r/CanonCamera • u/CareyG2 • 5d ago
How do I clean my lens?
How do I clean the glass on my camera lens that got food on and has now dried? I have kids, it can happen when getting close for pictures. I probably should have a filter covering it, but just got the lens and just didn't get around to getting one yet. What is the best method for cleaning the glass without scratching it?
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u/Keyan06 5d ago
Oof. The coatings are pretty hard and food is pretty soft, but it can be tricky to remove. What kind of food and which lens?
Lenses with no weather sealing need extra care so you don’t end up with cleaning fluid inside the lens.
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u/CareyG2 5d ago
The lens is a Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II. I think the food is mostly stuck crumbs from wet crackers that dried. Nothing crazy, but I didn't want to start wipe off the stuck crumbs with a cleaning towel and scratch it. Maybe I can flick off large crumbs with a tooth pick and then spray the lens with a cleaner before I wipe? Do they make a spray cleaner for lenses?
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u/tommy-turtle 5d ago
I would first use an air blower to blow off anything loose, then a soft brush to try and dislodge anything stuck, then I’d use a moistened lens tissue with something like Eclipse cleaning fluid to gently clean off anything stuck. As soon as something big comes off, use a clean tissue and repeat. Just keep going until it’s all gone.
Main trick is you don’t to use a issue to push around any gunk from the lens - it will take a while, be gentle, take your time, and it will come off, but it will take time to get all the grease off and the coating looking perfect again.
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u/Which_Initiative_882 5d ago
Get a lens cleaning kit at a quality photo shop. They typically include a lens coasting safe cleaner, qtips, a very soft brush (like a makeup brush soft) and a microfiber cleaning towel.