Lens Cleaner, DIY or BUY

[MagicCat]

Im wondering if there are any Pro's out here, in respect to maintaining lens's.

Recently, a local optics person gave me a simple formula for making my own lens cleaner. It seems to work very well, but, I also want to make sure I am not taking the coating off my lens's. I have a pair of HVX's

Formula for a small 6oz bottle

90% 91% (proof) Isopropyl Rubbing alcohol
10% Distilled Water
A couple drops of Dish Detergent.

Kim Wipes or a Clean Microfiber cloth.


Thats about it. It really cleans VERY well. But I dont know what it is doing to the coating on the lens. I only clean my glass about 3 or 4 times a year. I keep a disposable UV filter on it, that pretty much keeps the Actual Camera lens clean and 80% maintinance free.


I seem to remember a "Camera lens guy" once telling me he used straight Acetone. It was a long time ago and my memory could be botched on that. Acetone is nasty stuff, however, this person did complete rebuilds on bayonet lens's as well as the Cinema lens's that cost more than my humble home. I suppose if it is used only a few time's in a lens's lifetime, maybe it doesnt do any damage to the coating????


I dont live in an area where camera gear is available. This is why I ask about making my own mixtures. It is a two hour ride to the nearest Pro-Shop, otherwise, I have to shop on line for just about anything outside of a plastic bag or some hay for our horse....


Mucho Gratis for any input.

David AKA: MagicCat

Stop on in for a flick, we'll leave the light on for ya!
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[Cassius]

That looks like a pretty calm mixture, about the the same as you'd buy. I wouldn't worry about it. The cloth is the important part anyway in my mind. I actually don't use liquid most of the time, or not very much of it at least.

[MagicCat]

Thanks

I took some cues from a Window replacement pro once. He told me to NEVER wipe glass dry. Always put something on it before I make any contact with it. (outside of air-blown or a soft camel hair brush) The likelyhood of some tiny abraisive spec on the glass is, MORE than just likely, it does not take much to scratch it. He also told me when I do clean, to first spray a cleaner on, let it sit and desolve any dust or grime. More importantly, let it drip to the edges of the window before wiping. This way if any particles scratch the glass, it will be in a place less noticable.

It is probably overkill, but I have applied this same principal to cleaning my camera lens's.

For what it is worth, He wore Eyeglasses, they were 6 years old and there wasnt a scratch on them. That had a bigger impact on me than anything. After two years, even with decent care, mine always look like Tough Spun Diffusion paper:-)

Dave

[wgzn]

a window and eyeglasses are WAY different than a lens. i wouldnt apply enough liquid such that it ran to the edges of the lens. there is nothing saying that edge is sealed and youre likely to create way bigger problems than youre solving.

[DM_rider]

I never use liquid.

A fiber cloth and a rocket blower have worked perfectly fine for a good 6 years, never had a scratch on any of my cameras.