Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/01/31

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Filters, again, very long.
From: TEAShea@aol.com
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 20:00:19 EST

<< So how do you clean your dusty and fingerprinted lenses? >>

The idea is to minimize scratching.  I do this by first blowing off as much
dust as possible.  Then I use a natural brush combined with blowing to get off
the rest.  I examine the lens and look to see if the dust is off.  If so, I
usually use a lenspen to clean it.  Sometimes I breath on the lens and then
use the lenspen.  Other times I use pure cotton or lens tissue with Kodak lens
cleaner fluid.  The lens cleaner goes on the cotton or lens tissue - not on
the lens.  Too much lens cleaner fluid is bad because it can seep into the
joint between the edge of the lens and the lensmount - very bad.  I
continually turn the cotton or lens tissue to ensure that any dust getting on
the cotton or tissue is not rubbed against the lens coating.  The lenspen
seems to be the best and most gentle solution that I have found to prevent
scratching for normal cleaning.  But sometimes (when there is dust and oil
combined, the lens fluid is advisable.

Contrary to many recent comments here, I use multicoated clear or UV filters
for protection whenever I shoot under adverse conditions, expecially when
there might be blowing dirt.  Many of the adverse comments about protection
filters seem to be by those who do not understand the difference between
uncoated, single coated and multi coated protection filters.  When I use
filters, I always use high quality multicoated filters.   Uncoated or even
single coated filters can reduce contrast and indue flare.  High quality
multicoated filters are almost indistinguishable.  One must be careful to
select the right filters.  

By the way, it might also be advisable to clean off the excess grease on the
back of Leica lenses so that this grease does not collect dirt.  I use a q-tip
and a toothpick with cotton on the tip for this.  I would not advise using any
solvent to do this.

Tom Shea