Lens Care, Cleaning Cloth, What do you use?

[wgp1987]

After some events I'd go to put my lens cap on and gasp at the garbage all over my lens, luckily i use filters. I do have one lens that i haven't been able to afford a filter for (till now, im buying one) and have been in need of a cleaning cloth or kit. I was wondering what everyone uses on their high end lenses because id hate to scratch my filter or my lens.

Im placing a very large order with BH and want to add this to my purchase. On a side not anyone know of an inexpensive memory card holder they'd recommend (compact flash)???? :hugs:

 

[Eclivic]

i use any cheap uv filter i can find. anything for protection

 

[Eclivic]

and the less you clean your lens the better. you can wipe the coatings

 

[Trever1t]

I use a Giotto blower and if that doesn't do the trick I use a lens brush with easy sweeps and blower again. I rarely ever use a wipe and I use no UV filters.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

My 24-70 and Tokina 11-16 and every other lens run totally nakie. I bought them for clarity, not to hide them behind an extra glass element. Hoods prevent scratches.

 

[Trever1t]

i use any cheap uv filter i can find. anything for protection

SO you put a cheap piece of glass in front of your expensive lens?

 

[Big Mike]

i use any cheap uv filter i can find. anything for protection

Are you not concerned that a cheap filter will degrade your image quality?

I personally don't use UV (or other) protection filters. Modern lenses have coating on them and they are actually very hard to scratch or damage. I do use hard plastic lens hoods, which should give some protection from a fall...but that's it.

As for cleaning my lenses, I usually have a couple lens cloths stuck somewhere in my camera bags, and I have a 'lens pen' type cleaning somewhere. But when I'm out shooting, I won't think twice about breathing on my lens and wiping it with my shirt.

 

[Eclivic]

SO you put a cheap piece of glass in front of your expensive lens?

yup most uv filters i use are around 15 bucks and dont effect quality one bit. if i scratch it then i chuck it

 

[DorkSterr]

I use a uv filter, lens hood and the cloth that came with my rayban sunglasses to clean the filter when needed. I hardly or never touch the actual front element on any of my lens.

 

[Big Mike]

SO you put a cheap piece of glass in front of your expensive lens?

yup most uv filters i use are around 15 bucks and dont effect quality one bit. if i scratch it then i chuck it

Even the most expensive filter will affect the image, one way or another. If you don't see the difference, that's OK.
Actually, most of us are too concerned about using quality lenses/filters etc.

 

[Overread17 5]

SO you put a cheap piece of glass in front of your expensive lens?

yup most uv filters i use are around 15 bucks and dont effect quality one bit. if i scratch it then i chuck it

Nearly every test I've seen has shown that cheap filters degrade image quality to some degree or another. At their best they just lower contrast and sharpness - at their worst I've read of AF being affected along with significant sharpness drops, flare problems and internal reflections.


I'd always stick to using a pro series filter not a cheap end of the market one; I've no problem putting quality glass in front of my lens for a gain, but I've a lot of problems spending high cash on lenses and then deliberately putting cheap glass in front for little to no gain).

 

[2WheelPhoto]

SO you put a cheap piece of glass in front of your expensive lens?

yup most uv filters i use are around 15 bucks and dont effect quality one bit. if i scratch it then i chuck it

who told you that?

 

[Trever1t]

Not everyone is concerned with capturing an image with the highest quality and a snapshot is just fine for them but I believe the object of these forums are for members to share and learn on how to improve both technique and technical.

I used to use UV filters, heck the "pro" camera shop says they're necessary....but I've since learned not to fall into that trap anymore.

 

[Eclivic]

This is where I shoot, Filters make no difference for me.

Maybe they do work better for some of you but the reality is this.

Show me an entire set of shots that are bad because of a cheap filter.

 

[wgp1987]

This looks ideal -
Giottos Lens Cleaning Kit with Small Rocket Air Blower CL1001
But id prefer the larger blower
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/541904-REG/Giottos_AA1903_Rocket_Air_Blower.html
But I think im going to buy ...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/541904-REG/Giottos_AA1903_Rocket_Air_Blower.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/555012-REG/Giottos_CL1310_CL1310_Retracting_2_Position.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/374562-REG/Nikon_8072_Micro_Fiber_Lens_Cleaning_Cloth.html

instead of the cleaning cloth does anyone recommend these?
Tiffen Lens Cleaning Paper (50 Single Sheets) EK1546027T-1 B&H