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Lens and filter cleaning

davidwien
May 3, 2024
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    davidwien
    Team 1676 posts
    May 3, 2024, 10:07 a.m. May 3, 2024, 10:07 a.m.
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    For nearly 50 years I have been using a brush on the end of a puffer for cleaning dust specs off lenses and filters, but the rubber is getting old and the white plastic tube frequently falls off the bulb. I would like to replace it.

    L1011873_b.jpg

    What do others use?

    Any recommendations?

    David

    L1011873_b.jpg

    JPG, 525.4 KB, uploaded by davidwien on May 3, 2024.

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    leitz
    Members 177 posts
    May 3, 2024, 10:32 a.m. May 3, 2024, 10:32 a.m.
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    @davidwien has written:

    For nearly 50 years I have been using a brush on the end of a puffer for cleaning dust specks off lenses and filters, but the rubber is getting old and the while plastic tube frequently falls off the bulb. I would like to replace it.

    L1011873_b.jpg

    What do others use? Any recommendations?
    David

    This is the one I use:
    www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1176843-REG/dot_line_dl_1770_blower_brush_small.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&smpm=ba_f2_lar&lsft=BI%3A514&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxZO4h6PxhQMVUjutBh1bgw_DEAQYAiABEgKWu_D_BwE

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    Maoby
    Members 1587 posts
    May 3, 2024, 10:35 a.m. May 3, 2024, 10:35 a.m.
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    Dust Off
    www.zerbee.com/Products/Falcon-Dust-Off-Compressed-Gas-Duster__FALDPSXL6.aspx

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    DonaldB
    Members 2365 posts
    May 3, 2024, 9:26 p.m. May 3, 2024, 9:26 p.m.
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    @davidwien has written:

    For nearly 50 years I have been using a brush on the end of a puffer for cleaning dust specs off lenses and filters, but the rubber is getting old and the white plastic tube frequently falls off the bulb. I would like to replace it.

    L1011873_b.jpg

    What do others use?

    Any recommendations?

    David

    i live near the sea so a good clean cotton shirt and breath condensation does the job.

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    Sagittarius
    Members 727 posts
    May 3, 2024, 11:10 p.m. May 3, 2024, 11:10 p.m.
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    When walking I am using this and rocket blower
    www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089GLLGH6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    Before leaving house - this
    www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NM8ZNF5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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    DonaldB
    Members 2365 posts
    May 3, 2024, 11:53 p.m. May 3, 2024, 11:53 p.m.
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    @Sagittarius has written:

    When walking I am using this and rocket blower
    www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089GLLGH6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    Before leaving house - this
    www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NM8ZNF5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    that looks cool, might have to get me one of those

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    davidwien
    Team 1676 posts
    May 5, 2024, 9:16 p.m. May 5, 2024, 9:16 p.m.
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    Thanks for the suggestions.

    @leitz The B&H one looks like mine; and I live in Europe, so I dont shop there.

    @Maoby Yours looks expensive and is also from the USA: I dont use my brush very often anyway.

    @DonaldB Yes, your shirt looks cost effective, but knowing me I would scratch the lens with mine.

    @Sagitarius the first of your suggestions looks good, and is also available on Amazon.de: the second looks like overkill, and is not anymore available.

    Thanks again, all, for your responses!

    David

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    bobn2
    Team 2240 posts
    May 6, 2024, 4:36 p.m. May 6, 2024, 4:36 p.m.
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    I use a variety of methods, depending on the needs. Mostly I try not to clean lenses - just puff off the dust with a rocket puffer (which are absurdly low-cost). I haven't found a brush to do anything the rocket blower can't, so I don't use it. If the lens needs cleaning properly I usually wet clean it with a (clean) microfibre lens cloth moistened using a small atomiser spray full of lens cleaning fluid. When I ran out I took to making my own, The recipe is 50% iso-propyl alcohol and 50% de-ionised water plus a trace of a non-coloured surfactant as a wetting agent (to prevent smears). The one I used is called Alcohols C9-11, Ethoxylated which can be bought from a chemical supplier. I pre-dilute, five drops in 100 ml of de-ionised water, then 5 drops of that in 100 ml of the 50-50 mix. If you don't want to mess with chemicals get ready mixed lens cleaner. The moistened microfibre cloth should be used gently, without scrubbing and will usually get rid of splash marks or the odd accidental finger mark.
    For a lens that really gets fouled up (however careful you are, accidents do happen) the best last-resort rescue option is First Contact polymer cleaner (shop.stanwaxlaser.co.uk/first-contact-polymer-optics-cleaner---opticlean-1-p.asp in the uk, Google should be able to find a supplier where you are). I've had this clean up lenses that I would have classed as beyond cleaning, but it's a bit hair raising.

    davidwien and AlanSh like this.

    favorite 2

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    leitz
    Members 177 posts
    May 7, 2024, 3:22 a.m. May 7, 2024, 3:22 a.m.
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    @davidwien has written:

    Thanks for the suggestions.
    @leitz The B&H one looks like mine; and I live in Europe, so I don't shop there.

    I only used the B&H ad for the picture and description - Dot Line products are sold in most countries. A very similar camel's hair blower brush is marketed (or made) by Kaiser and widely distributed.

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    Greg
    Members 516 posts
    May 7, 2024, 8:23 p.m. May 7, 2024, 8:23 p.m.
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    This is an excellent blower, and it is reasonably priced too.
    Overall length, 5 3/4”
    Lenspen Hurricane Blower Bulb HB-1

    For anyone in the UK…
    Camera Centre UK LTD. Cardiff, Wales.
    i.ebayimg.com/images/g/kZsAAOSwRkdjYVQg/s-l960.png
    www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403971363340

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