All-in-One DSLR Camera Cleaning Kit?

Roshnipun

I recently got into Photography, buying myself an entry-level Canon D1000 to start with. My occupation requires me to stay in area's around Southern Africa where not much modern civilization and well developed economic settings can be found. Hence I've been looking for some sort of all in one kit, that I can buy, which contains all the required items needed to maintain and keep my camera and equipement clean.
I also don't actually know what all I need to keep the camera clean, so that information would also be useful. What do I need to clean the internal mirror, the lenses themselves and any other aspects that I should need to keep in mind?
I have a Canon D1000 and 50mm, 18-55 and 75-300mm lenses. Any advice and information is much appreciated. Thanks.

Answer
"Kits" usually include items you do not need to keep your camera and lenses clean and leave out those you do.

What you need to keep your camera clean.

1) a UV filter to protect the front element of the lens(s). It can be removed when you are in a controlled environment like a studio, but when out in the World, the UV filter will protect the lens from mud, dust and moisture.
2) a microfibre cloth can be used to keep the filter clean.
3) cotton swabs can be used to get dust out of the crevasse's on the exterior of the camera
4) a "Rocket" blower can be used to blow the dust that may accumulate in the chamber behind the lens and before the shutter.
5) a rain sleeve to protect the camera while shooting in the rain

Here is what a UV filter can do for your lenses.

http://s862.photobucket.com/albums/ab182/fotomanaz/Answers%20album/?action=view&current=iDamage.jpg

After my lens was clunked by a fast moving photographer, all I was out was a $15 lens hood and $60 UV filter. The $800 lens was just fine.

I need help with my cleaning kit for my camera lenses?

maddison.

My kit included: air blower, lens cloth, lens cleaning liquid, brush, cotton swabs, and lens cleaning tissues

My question is how and what do I use all of them for? It didn't come with an instruction guide or anything

Answer
Here is how to use the kit

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/cleaning.htm

But the rule photographers follow is to never allow your camera or lens to get dirty enough to have to use the kit.

Throw out the cotton swabs, they can cause more damage than they are worth unless you are cleaning crevasses far away from the lens or internal areas of the camera

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Clean my flip camera lens?

Jason S

The lens on my flip camera is all spotty. Without having to buy a cleaning kit, what's the safest way to clean it at home?

Answer
Buy the cleaning kit and dont risk ruining your lens. The kit is a lot cheaper than a repair or a new camera.

When you invest in equipment you should know ahead of time youll need to invest in proper maintenance of the equipment.

would you recommend this kit for camera lens cleaning?

Made In Th

i have a Sony nex 5r camera and was looking for a lens cleaning kit, so i found this one on amazon

what do you think?

http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Cleaning-Cameras-Canon-Pentax/dp/B0080JH3YE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1381610814&sr=8-2&keywords=camera+kit

Answer
This kit would be fine for lens cleaning. In most cases you won't need more than the cleaning solution and the microfiber cloth. The rest is nice to have just in case. Remember, never spray the cleaner directly on the lens. Spray on the cloth and then wipe the lens.

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How can I clean my iPhone camera lens?

best camera lens cleaning kit image

x3rae

When I first got my iPhone in May it took amazing pictures, but now months later, the pictures aren't turning out so great. I personally think my camera lens is dirty or something. Does anyone know how I can clean it?

Answer
I would use a cotton swab like the kind you use to clean your ears, dip it in some isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, and clean the lens with it.
Or if you have any of those alcohol prep pads that come in first-aid kits
Alcohol evaporates quickly and won't leave a residue. It's good for cleaning most electronics.

I need a good point and shoot camera cleaning kit.?

ZenTurkey

I have a Lumix DMC-ZS3 and a Canon Powershot SX110IS that I need a good cleaning kit for. Most of the kits I find look very cheap. I've heard bad kits can leave lint on the lens or scratch the lens so I wouldn't mind spending a little extra to get a decent one that will clean both of these.

Answer
My opinion, you don't need a "kit". All you do need is a high quality micro fiber lens cloth. You should never, ever apply any kind of liquid to a lens.

One thing I do is carry a large size women's make up brush in my bag. The brush is very soft and is excellent for quick dust offs during or after a shoot. My micro fiber I use for the screens and for the outer filter.

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I need a good point and shoot camera cleaning kit.?

best camera lens cleaning kit image

ZenTurkey

I have a Lumix DMC-ZS3 and a Canon Powershot SX110IS that I need a good cleaning kit for. Most of the kits I find look very cheap. I've heard bad kits can leave lint on the lens or scratch the lens so I wouldn't mind spending a little extra to get a decent one that will clean both of these.

Answer
My opinion, you don't need a "kit". All you do need is a high quality micro fiber lens cloth. You should never, ever apply any kind of liquid to a lens.

One thing I do is carry a large size women's make up brush in my bag. The brush is very soft and is excellent for quick dust offs during or after a shoot. My micro fiber I use for the screens and for the outer filter.

what NOT to clean your camera lens with?

alfredhitc

What are some things most people would think is good to clean thier camera lens with but isnt good?

Answer
First of all it's prudent to try to never have to clean your lens. I accept though that this is impossible with a P&S camera. However with an SLR you can buy a UV filter for the lens which will protect the lens for its entire life.

Secondly, when you do have to clean a lens, the first, most important thing to do is blow it clean with a blower brush. Simply setting about cleaning it with a cloth can cause all manner of problems. If there happens to be a little speck of sand or other abrasive material on the lens surface you could scratch the lens. Only after you blow it clean is it a good idea to start to use a cloth.

That said, I agree with Ben H in his recommendations. Methyl alcohol (available at most hardware stores) usually gets rid of most problems when a simple wipe of the micro fibre cloth doesn't work. Now don't coat the lens with the alcohol, if that stuff gets inside the lens it can also disolve some of the grease and cause the lens to jam. Instead place a drop or two in the middle of the lens and work outwards with your cloth in a circular motion.

His Windex comment is a bit unorthodox I'll admit and should be a "last resort" solution but it does work. I've not had a fungus problem so I can't comment if it works on fungus or not (though I suspect it does), however one problem I've had often comes from the seaside. I don't have a clue what the chemistry of the air is along the ocean but I've often found a real goo coating my UV filter. Trying to clean it dry doesn't work it simply smears things worse. Often alcohol also doesn't work, you're just smearing the goo around more.

In those situations I've found the Windex to work really well too. It seems to disolve that goo more thoroughly and leaves you with a lens in pristine condition once more. However, unlike my earlier advice, in this case you need a different technique.

First of all in this case you're trying to dissolve a coating of guck that accumulated from the air. A couple of drops isn't going to do that. I'd place several drops on the lens again making sure they stay in the middle and then I'd GENTLY work from the centre to the outside of the lens in a circular fashion. The stress is on Gently because you will have salt crystals mixed in with the goo that can scratch the lens. So what you're trying to do on the first pass is disolve them and get rid of them.

Keep in mind when you do this that you are also contaminating your cloth. If you use the same spot on the cloth in the next cleaning, you'll simply smear the goo back on the lens. So the second time you do this use a different part of the cloth or better yet, another cloth. Usually after three or four attempts the lens will come clean.

Once you've done that it's a good idea to thoroughly clean your cloth under warm running water to get rid of all the residue. Then hang it out to dry and when dry it's ready for the next time.

Another answer is to visit your local camera shop. Many still carry a lens cleaning fluid which usually works on lenses. The only problem is that this stuff is usually more expensive than the other solutions. On the positive side though if you bought a couple of those bottles, once they're empty you can use one for the alcohol and the other for the windex. This way you'll have these with you in your camera kit wherever you go.

I hope that helps a little.

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How can I clean my camera lens?

best camera lens cleaning kit image

pineapple3

I have what seems like a little spot on my lens and i don't have a cleaning kit with me, i am in a hotel, so what can i use to clean it?
whats the difference between the sensor and lens??

Answer
Unless it's on the Sensor, you can easily clean the lens with a napkin or a cloth- nothing much can go wrong, it's just the outside of the lens right? If so, yeah, use a Napkin! You don't need a fancy, delicate kit. When it comes to the Sensor, you DO need a fancy, delicate kit.

how can i fix my foggy camera lens?

Josh Dolle

hi i have a minolta 7000 slr film camera with two lenses one is a 35-200mm and the other is a 70-210mm. so i looked through them in the view finder ( i think that's what it is called) and the 70-210mm lens looks perfect. but the 35-200mm lens looks cloudy and it is hard to see items every thing just looks like it is all blended and it looks darker.

I tried cleaning the whole thing the front and the back optical parts with a lens cleaning kit and it looks perfect physically. but the pictures still look the same

Is there any thing i can do?

Answer
Check the lens. Is there moisture inside? Take the lens off. Can you see through it clearly? Are there dirt or fungi inside? Are there signs the lens coating has come off or peeled? It's an old lens. It's probably time to let go already. If you really want to keep using the camera, you can buy a cheaper replacement at eBay.

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what NOT to clean your camera lens with?

best camera lens cleaning kit image

alfredhitc

What are some things most people would think is good to clean thier camera lens with but isnt good?

Answer
First of all it's prudent to try to never have to clean your lens. I accept though that this is impossible with a P&S camera. However with an SLR you can buy a UV filter for the lens which will protect the lens for its entire life.

Secondly, when you do have to clean a lens, the first, most important thing to do is blow it clean with a blower brush. Simply setting about cleaning it with a cloth can cause all manner of problems. If there happens to be a little speck of sand or other abrasive material on the lens surface you could scratch the lens. Only after you blow it clean is it a good idea to start to use a cloth.

That said, I agree with Ben H in his recommendations. Methyl alcohol (available at most hardware stores) usually gets rid of most problems when a simple wipe of the micro fibre cloth doesn't work. Now don't coat the lens with the alcohol, if that stuff gets inside the lens it can also disolve some of the grease and cause the lens to jam. Instead place a drop or two in the middle of the lens and work outwards with your cloth in a circular motion.

His Windex comment is a bit unorthodox I'll admit and should be a "last resort" solution but it does work. I've not had a fungus problem so I can't comment if it works on fungus or not (though I suspect it does), however one problem I've had often comes from the seaside. I don't have a clue what the chemistry of the air is along the ocean but I've often found a real goo coating my UV filter. Trying to clean it dry doesn't work it simply smears things worse. Often alcohol also doesn't work, you're just smearing the goo around more.

In those situations I've found the Windex to work really well too. It seems to disolve that goo more thoroughly and leaves you with a lens in pristine condition once more. However, unlike my earlier advice, in this case you need a different technique.

First of all in this case you're trying to dissolve a coating of guck that accumulated from the air. A couple of drops isn't going to do that. I'd place several drops on the lens again making sure they stay in the middle and then I'd GENTLY work from the centre to the outside of the lens in a circular fashion. The stress is on Gently because you will have salt crystals mixed in with the goo that can scratch the lens. So what you're trying to do on the first pass is disolve them and get rid of them.

Keep in mind when you do this that you are also contaminating your cloth. If you use the same spot on the cloth in the next cleaning, you'll simply smear the goo back on the lens. So the second time you do this use a different part of the cloth or better yet, another cloth. Usually after three or four attempts the lens will come clean.

Once you've done that it's a good idea to thoroughly clean your cloth under warm running water to get rid of all the residue. Then hang it out to dry and when dry it's ready for the next time.

Another answer is to visit your local camera shop. Many still carry a lens cleaning fluid which usually works on lenses. The only problem is that this stuff is usually more expensive than the other solutions. On the positive side though if you bought a couple of those bottles, once they're empty you can use one for the alcohol and the other for the windex. This way you'll have these with you in your camera kit wherever you go.

I hope that helps a little.

How to clean a camera lens?

kelli c

I have a cannon rebel that I got from ebay and the lens is dirty, I orderd a cleaning kit, but it looks like a pen, one side is a brush and I have no idea what the other side does it looks like flat rubber but when i ran across a piece of paper it left a black trail? how do i use this thing or what can I use around the house to get these smudges off?

Answer
I use to sell Cameras I now operate broadcast cameras and really all you need is an anti static cleaning cloth (microfibre) you can pick them up at either your local supermarket / grocery food store or electronic or car stores.

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