Blackmagic Forum

Bought some lens tissue and spray from local camera stop and not impressed. I remember we had a brand that I really like way back when I was working on Black Gold but I can't remember what it was. What do you guys use?

Brad Ballew wrote:Bought some lens tissue and spray from local camera stop and not impressed. I remember we had a brand that I really like way back when I was working on Black Gold but I can't remember what it was. What do you guys use?

Don't use paper "tissue" because it will scratch lens glass. Instead, use a microfiber cloth designed for cleaning lenses. Importantly, before touching the lens glass, either breath on it (to cause condensation) or use a mild lens cleaning fluid designed for the purpose.

Don't wipe dry lens glass; slightly moisten the lens before wiping it. Or, if a lens is very dusty/dirty, use an extremely soft lens cleaning brush to gently remove particles before moistening & wiping the lens. Condensation from your breath is safe & usually works well.

FilmTools.com and other companies sell lens microfiber cleaning cloths & fluid. Only a very small amount of moisture is needed each time, so a small bottle of fluid can last a very long time.
http://search.filmtools.com/search?keyw ... masupplies

Rosco lens tissue is the standard and is what I use all the time. I never use microfiber cloth because of the risk that there could be dirt in it.

Peter J. DeCrescenzo wrote:Importantly, before touching the lens glass, (...) breathe on it (to cause condensation) (...)

Nikon seems to disagree

http://nikonrumors.com/2012/12/07/nikon ... ting.aspx/

Christian Schmeer wrote:

Peter J. DeCrescenzo wrote:Importantly, before touching the lens glass, (...) breathe on it (to cause condensation) (...)

Nikon seems to disagree

http://nikonrumors.com/2012/12/07/nikon ... ting.aspx/

I guess I'll keep my acid breath away from my lenses then.

Ordered some roscoe tissue and fluid...

Thanks guys..

I use either Panchro or until time runs out I use zeiss lens wipes. Time was you could find Zeiss lens wipes for $3/50 at walmart. I haven't found a good source for them recently which leads me to think they have been discontinued, but they are excellent. I found a source on ebay and bought thousands of them, to hopefully keep in stock for as long as possible.

The Zeiss wipes come premoistened with a panchro like formula, similar to how wipes for HMI globes come. You pull it out, wipe the lens to clean it (leaving slightly too much solution on the lens) then shake the wipe for 20 seconds until its dry, and finish cleaning the lens. Absolutely lint free, but thick (not like those terrible Kim wipes, which seem thin enough that finger grease will get through). I usually finish with a lens brush or air can, but usually that step isn't necissary. I would love to find a consistent source for those Zeiss wipes.

I try to get it mostly clean with blower brushes first (blowing, not brushing).
And from there it's Panchro fluid and Rosco tissue--- or a 1AC.