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Lenspen and filters?

puckhead193

puckhead193

macrumors G3
Original poster
May 25, 2004
9,581
873
NY
I know a lot of people on here like to use a lenspen for cleaning their lens, but was wondering, can you use these on filters? The same company makes a "filterklear". Is it the same thing? I don't have any special filters (ie, polarizers etc) just basic UV for protection purposes.

Thanks!
 
So I went into my local camera store today to buy a new lenspen. For the life of me I can't find it :mad:
..I go in and they don't have them and don't recommend them because they scratch the lens. The manager said that Nikon, Canon, Sony etc don't recommend them. The manager goes on and says its best to use the solution and lens tissue. I go to him if its really dirty yes, but if its just a fingerprint its fine and that I've use it before with no issues. :confused:

Anyone have any issues when using a lenspen?
 
puckhead193 said:
So I went into my local camera store today to buy a new lenspen. For the life of me I can't find it :mad:
..I go in and they don't have them and don't recommend them because they scratch the lens. The manager said that Nikon, Canon, Sony etc don't recommend them. The manager goes on and says its best to use the solution and lens tissue. I go to him if its really dirty yes, but if its just a fingerprint its fine and that I've use it before with no issues. :confused:

Anyone have any issues when using a lenspen?
Click to expand...

As long as you use it properly, there should be no problem.

The real danger is in scratching grit like sand or dirt into the lens by means of the rubbing action. However, this is a danger with any cleaning method that includes rubbing or polishing. Even lens tissues.

The solution is to use the brush to make sure any dirt or sand is removed from the lens before you use the absorbent felt of the pen, and to make sure the absorbent felt portion stays clean and free of dirt.
 
I have a kit that has a lenspen for the main glass, one just for filters, and one for the viewfinder. I can't tell what the difference is between the one for the filter and the one for the lens, though.
 
Ruahrc said:
As long as you use it properly, there should be no problem.

The real danger is in scratching grit like sand or dirt into the lens by means of the rubbing action. However, this is a danger with any cleaning method that includes rubbing or polishing. Even lens tissues.

The solution is to use the brush to make sure any dirt or sand is removed from the lens before you use the absorbent felt of the pen, and to make sure the absorbent felt portion stays clean and free of dirt.
Click to expand...

that's what I thought.. I just thought that a lot of people use them, recommend them, and for quick cleaning its fine. I have no idea what this guy was talking about. W.e. i ordered another and should be here in a few days.
 
puckhead193 said:
Anyone have any issues when using a lenspen?
Click to expand...

Absolutely none. You should always brush away debris before buffing. If you have debris on the felt tip that will of course cause problems. (So will linty tissues.) Unless they have changed their formula recently, the cleaning tip uses a graphite powder, and the interior of the cap has a small bit of foam. You should twist the cap to clean the tip, and never leave it uncapped for long.

And since you should always have a protective optic filter on your lens, any possible damage should be inconsequential. It's exceedingly rare I need to actually polish the front optics of a lens, it's most often the rear optics (SLR lenses) due to a hasty grip leaving a fingerprint. As a much smaller and usually curved element it requires much less motion and pressure.

There are also cheaper OEM/knockoffs branded by Optex and Foto Source, etc. Still haven't had issues with those. Admittedly I use the brush tip about three times as often as the felt tip.

My brother used tissue and liquid in the 80s. I wouldn't go back to it. :p I have a chamoise when I shoot in wet weather.
 
Last edited:
puckhead193 said:
So I went into my local camera store today to buy a new lenspen. For the life of me I can't find it :mad:
..I go in and they don't have them and don't recommend them because they scratch the lens. The manager said that Nikon, Canon, Sony etc don't recommend them. The manager goes on and says its best to use the solution and lens tissue. I go to him if its really dirty yes, but if its just a fingerprint its fine and that I've use it before with no issues. :confused:

Anyone have any issues when using a lenspen?
Click to expand...

Not sure about the others, but Nikon sells a Nikon-branded lens pen. That by itself blows up what the manager told you.
 
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