Where to get your camera lens cleaned?

[iKwak]

Hello, there is a fingerprint right on the center of the lens. (clumsy buddy)
I don't whether to take the camera to a dealer (Ritz Camera stores) or buy one of those cleaning kit you find in Office Depot and Staples.

Suggestions?

[Clemmie]

I don't recommend those cheapie 'cleaning kits' - just some quality Lens Cleaning Tissue, which you may find at Ritz. Do not try to substitute normal Tissue, which contains oils that can make a bad problem impossible.

What I use is Kodak Lens Cleaning Tissue. It comes in a 'Kodak Yellow' envelope - 50 sheets for around $2 or less.

Use the Lens Tissue with a gentle circular motion, to polish out the fingerprint. Then fit a Skylight or UV filter to the lens, tightly, as a permanent fixture to protect the front lens element from a recurrence of this problem. This is standard practice for me - when I buy a lens, I also buy a UV filter to fit it.

[iKwak]

Then fit a Skylight or UV filter to the lens, tightly, as a permanent fixture to protect the front lens element from a recurrence of this problem.

There is a skylight/uv filter for a digital camera lens? The camera is a Canon Powershot S50.

[Clemmie]

Of course. The same filter material as for film cameras - it is photo neutral, having no effect on image. You just have to find the proper size to fit, which can be a challenge for some.

Now if the camera is like some point & shoots (I'm not familiar with your model), and happens to not have the threading for attaching a filter to the lens - then, you'll just need to keep that pack of lens tissue close at hand, and tell your buddies to be more careful where they put their fingers.

[iKwak]

Oh okay. I was asking because my model is a point and shoot type and the lens goes in when the front is open and goes back in when the front is closed.

[Clemmie]

And indeed (I went and took a look at the model online) I see it is one of those retracting lens models which - just like my little Kodak - ain't gonna accept the filters for protection.

So, like I said before, get the pack of Kodak Lens Cleaning Tissue - and keep it handy.

Now, with the lens element being a bit recessed inside a small hole like it is - it will be quite difficult to get at by just holding the tissue over your fingertip. May have to wrap it over the end of a Q-tip to get in there.

Gently - patiently - keep moving the tissue a bit, so as to keep fresh clean tissue in contact with the lens - circular motion - until you've covered it all, and the tissue has removed all contaminants from the lens surface.

[Clemmie]

Just a thought.....if you're going to loan it out much, you might consider one of these. Protects the whole camera.

http://shopper.cnet.com/Canon_PowerS...447_9-21258242

[iKwak]

Where did ya pick up your Kodak cleaning tissue?

[Clemmie]

Any actual Camera store will have it in stock. It's usually one of those 'hid behind the counter - have to ask for it' items. It's just 50 sheets of a thin tissue, packed in a roughly 3x5 yellow envelope - price will run $1 to $2.

If no camera stores are handy, try an eBay search for 'Kodak Lens Cleaning Paper' (which is the title on the envelope). A little more pricey that way due to shipping, of course - but sometimes ya gotta, ya know.
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Quoting from the envelope:

Kodak lens cleaning paper

A soft, lintless paper specially prepared for cleaning lenses, filters, and other highly polished glass surfaces. Safe for coated lenses, too.
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A real camera store may also have lens cleaning papers packaged by one of the major camera or lens makers (Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, etc.) Rarely they bother stocking these, with the Kodak being so well known - but if you do happen upon those, they'll be OK too.

DO NOT use the 'open packed' wads of 'tissue' that you'll see in those off-brand $3-$5 'lens cleaning kits'. They are a very coarse tissue that can easily ruin your lens. For that matter, avoid those kits in their entirety, because the little brush is no good either.

[Sebastian]

iKwak,

A microfiber cloth and a huff on the lens will do the trick. DOn't waste your money on the filter. Lenses get dirty, and cleaning them is nothing special. No need to take it anywhetre or do anything fancy.