Re: [Leica] There Is More To Life Than Lens cleaning

[Seth Rosner <sethrosner@direcway.com>]

Buzz, I'm with you. Most of my M lenses are the older designs from the 60's
and 70's. Better and more resistant coating than lenses from the 50's and
very early 60's.

I don't use well-washed (and rinsed in pure water) cotton undergarments
often; usually airbrush to blow away surface stuff, a breath of condensation
on the lens surface and very light and circular stroking with Leica or Kodak
lens tissue. For anything that remains, lens cleaning fluid but never
directly on the lens, only on lens tissue and then applied to the surface in
the circular motion. The real answer is: keep it clean in the first place.
Unless one is in very schmutzy surroundings, salt air or spray, sand, dust
etc. one doesn't need a filter to keep the front surface clear and clean.

Seth

- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Buzz Hausner" <buzz.hausner@verizon.net>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Friday, August 01, 2003 5:03 PM
Subject: [Leica] There Is More To Life Than Lens cleaning


> Actually, I have taken some great pictures through remarkably filthy
> glass and I consider lens cleaning to be pretty unimportant.  B.D. could
> tell you how I apply the same maintenance principles to my car, too.
>
> That said, however, if a lens really needs cleaning, I first blow or
> brush off any grit.  Then I use a soft cotton cloth to wipe the lens.
> If there is any stubborn spot, such as a finger print, I breathe on the
> lens to deposit a bit of condensation and wipe again.  I have never put
> a cleaning mark or scratch on any lens, though all of my lenses date
> from at least 1985 and I can't say how this method will work on older
> coatings.  Modern coatings are amazingly tough.  My cloth of choice is a
> rag from an old cotton dress shirt which has worn through at the elbows
> or become completely frayed at the cuffs or collar.  Ted Grant and
> others prefer ancient undergarments.  You be the judge.
>
> Buzz Hausner
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us] On Behalf Of Erik van
> der Meulen
> Sent: Friday, August 01, 2003 3:07 PM
> To: Leica Users Group
> Subject: [Leica] Lens cleaning
>
> Dear group -
>
> I have recently decided to have my (new) 35-Cron and 90-Elmarit live
> without UV filter. Thought about it for a bit and decided that I seems a
> little silly to spend on the best quality lens to protect it with an
> additional glass surface which, at best, does not add to quality.
>
> Anyway, now I would like to have suggestions how to go about
> periodically cleaning the lens (front and rear element) without harming
> it. I have seen adds with lenses sold with 'little cleaning marks'. Is
> there a way to avoid those? Currently I am a little reluctant to touch
> the glass with anything at all ;-)
>
> Thanks a lot for any thoughts or pointers!
>
> --
>   Erik van der Meulen <e.van.der.meulen@avondel.com>
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>
>
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