Micro-fibre cloths for lens cleaning

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

Ok I may as well just ask it,what micro-fibre cloths do you use for cleaning lenses? I have bought some cheap ones from China but they are not as soft as some of my ones that have come from the local Optometrist.

What makes for a quality micro-fibre cloth? Or do you use something else?

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

I use the ones made to clean (reading) glasses and are very soft and fine. Got from my optician with my glasses. Wash them often!

scsambrook · Expire: 2011-11-18

Mo - I've tried various so-called microfibre cloths and find their efficiency varies tremendously. My optician gave me a large (almost A4 size) black and gold Nikon one that simply smears whatever lens I try to clean. It does the same with my specs. Just about every other one i've used does the same. He also gave me half a dozen of their own-name freebie ones that actually work pretty well - breathe lightly on lens after blowing away any debris and then rub gently - bingo! Perfectly clean smear free lens. But they're only about 3x2 inches in size and the latest ones he got in stock are by no means the same material. I guess the lesson is that the make-up of these micro-fibre cloths varies.

For many years we used nothing but 'Selvyt' brand woven cotton "velvet" cloths in the photo shops I managed. No impregantion, just a wonderful, soft cloth that could be washed a million times to keep it in perfect condition. Look at http://www.selvyt.co.uk/selvyt-cloths/polishing-cloths/ - the premium version is the same that we had 40 years ago. No added chemicals, nothing synthetic.

I've yet to find a micro-fibre cloth that's actually any better than the old Selvyt one. Most aren't nearly as good. Selvyts aren't cheap to buy but you only need buy one once (provided you don't lose it!). Wash with non-bio soap flakes and rinse thoroughly . . .

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

Thanks Klaus and Stephen,I know what you mean by there is no uniform quality in these cloths.That Selvyt website did turn up in my google search...I will check it out.

I spent half an hour doing my best Ralph macchio (Karate Kid 1) impersonation of wipe on wipe off Laughing

This may be a dumb question, but if the glass is still smearing, it means the dirt or grime is still present? Even after changing cloths.

I read somewhere that washing them in demineralised water is the best way.I know eventually it comes down to trial and error and what suits you,but I don't mind hearing what works for others.

visualopsins · Expire: 2021-06-22

Pec-Pads -- I use the small 4x4" size -- these are clean-room grade disposable micro-fibre cloths.

About smearing, and the related novice complaint "all the lenses I try to clean end up worse" -- of course it is going to take some elbow grease and repeated cleanings to get off years of built-on dirt.

Once the surface is almost clean, I use a fresh Pec-Pad with one drop of Eclipse (reagent-grade methanol) to wipe off any streaks, then an earbud/q-tip for cleaning any minor spots.

Three years ago I buy small bottle of Eclipse & 100-pack of Pec-Pads on ebay for $15. Most remains! (and I cleaned many lenses).

https://www.google.com/search?q=pec-pad&gws_rd=ssl

Jesito · Expire: 2015-01-07

Be careful with microfiber. There are many kinds of microfiber, includind the ones used to polish car paint, they can be very aggressive, so I'd follow Klaus advice: buy them at the opticians store. Don't trust the cheap chinese ones...

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

Thanks again,that was what I was thinking Jes,I bought them in the hope that if I could not use them on the lenses, then they could be used on something else....not a car of course.
Just for interests sake, I bought from this seller,the 6 pack grey cloths Click here to see on Ebay For the amount I paid it was worth the risk. I would not call them ultra fine,at least to my touch they feel harder than an optometrists cloth.

We need a review of microfibre cloths and sellers that people have used for reference.

I have heard of that eclipse liquid,not sure if we can get it here in Australia. Thanks for confirming the novice complaint Laughing

Rick1779 · Expire: 2014-06-06

Tedat · Joined: 08 Nov 2011 Posts: 800 Location: Berlin/Germany

I use a ZEISS lens cleaning kit and I'm happy with it:

http://www.zeiss.com/camera-lenses/en_au/camera_lenses/accessories/cleaning_products.html

visualopsins · Expire: 2021-06-22

philslizzy · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 4749 Location: Cheshire, England

you could buy a microfibre cloth at a camera store.

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

Sadly Phil, there are not that many camera stores left,especially in country Australia...and traveling over 100km-250+ for a cloth, I just can't justify it. It comes down to cost as well, buying online from overseas can be a fraction cheaper than buying here in Australia.It's knowing the products to look for and where to look for them.

I know I can find the disposible wipes very/fairly easily so that may be the way to go.

sceptic · Joined: 01 Jun 2013 Posts: 255

I�m always looking for an optimum way of cleaning optics, and have found that an optician's microfibre cloth for cleaning glasses works best for me. It combines absorption of liquid with absolutely zero lint/fibres being released from it. Its fibres are so short and woven so well that the cloth almost appears "shiny" (caused by the extremely smooth surface). I keep it in an old film canister and try and only use it with gloved hands to avoid having finger grease absorbed into it. I throw it in the washer machine (no fabric softener!) almost once every two weeks.

Lens paper leaves no deposits, but also doesn't absorb anything, resulting in liquid just being pushed around on the lens surface (leaving streaks when drying).

"Fluffy" microfibre cloths have great absorption of liquid, but releases fibres when used. I use these for cleaning lens barrels and wiping grease from helicals (not the same cloth for both tasks, I might add) where they perform flawlessly.

Lenspens are, in my opinion, not a viable option as they leave carbon streaks and need to be followed by wiping with, for instance, a microfibre cloth. Perhaps other makes of Lenspens differ from mine, YMMV.

Farside · Expire: 2013-12-27

I use isopropanol and microfibre cloths from the supermarket.
I was fairly careful about the cloths, until I was sure of the quality of them, but because one good purchase was made, doesn't mean that brand will all be good, so when I replace them I'll have to make sure of the new ones, too.
I also have several opticians' cloths from years of wearing spectacles, so they play a part, too.
Some lenses are just so manky it takes ages to clean them, but eventually they do come good. So far I haven't scratched any, even with the cheapies.

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

Thanks for all your replies,I have picked up a pack of Pec pads (sounds like the start of a tongue twister Laughing

) I will try them out soon enough on some test lenses that I have.

norland · Joined: 10 Aug 2013 Posts: 165