Windex has some slightly moist wipes that work very well with filters, then I usually follow up with a clean microfiber cloth. In my experience, the lens pen must be handled very carefully in order that it NOT pick up oil from somewhere and redeposit it where it's unwelcome. I usually use my lens pen to clean the viewfinder eyepiece on my cameras and it's hard to keep them from picking up oil there, so I try to keep at least one clean lens pen as a spare. I need to find a good method to clean the lens pens, if they can be cleaned, because they aren't cheap enough here to be disposable. I wash my microfiber cloths in mild detergent, rinse well and hang them up inside to dry.
Len --- -----Original Message----- From: Peifer, William [OCDUS] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 7:16 AM To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' Subject: RE: What's the best way to clean filters? On the Lens Pen, William Robb wrote: > I tried using a brand new lens pen to clean the rear element of my > finder base not long ago. This is not a product I will use on anything > I like, ever again. I was afraid it had wrecked my finder base by > smearing a grease like substance onto the glass. Hi Bill, I've occasionally noticed the same smearing effect when I use a Lens Pen. I believe that the grease I see in these cases is actually grease that's already on the optic. (If I do a detergent-and-water cleaning on an optic like that, I find that going back at it with a Lens Pen doesn't introduce any new grease.) I don't think these pens are good at removing large amounts of grease, but I've found that they work pretty well for cleaning small amounts of grease, and they're pretty convenient in the field -- as long as you're not trying to clean anything that's ~too~ greasy. So I guess I have to qualify my answer. I wholeheartedly agree with your suggestion about dish detergent and warm water. One or two other folks mentioned that as well, and I think someone even mentioned using a sterile cotton ball along with the soap and water. That's exactly what I use to clean my 8" diameter telescope mirror, in fact. I'm curious if you've ever had any luck with glass cleaners like Windex. I've actually had good luck with this stuff on occasion, and I haven't noticed any residue if I do it carefully. I'd be interested to hear anyone else's experiences. Bill Peifer Rochester, NY - - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
