A client told me my lens cleaning method was leaving micro-scratches

I've been using the same microfiber cloth and lens fluid for about five years, thinking it was fine. A regular brought in a Leica Summicron he said I'd cleaned, and under his loupe you could see very fine, straight marks. He said, 'You're wiping in one direction with too much pressure, and the cloth picks up grit.' I switched to a circular motion with almost no pressure, and I now use a fresh piece of cloth for each lens. The difference on black glass is huge. Has anyone else had to completely relearn a basic step like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

hunt.kevin8d ago

Totally get this. I did the exact same thing with watch crystals for years. Used the same corner of a cloth until it felt dirty, pressed way too hard trying to get a streak off. Saw my own fine scratches under a bright light and felt like an idiot. Switched to those disposable lens tissues and a feather touch, making little circles. It feels wrong, like you're not really cleaning, but the results don't lie.

max9638d agoMost Upvoted

Ugh, that's the worst feeling, seeing the damage you did yourself. So the lens tissues don't leave any lint or fibers behind? I've avoided them thinking they'd just leave more junk on the crystal. What do you do about fingerprints or oily spots, just more light passes with a fresh tissue?