By Carole Vansickle
Cleaning your camera lenses and filters is vital to getting good pictures. Ironically, however, the cleaning process ultimately shortens the life of your camera lens or filter. To minimize the damage, you should focus on maximizing the effectiveness of your cleaning so that you have to do it as seldom as possible. Keeping your camera in an airtight, lined case in between uses will help keep your lenses largely free of maintenance requirements. Lenses and filters can be cleaned using the same tools and processes.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You'll Need:
- Microfiber lens cloth
Lens cleaning fluid
Dust grabber
Air capsule brush
- Microfiber lens cloth
- Lens cleaning fluid
- Dust grabber
- Air capsule brush
Step 1
Blow off any excess dust. Whenever possible, it is best to remove dust without touching the lens or filter at all. Use the air capsule brush to blow any small particles off of the lens. You can also use the very tip of the brush to pick up larger pieces, but be careful not to pull them across the lens. Rather, touch the brush to the particle and then lift it straight up and away.
Step 2
Wipe down the lens. If there are not smears or oils on the lens or filter, then you can probably clean it with a dry microfiber lens cloth. Make sure that your fingers are completely covered by the cloth so that you do not create additional smears as you are cleaning. Use a gentle, circular motion and light pressure. If you can feel dirt or sand particles under the cloth, then stop immediately before you scratch the lens and go back to the blower to remove them.
Step 3
Clean ingrained or set dirt with the lens cleaner. Too much liquid cleaner can damage your lens or filter. A single drop in the center of the filter or lens will be sufficient. Use gentle pressure and a circular motion with the microfiber lens cloth to rub the lens cleaner around. This should leave your pictures looking brighter and clearer than before. The cleaner is alcohol-based and will dry quickly so you do not need to dry the lens.
About the Author:
Carole VanSickle has over five years experience working with scientists and creative scholars to promote and explain their work. She is based in Atlanta, Ga., and specializes in scientific, medical and technical writing, SEO and educational content.
