[Leica] Re: Never clean a lens (poor lens!)

[Jim Brick <jimbrick@photoaccess.com>]

At 09:15 PM 11/23/98 +0000, you wrote:
>
>
>Jim and Ted,
>
>Why don't you two check Shutterbug, to see how many lenses are listed with
>cleaning marks and scratches, you won't find better proof.  End of
>discussion.
>
>Have a nice day,
>Robert
>

You need to do a little more analysis. Reading specifically, but thinking
globally, is a mistake.

All of those lenses with cleaning marks are *old* lenses, made before
"hard" coatings were invented. Scratches... that's probably operator error.
Use sandpaper, you'll get scratches.

Unless someone is "scrubbing" their modern lens every hour of every single
day, for years, you'll not get "cleaning" marks on a modern lens. The
coating is indeed *hard* and normal cleaning, using care as to what you use
(no sandpaper allowed), will never develop cleaning marks.

When you see "cleaning marks", think "old" lenses, or really really bad
cleaning technique. Levi's are OK, but not the rivets.

Jim

PS... ever see a Leica technician, or an optical specialist clean a lens.
You should call 911 prior to letting either touch your lens. We're talking
"scrub-a-dub-dub"!