Fun with lens cleaner

[matti]

I visited a Leica repair shop today and asked what he used for lens cleaner. He said he had used ether since he was an aprentice about 40 years ago. Never did me no harm, he said when I suggested using a fan.

When I recently cleaned my old Bessa Voigtländer 6x9, ordinary lens cleaner just seemed to swab around the waxy coat that hazed all the surfaces of the glass. After first using ethanol and then lens cleaner, the lens became totally free of haze.

Since then I have aquired some isopropyl alcohol, but maybe ether will be more fun, when I seriously take a stab at my Industar-61? What do you think? Anyone using ether?

/matti

[varjag]

From all the cleaning options I've tried, lenspen gave the best results so far.

[dexdog]

Careful, ether is very volatile, and explosive! If you are going to give it a burst, I would recommend one of those special bottles with the push-down caps that will dispense only a very small amount of chemical at one time. Micro-tools and most scientific supply houses sell them.

My favorite cleaners are isopropyl and methyl alcohol. Also, very flammable, but a lot less volatile than ether.

[Little Prince]

Methyl alcohol is extremely toxic.

[dexdog]

good point on the methyl alcohol, very toxic stuff. I always work in a well-ventilated space, and wear gloves.

[pshinkaw]

I use Windex, an ammonia based household glass cleaner. If that doesn't work I leave it alone.

Has anyone tried Opticlean?

http://www.dantronix.com/

-Paul

[Trius]

I have some old lenses that I need to get to cleaning up and don't mind "sacrificing". I am going to give this stuff a try. I'll email them first about suitability for coated lenses, but I've been using this stuff on my vehicles and windows in the house and it works well.

[Little Prince]

Originally Posted by pshinkaw

I use Windex, an ammonia based household glass cleaner. If that doesn't work I leave it alone.

Has anyone tried Opticlean?

http://www.dantronix.com/

-Paul

I have found this interesting and have wanted to try it, but it is expensive. The least you can spend (smallest available package) is $105 (US) !

[Benjamin Marks]

Originally Posted by matti

Since then I have aquired some isopropyl alcohol, but maybe ether will be more fun, when I seriously take a stab at my Industar-61? What do you think? Anyone using ether?

/matti

Others may have noted this: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH ETHER. It is highly inflammable/v. volatile. Pace Richard Pryor. No flames, sparks or ignition sources. Also, it eats through styrofoam.

Ben Marks

[Bobbo]

Another vote for windex. I've used it on everything from a P&S to Canon L glass, and it doens't hurt coatings. I usually just use a lenspen though...less stuff to spill in my bag.

[matti]

Thanks for the hints. Lenspen sounds like a good idea, as I suppose there are no problems with the cleaner disolving dirt at the edge of the lens. I have never heard of this before.

I was just surprised about the ether guy earlier today. Everytime I go into his store he also gives my camera a good rubdown with it, inside and out...

/matti

[wyk_penguin]

alcohol is not that good, esp. those that contain water which you buy from ordinary places.

[varjag]

Yes, alcohol gotta be fairly pure to not leave any residue. Liquid cleaners are also not too convenient to use in the field.

[Rob]

My local repair shop uses denatured alcohol to clean lenses and glass.

[ClaremontPhoto]

Vodka works well.

[GeorgeFH]

What should I use to clean the ground glass on a TLR?