Hello all
I spent last night cleaning my optics. I use an air brush to get rid of dust or particles that can scratch the lens and then clean them with a lens cloth but this can take some time when they have got particually dirty. So how do you all clean yours?
Cheers
Martin
marting
The best way to clean optics is to use a blower to remove particles, then carry on as you are doing.
Do not use normal tap water should your lenses get muddy, as this can damage the lens coatings (over a period of time), if you are using water, I would suggest distilled water.
Also before using the cloth (which should be a suitable lens cloth, preferance is a microfibre cloth) if you are not using a suitable lens agent, then breath on the lens as you should not clean a dry lens, so to speak.
You say it takes time to clean the lens, bear in mind, depending on which binoculars you own a new lens could cost you quite a bit of money.
If you've been seawatching or other coastal birding with an onshore wind, beware of tiny salt crystals - can't see them, but they're hard enough to scratch glass if wiped off dry. Make sure they're dissolved in water first by wetting the lens before wiping.
Michael