Camera cleaning

[woodyracing]

any tips on cleaning lenses or the mirror on an SLR (non digital)

thanks.

[Dave Brand]

Originally posted by woodyracing
any tips on cleaning lenses or the mirror on an SLR (non digital)

thanks.

Don't clean the mirror unless it's absolutely necessary. They are front-silvered, which means that the visible surface is the surface which is silvered & very easily damaged. If you must clean the mirror, use a blower brush & very gently remove dust, etc., from the surface. Don't use cleaning solutions or rub the surface.

Lenses are more robust, although if your only problem is dust a blower brush is, again, the best option. If there are finger marks, etc., on the surface, a dedicated lens cleaning cloth or tissue is OK, with, in extreme cases, lens cleaning fluid. Consider buying a UV filter for every lens & leaving it in place - it's better to have to replace a cheap filter than an expensive lens!

[Kelvin]

Wash at 40, slow spin, and do not tumble dry :-)


Seriously - Advice by Dave is perfect!!

Kelvin

[woodyracing]

thanks guys! I got a UV filter.
Now pondering over a lens hood. ?? plastic or rubber??

[jase]

I'd suggest rubber, it's a bit more robust than plastic. If you happen to drop your lens than you wont end up with shards of plastic everywhere.

[brickkicker]

Lens hoods are a must. I use plastic ones on my lenses I found the rubber ones are a bit short. Every lens should have one as they will stop any unwanted light entering in, so you will get better pictures. UV filters are also a must as Dave said there are loads to chose from UV and 1B are good for just protection, but you can also look at coloured ones to make something look different

[Woolley]

Before you get various effects and colour filters, get a Polarising filter. They seem expensive, but they will vastly improve the majority of pictures you take out of doors.