Lens Cleaning at DVinfo.net

July 20th, 2002, 08:03 AM

I have a an XL1s with the standard 16X lens. Recently I had to clean a small dot from the front outside face of the lens with a small amount of alcohol. Can any one tell me if the outside faces of this lens have protective coatings or not.

Jeff Donald · July 20th, 2002, 02:34 PM

The front element of the standard 16x lens is multi coated. The multi coating used on exposed surfaces is very hard and not easily damaged.

Jeff

Don Palomaki · July 20th, 2002, 07:42 PM

FWIW: The front element is a piece of plane optical glass, its purpose is to protect the internal VAP elements which is the next item in the optical path.

Jeff Donald · July 20th, 2002, 08:25 PM

Don,

Are you saying that it's not multi coated? I'm holding the lens, looking at it in the light and I sure see a multi coating.

Jeff

Rob Moreno · July 21st, 2002, 09:02 AM

Speaking about cleaning spots, what about filters? I had some spots on my multi-coated polarizing filter and didn't have any lens cleaner with me, so I hesitantly used generic glass cleaner. Is this not recommended?

Don Palomaki · July 21st, 2002, 11:04 AM

It no doubt is coated. But it is not an active (refractive) element. It is there to protect, much like flks use a UV or skylight filter to protect the front element.

Jeff Donald · July 21st, 2002, 11:18 AM

Don,

Thanks for making that clear for me.

Jeff

Chris Hurd · July 21st, 2002, 11:21 AM

Still a very good idea to *always* have a UV filter on the front though, it's cheaper to replace if it gets scratched.

Rob -- for those filters, if that's all you have at the moment then it shouldn't hurt things too much. I wouldn't make it a regular practice though.

August 16th, 2002, 01:17 AM

I normally just use those new polyester cleaning rags, which work pretty well, but I was wondering is a Windex or some eye glass cleaner safe to use on the lens? And I do know that a UV filter is the best but....are these glass cleaning products safe? Also what are others using to clean their lenses?

July 20th, 2002, 08:03 AM	#1
piersbailey Posts: n/a	Lens Cleaning I have a an XL1s with the standard 16X lens. Recently I had to clean a small dot from the front outside face of the lens with a small amount of alcohol. Can any one tell me if the outside faces of this lens have protective coatings or not.

July 21st, 2002, 09:02 AM	#5
Rob Moreno Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Tokyo Posts: 102	Speaking about cleaning spots, what about filters? I had some spots on my multi-coated polarizing filter and didn't have any lens cleaner with me, so I hesitantly used generic glass cleaner. Is this not recommended? __________________ Media Kobo Japan

July 21st, 2002, 11:21 AM	#8
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Still a very good idea to always have a UV filter on the front though, it's cheaper to replace if it gets scratched. Rob -- for those filters, if that's all you have at the moment then it shouldn't hurt things too much. I wouldn't make it a regular practice though. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

August 16th, 2002, 01:17 AM	#9
cremagine Posts: n/a	Lens Cleaning I normally just use those new polyester cleaning rags, which work pretty well, but I was wondering is a Windex or some eye glass cleaner safe to use on the lens? And I do know that a UV filter is the best but....are these glass cleaning products safe? Also what are others using to clean their lenses?

July 20th, 2002, 02:34 PM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	The front element of the standard 16x lens is multi coated. The multi coating used on exposed surfaces is very hard and not easily damaged. Jeff

July 20th, 2002, 07:42 PM	#3
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	FWIW: The front element is a piece of plane optical glass, its purpose is to protect the internal VAP elements which is the next item in the optical path.

July 20th, 2002, 08:25 PM	#4
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Don, Are you saying that it's not multi coated? I'm holding the lens, looking at it in the light and I sure see a multi coating. Jeff

July 21st, 2002, 11:04 AM	#6
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	It no doubt is coated. But it is not an active (refractive) element. It is there to protect, much like flks use a UV or skylight filter to protect the front element.

July 21st, 2002, 11:18 AM	#7
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Don, Thanks for making that clear for me. Jeff