What would folks recommend for lens cleaning materials? In my still
photography days, I used a blower brush which had a slide-up capped
protector to keep the bristles in good condition, along with a soft cloth
and a bottle of Kodak lens cleaner.

A look around Jessops didn't reveal a blower brush that I thought was any
good - just a nastly little thing with exposed bristles for 4 quid. They
also do some set of bits which also has a nastly little brush, a bottle of
scoosh, some sort of cloth or tissue, and some cotton buds (what do I want
cotton buds for??).

Jessops also do some sort of 'pen' thing - looks like a telescopic brush
thingy at one end, with some sort of 'paste stick' at the other. What is
this, and is it any good?

I'm looking for something compact - there's a large non-brush blower in
Jessops which I would consider too large, and I'd guess that compressed air
tins are also a bit big.

Suggestions?


--
Wally
www.artbywally.com/FiatPandaRally/index.htm
www.wally.myby.co.uk

"Wally" wrote in message
...
What would folks recommend for lens cleaning materials? In my still
photography days, I used a blower brush which had a slide-up capped
protector to keep the bristles in good condition, along with a soft cloth
and a bottle of Kodak lens cleaner.

A look around Jessops didn't reveal a blower brush that I thought was any
good - just a nastly little thing with exposed bristles for 4 quid. They
also do some set of bits which also has a nastly little brush, a bottle of
scoosh, some sort of cloth or tissue, and some cotton buds (what do I want
cotton buds for??).

Jessops also do some sort of 'pen' thing - looks like a telescopic brush
thingy at one end, with some sort of 'paste stick' at the other. What is
this, and is it any good?

I'm looking for something compact - there's a large non-brush blower in
Jessops which I would consider too large, and I'd guess that compressed
air
tins are also a bit big.

Suggestions?

I can't comment on most of the things you've seen, other than to say I
wouldn't let most of them anywhere near my (stills) lenses. However, I do
have experience of using the "pen thing" you saw in Jessops. It's been quite
useful to me because it is extremely compact for use in the field and the
brush seems to do an adequate job of removing specks from hard to reach
places (let's face it, it's not rocket science!) As for the other end - it's
supposed to be for stubborn marks like fingerprints (oops!) but I don't use
it, ever. In my opinion, the risk of scratching the lens is too great, given
how thin the pad is. My advice to you would be forget about Jessops and
visit a good, independent supplier where you'll be able to speak to people
who know one end of a camera from the other. You'll probably save a bit as
well!

Mike wrote:

I can't comment on most of the things you've seen, other than to say I
wouldn't let most of them anywhere near my (stills) lenses. However,
I do have experience of using the "pen thing" you saw in Jessops.
It's been quite useful to me because it is extremely compact for use
in the field and the brush seems to do an adequate job of removing
specks from hard to reach places (let's face it, it's not rocket
science!) As for the other end - it's supposed to be for stubborn
marks like fingerprints (oops!) ...

Yup, it's the greasy, grimy, ground in dirt we're talking about, not the
biscuit crumbs.


... but I don't use it, ever. In my
opinion, the risk of scratching the lens is too great, given how thin
the pad is.

I had a look at the pen thing in Jessops today - not a paste as I had
thought at first, but some sort of furry pad with 'stuff' in it. I rubbed it
on my hand and it left a darkish deposit. The instructions didn't say to
buff it off or anything - seems you just rub it on, and that's it. The mark
was still on my knuckle a few hours later. No way in hell am I putting
aything like that on my lenses.


My advice to you would be forget about Jessops and visit
a good, independent supplier where you'll be able to speak to people
who know one end of a camera from the other. You'll probably save a
bit as well!

I'm tempted to agree.


--
Wally
www.artbywally.com/FiatPandaRally/index.htm
www.wally.myby.co.uk

snip - various cleaning methods

I have had success with a few things.

1. blower (high volume) without the brush for the removal of particles.
2. Lens tissue with a quick breath of the lens.
3. A product called opticlean. This stuff is great. From what I can gather
it's some kid of fast setting resin emulsion you paint on the lens
(yes..counter intuitive I know) and then after 10 mins or so you use an
adhesive pad to stick onto the emulsion and it lifts right off. I can
honestly say that the surface of the lens came up absolutely pristine.
(there are a few reviews on the web you can check out..the bottle is smaller
than a bottle of nail polish.


Finally...my all time favourite photographic store for this kind of thing is
www.7dayshop.com they are based in Jersey, very very very cheap (check out
their clearance and specials links esp) and very reliable...

When I lived in the UK I bought everything from them...they are incredibly
competitive in almost all areas....check them out...



and no...I don't have any connection commercial or otherwise to them....