I believe there is some discussion on photo.net about using ROR to clean lenses. What I want to know is the concensus of Leica users. Is it safe, or should I just have some single-malt and breath on them? I hardly EVER clean my lenses, preferring instead to just keep them clean by using lens caps, and a quick, short, and soft blast of compressed air every once in a while. But, still, sometimes a crud accumulates. I was thinking about Kodak Lens Cleaning tissues with a bit of ROR. What say you all?

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), March 04, 2001

Answers

I never had much luck with those lens cleaning tissues--always seem to leave a smeary residue and also feel kind of rough. I bought a few microfiber cleaning cloths(Pentax brand)and am amazed what a great job they do of leaving filters and lenses spotless. Although you need to be careful, I've even cleaned front suface silver mirrors on my Nikon SLR's that had acquired a light film from age without scratching them. They say you can wash them, but they are cheap enough that after a while I use them for cleaning my glasses and pick up another for my photo stuff. Very handy for wiping finger prints off the finder in my M3 (that no matter how careful I am always seem to get there). Anyone know how those things work so well? I sometimes use a tiny spot of alcohol if something has gotten really yucky.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), March 04, 2001.

I only use liquids on my lenses about once every 17 years, if there's a definite need. I've used ROR so far to clean a CD, finder screen, Nikon lens, etc. I've had no problems with it. I don't recall using ROR on my Leica lenses so far. I usually use a microfiber cloth, and it usually does the trick. Since they came out with microfiber, the same two packs of lens tissue have been riding around in my bags for some years now. I would only use ROR for a difficult oily residue. But as far as I know it's supposed to be safe for all coated lenses. The first time I get a fat thumbprint on a Leica lens, I'll use it.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), March 04, 2001.

I've used ROR and micro-fiber cleaning cloths from Photo-Clear for the last five years. I find the micro-fiber cloths indispensable, especially for cleaning fingerprints off my M's viewfinder, and do not use lens tissues at all any more. Further, when the micro-fiber cloths get dirty, you can wash them out and re-use them. I'll typically just breathe on the lens or viewfinder and gently wipe it off; this seems to work well for fingerprints. I'll use the ROR only for more stubborn stains -- I've used it to remove salt spray and tree sap mist from filters and front lens elements, and I've even removed what a friend thought was a pit on the front of one of his LF lenses! Anyway, after 5 years I still have about 80 or 90% of the ROR left in the bottle, but would not leave home without it.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), March 04, 2001.

BTW, the American Cinematogrphers Manual recommends fogging the lens with your breath and wiping with lens tissue (or presumably a microfiber cloth) as the safest way to clean those super-expensive Panavision and Arriflex lenses.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), March 05, 2001.

I agree with Bob, I use only breath and would resort to lens cleaner only in extremis. I still use lens tissue, although microfiber is good but you need to be careful not to apply too much pressure, also microfiber cloth gets dirty and this can foul up your surface. Lens tissue you throw away so you always have clean tissue. Make sure you store it in a sealed bag though.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), March 05, 2001.

Interesting topic, I guess no one does the same thing to clean what we love the most, I used to clean with my breath and optical tisue, but as it is so practical and I begun to do it a lot, I stoped and now I only clean my lenses when I am absolutely sure they need it and keep them lens caped, I use an optical cleaning liquid from tiffen, that I guess is the same thing as any other, then remove grase with an optical tissue, and finish with an optical tissue or a pice of leather like those you can buy to wash cars, they are very soft, is the same thing is used to clean airplane front windows; and it is what I usualy carry in my camera case to use with my breath in a necesary case.

-- R. Watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), March 05, 2001.

When cleaning lenses the first thing I do is use a large air puffer and then a sable hair brush to dislodge any grit and then use the puffer again. Following this I used to use a piece of photographic chamois; that is a piece of chamois that has been treated to take out it's natural oils. However IMO nothing comes close to a good microfiber cloth used gently with a liberal fogging with your breath, works beautifully. The microfibre cloth should be stored in a clean plastic (prefably ziplock) bag. For those who insist on using tissue paper, it is best to roll it up and tear it in half and use the torn end gently.

When cleaning the viewfinder I don't bother to breath on it but use one or two swipes with a microfiber cloth used especially for this purpose. The glass on leica M viewfinders seems pretty hard. I would be very apprehensive about using one of those cans of compressed air on a Leica lens. Have heard of some real horror stories of frozen and cracked front lens elements etc. from using the such compressed from a can.

-- sam smith (ssmith@hotmail.com), March 05, 2001.

ROR? What is this? Does anyone use the "lens pen"? It has a brush and a soft concaved surface for cleaning.

-- Don M (maldos@home.com), March 13, 2001.

Concerning the use of compressed gas to clean lenses, enlarger carrier glass, etc: Holding the can upright helps to avoid squirting any raw liquid propellant through the nozzle. It's my understanding that it's the unatomized liquid that does the damage. Holding the nozzle (tube) 8 or 10 inches from the lens is another safeguard. I also find that using a partially exhausted can is a good idea. New cans can be used to blow out a camera body, enlarger, or anything not likely to be damaged.

Having said all this, compressed gas cleaning still seems risky, because I guess no one can guarantee that there won't be a mishap. I've never cracked anything, but I've managed to spray a residue onto the enlarger carrier, which I then had to remove. But held at a distance, it's great for blowing out the camera body (watch that shutter curtain) before loading up. Also great for cleaning film before enlarging. Again, I hold the can some distance away from the object to be cleaned.

I agree that using a soft brush is a good first step, before rubbing the lens with anything.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), March 14, 2001.