What do you use to wipe the lens?
 

I have a VX2100. Just curious, but what do you use to wipe the lens off? I have a few smudges from filming my dogs (they got a little too close, ha ha). I just used a cloth and wiped it off, but I thought maybe this would eventually cause scratches.

You should be able to buy a microfiber cloth at any camera store. I carry one in each of my camera bags and find them very handy. You'll also find lens tissue and cleaning fluid at camera stores, and I use them when I get a bigger, or an oily smudge on my lens.

Give the Nikon LensPen a shot. Fairly inexpensive with a brush and a cleaning pad in a pen-like format. Handy to keep in a pocket. Good for mild dirt and smudge problems during a shoot.

It is not a complete solution because the lens can get so dirty that only a optical cleaning solution will do. Make certain you get one designed for multi-coated lenses. Kodak cleaner is OK, some others are formulated for specific lens front elements. Probably won't damage anything if it is the wrong type but I wouldn't experiment.

I have a small spot on my VX2100 lens. Its very small. After trying to wipe it with a microfiber lens cloth, it apears to be a stuck on, crusted, spot. Should I just use water, or should I seek out a special lens cleaning fluid? Any particular brand?

Ezra

As with all cameras there should be a UV filter fitted to the front at all times (unless using a wide or tele converter or special filters). This prevents the crud and scratches from damaging the actual front element - at worst you replace the UV filter.

Ezra,
If I was you I'd dampen a lens tissue with purified water and gently dab the crud to soften it, then gently clean it off. After the crud is off, clean the lense properly as per below.

Andrea,
Make sure you don't rub the lense dry - use either a specialised cleaning fluid applied to a microfibre cloth or lense tissue, or as I do, breath on the lense to dampen it, then gently clean with the microfibre cloth or lense tissue.

Then fit the UV filter!

HTH,
Kyle

'Purified' water may not be clean enough. Deionized water would be. But why not buy a small bottle of Kodak lens cleaner and then you will not only be able to remove this spot but use it for many years in the future. While you are at it, purchase lens-cleaning papers too. That way you will be certain that the paper contains nothing that will scratch the lens.

Tear one sheet in half and roll it up tight. Then dampen the torn end and use it to gently brush at the spot.

Never put fluid directly on the lens.