Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/03/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Peter, I do not agree with you. The newer Leitz/Leica lenses have very hard coatings that are very good. Still, I would not use Kodak lens cleaning fluid more often than once a year. Some people prefer Residual Oil Remover. I clean my lenses using a cloth that I bought in a Pentax wrapper. Leica sells a similar cloth, but it is half the size and costs twice as much. Here, a 10% price-drop will make no difference. I have a Summitar lens made before 1955. I certainly would be afraid to use anything on this lens. It is mint, but has evidence of cleaning on the front element. None of my other lenses show any such evidence. My Summicron 50mm DR appears to have been recoated, since its front surface is perfect and appears bluish. I believe that Leitz used a different coating technology before 1955. May be Marc James Small can fill in the details here. Chris At 10:20 PM 3/2/97 +0000, you wrote: >> What is the best way to clean a Leica lens? I'm looking for brand name >> recommendations and the best technique. Any suggestions? > >> David W. Almy > >There is no reason to be overly concerned about the lens coatings on >Leitz lenses, or any other high quality lenses for that matter. I use >Kodak lens cleaning fluid and paper with fine results. I'm always >getting salt spray on my lenses and they have to be cleaned >frequently as a result. > >Roll the tissue up and tear it in two. Double up the tissue and soak >the torn end in cleaning fluid. After blowing any loose dirt off the >surface, gently wipe the surface of the lens with the fluid soaked >tissue. Next, while it's still wet, take another tissue that's been >torn and mopistened the same way and repeat the process. > >At this point all of the dirt should be off the lens. Another piece >of tissue also torn but dry should be used to dry the surface of the >lens. > >If when you've finished you have any streaks, moisten another tissue >slightly and wipe the lens again. That should do it. > >Keeping a filter on the lens dramatically reduces the need for >cleaning the lens, but of course you then have to clean the filter. I >almost always use filters but even changing filters on the shore or on >a windy day can result in dirt on the lens. > >The important thing is to have the first tissue wet enough to carry >off any dirt into the tissue without scratching the lens coating. >Once all the grit is off the lens, all you are concerned with is >cleaning any oils left behind. > >Peter Jon White > >