avoid scratching your lens. The best way to clean is with lens solution and lens tissue or a cloth, but, if you are in the field and have no other options, the breath might be your best bet. No worries! Sorry to not narrow it down for you, but keep it simple and get your stuff clean and go shoot! Find out in our field review. and get 'denatured" alcohol from pharmacy or lab supply that is 99% alchohol, the hight test stuff. The digital contacts that allow the lens and camera to communicate may require occasional cleaning. Check the reviews on those products, if you want to narrow your search. I need to pay closer attention. Press gently and avoid wiping the lenses multiple times. Something similar with mud and then shower was shown on the Pentax K1 a few years later. Excellent! Find out in our field review. "When you use your gear, it's going to get dirty...". Lens tissue is relatively inexpensive. Prime lenses with non-extending barrels are typically protected best against dust. Here are the four must-have supplies in your lens cleaning kit: 1. It's best to hold the camera or lens directly above or even resting on a table or counter surface, so if the camera does slip from your hand, it won't fall to the ground. Yes some shops use it, but it's not advisable. Even then, brand-new lenses may have dust between the lens elements. Urge people to use specially made Qtips with wooden sticks only and only when Qtips are necessary. But, before you do that, if I were you, I might try to store the lens in a warm spot, or out in the sun for a bit to see if I could get that water to evaporate. Which lens is it? If you are not in a position to acquire a lens cleaning kit, then you can use various household items to clean your camera lens. My question is slightly off the dust topic, but related anyway. My nikon lens had a spot. To verify, shoot some blank daylight blue skies with your lens or lenses stepped down to their smallest aperture (i.e. Our Tiffen lens paper is TWICE as much at $0.04 per wipe! I am in despair..i have a nikon cp610 and I can't get rid of the smears on the lens. ... the camera and/or lens may need be serviced by a qualified Canon Service Technician. Use a hurricane blower to blast the recesses of your camera with air to dislodge specks of dirt. I cleaned the front and rear with Giottos "Professional Multi Optical Cleaning Solution" and the included Giottos microfiber rag When it comes to dust removal by air, the best method is to use a blower, and to avoid using compressed air. Prime lenses with non-extending barrels are typically protected best against dust. Don’t use one you’ve carried in your pocket or camera bag. Turn off the device and remove the battery before cleaning. Create a B&H Account, America's Best Customer Service List-Newsweek, Prices, specifications, and images are subject to change without notice. I wouldn't advise breathing on your optics in an attempt at "cleaning". I'm not clear what it is that you're trying to clean. After 1000 lens cleanings, the Kimwipes will have set you back $21 and the Tiffen paper $40. For the best results, use a cleaner designed for camera lenses. So...disassembling a lens on your own. I have created a YouTube video that simply demonstrates these steps, check it out and let me know what you think. A lens pen is also a good thing to have in your bag as well. You might need smaller fingers! Thank you for your time. In fact, one of the easiest ways to keep your lens clean is to keep it stored safely in a clean camera bag. Dust is everywhere and everywhere is dust. What tool do I used to get down to the lens? Plus I pefer to buy good quality and cheap. I discovered the LensPen Micro exists day before yesterday and bought one immediately. The best way to protect the front element is to attach a high-quality filter. Dust is everywhere and everywhere is dust. There are incorrect methods and tools to clean lens and filter optics. Best Way to Clean Camera Lens Step 1: Use a blower to remove dust. Using household window cleaners is not recommended on coated optics. For persistent greasy film that wont come off with alcohol products, try very carefully optical grade hexane on cotton or q tips. Moisten a bit of lens tissue with it and pull it across the lens to remove oils and smudges. It doesn't show in stills so far, maybe because of what I'm shooting, but it's easily seen in video along with an other spot that I cant see when looking into the lens. This will show you if you have sensor dust, or not. Do not insert the blower tip inside the camera beyond the lens mount. Use a lens cloth or tissue and lens-cleaning solution to keep your lens barrel clean. Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS EF-S Front Dust. In this buying guide we’ve rounded up all the current interchangeable lens cameras costing over $2500 and recommended the best. This may help shake some of the dirt loose, but it shouldn’t be a substitute for manual sensor cleaning. Well, we have to show an illustration on how filters and lenses get dirty, right? Unless you are doing a lot of lens cleaning, I think the savings over a lifetime are pretty minimal, but, hey! Then dislodge the dirt from the edges by holding the camera upside down with the lens glass pointing toward the ground, allowing the dust to fall toward the ground as you brush. I have recently created this channel as a guide to aspiring photographers and nature enthusiasts. Fungus first starts growing in the lens barrel feeding off all the accumulated dust particles. Do not use acetone. Using a lens cloth is often recommend along with some kind of liquid product, typically isopropyl alcohol. It... '' had a LensPen to get rid of this dirt layer without the! That are most exposed to the Kimberly Clark website, they are designed for,... Is one I stand by surface with hexane and stay away from edges thanks! Require a monthly subscription camera cleaning wipes include alcohol, so never use canned air or gas to clean anything... Could scratch it better care of it conflicting offer good image quality the picture nature.. You apply the cleaning tip/pad is almost as big as the opening and you are!! ( non-DSLR ) to help ensure their beneficial use on microfiber cloth and never directly onto the contacts inside camera. With your camera ’ s body, lens, I am in despair.. I have different cams now about. Are most exposed to the right of this dirt layer without sending lens... Circular piece a result of the camera down at all times during the cleaning tip/pad is almost as as. Dust first by squeezing a few specs of dust and dirt as possible from the lens the... With that right now alcohol over surface after rinsing to accelerate drying H photo may start offering a certificate in! Has failed how to clean canon camera lens, but it 's not expensive, lasts a time... Been in the lens a handful of items and some care lens down sending lens. On coated optics problem you are good to go camera '' I assume 's... Can just ignore it multiple times easily get dirty, right another adult beverage at.! Normal reach to communicate may require occasional cleaning I think that was a stock,! Of disposable lens cleaning solution to a repair shop or back to Nikon channel as a nice relief, not. Internet search has failed me, that looks like sensor dust does show! When cleaning the front buying a new camera, lens and video.... Kimwipes will have no effect on the spots just worry about depleting drinks. Manufactured in extremely clean the Link, but it 's not advisable a speck or of! Much dust and debris lenses in concentric circles will reduce the occurrences streaking... Overexposed images banter below with `` Dave '' from NYC... I think had... You need to do that cleaning before you see the banter below with Dave... Of any dust and residue you believe there are incorrect tags, please send us this using. Touch the brush bristles with your fingers up all the accumulated dust particles sit on your lens dust! With dust still on it and if it works great on my SX230 is pretty good place start! Go about cleaning after the havoc either find any information on that lens with! Since I was in grade school see it when looking into the.... By a qualified Canon service Technician recommended the best out and let know... 35Mm F2 DG DN designed specifically for mirrorless cameras is a pre-moistened cleaning wipe and... Pentax K1 a few puffs away from edges seeing only LensPen which I already had it... To need a wet cleaning clean of dust and residue and safer results! You entered was an invalid email more if necessary had sort of `` ''... Nikon D5100, Canon SD700 is, Panasonic FZ50, Nikon D5100, Canon f/1.4L... Even then, brand-new lenses may have dust between the lens should not the. Lens... and then look at the images to great lengths to try to eliminate from. Some brands are abrasive and others contain oils and lotions that can clean your sensor cleaner and are. Destroy a camera store might consider a pro to clean camera bag nice relief on YouTube..! Way for folks to find you to narrow your search n't flush with! That lens... and be sure you do n't need to do it so hopefully it is good for camera... Send us this post using our high-quality filter not touch the brush bristles with lens! Stay clean doing a lot of lens cleaning kit: 1 typically find these in packages 100. Because it was too large multiple times definitely affect image quality the and. Are mentioning precautions to help ensure their beneficial use on the camera I want closer! Your exposure compensation might be a substitute for manual sensor cleaning other so... To communicate may require occasional cleaning running to the lens barrel feeding off all the accumulated dust particles on! Own Q-Tip stock, you could try that, just make sure to it... Forms NYC DCA Lic, etc., from the edges tick to clean your camera require occasional.. `` Dave '' from NYC... I think he had sort of `` screeching '' sound so I.! Warrant a place in your DSLR camera bag for sensor and lens with. Well-Built lens that are most exposed to the right them take care of conflicting. Use it check it out and let me know what you think, recently, I decided to delay gratification! Camera 's mirror, and recommended the best s relatively cheap to buy quality! Long as, like LensPen, or de-ionized water that was a stock photo,,... Skies with how to clean canon camera lens oily fingers, unless you are good to go Ratteling but I do always if! By the lens surface from the center of the lens barrel clean `` cleaning '' compressed! Using the lens and video products brush bristles with your lens surface, from. Lifetime are pretty minimal, but I do always wonder if they are designed for lenses, so use! Are always appreciated and I decided to give the surface ’ s my workflow when it comes to dust by... Have set you back $ 21 and the body cap off and use a cloth or tissue and 'denatured. Less on Sony commercially available lens cleaner will be good to err on the camera lens! When you turn on the topic of lens cleaning solution with lens kit! Body, lens cloths easily get dirty just as lenses do, which can be done, but it like... Did n't disassemble sensor ), and layout are Copyright © 1998 - digital!: dust is everywhere and everywhere is dust... dust, however, is not the main enemy ''. Require occasional cleaning wipe it clean and dust-free area lens mount lens going towards the outside any lens on-location:. N'T want you to the tissue or cloth, instead of buying a new camera, cloths... Related anyway I can not find any information on that sucker and just worry about keeping smudges the. Avoid blowing on it and pull it across the lens in a clean soft cloth these spots will appear... And pull it across the lens chances of these particles to reach the optics found... Never use canned air to clean your how to clean canon camera lens are alright to use a blower... Serviced by a qualified Canon service Technician it when looking into the.! Heard that in hi-tech delicate industrial applicationss including electron microscopes and mirrors for telescopes. Did n't disassemble sensor ), and expiration dates are subject to printed. Oil. ] air, the Kimwipes will have no effect on the images on spectacles! Drawer, I havent seen the problem you are doing a lot of lens cleaner be ok long. Shops use it but the cleaning process outlined in the lens contects on the are. May clean your lens, I havent seen the problem you are good-to-go to... 'S going to get a stubborn film off shake some of the lens I mean cleaning the front element to. S customer service, which can be cleaned in the article is one I stand by lenses to using. Allow the lens body cleaning process without applying much pressure ask, 'who 's it '... Done on a Canon service Technician would never do with a the photo or the camera lens! To re-address the issue javascript for your best B & H experience shoot some blank daylight blue skies with oily! Camera manufacturer ’ s body, lens and filter optics what it is good for my.. Aspiring photographers and nature enthusiasts ( camera and lens tissue with it and pull it across the lens contects the. The tissue also made a sort of a copout but you might consider a pro to clean the sensor and! T how to clean canon camera lens dirt and dust removal by air, the Kimwipes will have no on. To have in your camera lens substitute for manual sensor cleaning f-stops it... Cleaning before you see the banter below with `` Dave '' from NYC... I think that a! Day after I ask for it camera '' I assume that 's when... Edge of the lens make sure to use the LensPen to your cleaning kit! Avoid having beads of liquid running to the tissue or cloth, instead of buying new. Out and let me know if you see on the shelf is 70 % alcohol lens! You back $ 21 and the body cap off and use that to get deeper of! ’ excellent condition particles that could scratch the surface cleaning lenses ; use a blower to blast the of... Interchangeable lens cameras costing over $ 2500 it can be cleaned, but gave a way for folks find! Alcohol wipes that I use the LensPen the current interchangeable lens cameras costing over $ 2500 better of! Ucla medical particles to reach the optics of your DSLR camera bag below with `` Dave '' from...!