8mm Forum: Lens Cleaning

This is topic Lens Cleaning in forum General Yak at 8mm Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=000368

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on August 06, 2006, 02:25 PM:

Guys,

This may be whacky sounding but I assure you that I have seen it work.

Cleaning a lens, my brother showed me how effective Blu-tak is at removing all signs of dirt and grease. You need to ensure that your hands have not contaminated it but if you just gently dab it on the lens you will be amazed. Obviously keep changing the bit of blu-tack that faces the lens.

Try it yourself on a mirror-put a sticky fingerprint on oit and then use the blu-tak to get it off. It make take a bit of practice!

Patent Pending-My Bro.

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on August 06, 2006, 02:59 PM:

What is Blu-Tak, is that like Windex?

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on August 06, 2006, 03:05 PM:

Blu-Tak for the un-enlightened

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on August 06, 2006, 03:48 PM:

Ah, those thingies. Now that's kind of a clever idea... basically "dab" the dirt & dust off the lens. Neat... I'd still rather just use lens cleaning paper, though...

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on August 06, 2006, 04:58 PM:

Jan

The honour of my 1000th gob-shite post is all yours.

I would never use lens cleaning paper- always make me thing of sand paper [Eek!]

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on August 06, 2006, 08:39 PM:

*chuckle* I, uh, appreciate the honor (I think) [Big Grin]

And no, lens cleaning paper is actually super-thin and velvety-soft... yet more "papery" than, say, a tissue... you see it's hard to really put into words, I'll just say this much, though: Kodak sells lens paper so it must be something to take seriously [Wink]

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on August 06, 2006, 10:43 PM:

Blu-tak will clean a lens, but can be harsh on the blooming (the purple color coating) on the outside elements. The blooming assists with light transmission through the elements so your lens is much more efficient if the blooming is not worn off.

Lens tissue is only ever meant to be used with a liquid lens cleaner - a few drops on each sheet. Never use them dry, they will scratch. Start from the centre of the lens and swirl outwards, repeating a few times.

Kodak produce both and I also use Roscoe lens tissue and cleaner. This is what the professionals in cinemas and production use. Each pad and bottle are only a few dollars each.

If you have not recently, or ever, cleaned the rear element of your projection lens (the one nearest the gate). A good clean with tissue and solution will transform the sharpness and colour of your projected images.

The rule for how frequently to clean lenses: only when it needs it! Too often and the blooming will rub off, not often enough and the image will suffer.

David

Posted by David Brooks (Member # 621) on August 09, 2006, 04:27 PM:

I use lens cleaner made by Edmund Scientific (they have a website). I use Q-tips and/or clean soft cotton cloth to clean the lens followed with compressed air to blow off dust (before cleaning) and aftewards to assure the lens is dry again.

I have found that regular cleaner made for an individuals glasses also works good on regular lenses. The cleaners are now much better than before as they are design to not damage coatings on the people's glasses.

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2