Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

Susan · 03-30-2010, 02:30 PM

What do you all think of it for cleaning lenses? Can you tell me what you recommend, if there is something better? Thank you!

Nass · 03-30-2010, 02:34 PM

If it's the same as this lenspen I'm very impressed with it

pbo · 03-30-2010, 03:19 PM

This lenspen + a microfiber cloth gets job done 99% of the time for me.

Al_in_the_Shire · 03-30-2010, 04:16 PM

I think I am addicted to the darn things. I buy the kit, the one with 3 pens and a cloth. I have one set in my back pack and one in my day bag. Got some more laying around here someplace. They work very well and I would not leave home without one. They do dry out over time though, so you should replace them once a year or so I guess.

wlachan · 03-30-2010, 05:45 PM

Lenspen is great for anything light, but as soon as the grease gets heavy, it just got spread around the glass. Still, every photographer should have one. It is the 1st thing I tried if I ever need to remove any fingerprints on the glass.

creampuff · 04-02-2010, 04:24 PM

Over time the Lenspen tends to accumulate small particles on the tip.
I have a friend who scratched the front element of his Nikon tele due to this.

mickeyobe · 04-02-2010, 11:32 PM

I am very leery about the Lenspen.
To use the same cleaning surface over and over again without any means of cleaning it is inviting trouble. It might pick up some grit and scratch the lens.
To me it seems to have a rather hard surface to be rubbing on a lens.
I prefer a soft lens brush and then, only if necessary a microfiber cloth preceded with a misting by breathing on the lens.

Mickey

Douf · 04-03-2010, 04:34 AM

Not a fan of those pens.. Same tip touches the lens over and over, eventually you pick up something that'll scratch the glass.
I quite like Kimwipes though, they're lint free disposable wipes. Work really well.. Been using them for a few years now.

krypticide · 04-03-2010, 11:15 AM

Got a Lens Pen after some thought, and have been impressed. I haven't had any issues with scratching. I think if you use the brush first, while holding the lens upside down to prevent particles from falling back on it, then you should be fine. Remember to twist the cap on the activated carbon side after every use, like they instruct you to.

bdery · 04-03-2010, 06:43 PM

People comment on scratching the lens with a lensPEN. This will NOT happen if you use it properly. The first part of the procedure is to use the brush to remove ANY dust particle. The second part involves using the dry cleaning material to remove spots and dirt. If your lensPEN is replenished well (by swiveling it while the cap is on) it will take care of almost anything, and never scratch your lens.

A must have.

mickeyobe · 04-04-2010, 05:35 AM

"it will take care of almost anything,"

Not very reassuring.

Mickey

flippedgazelle · 04-04-2010, 06:54 AM

Originally posted by mickeyobe

I prefer a soft lens brush and then, only if necessary a microfiber cloth preceded with a misting by breathing on the lens.

Mickey

Ditto.

I have a lenspen, and have used it a couple of times w/o any negative issues.

Alex00 · 04-04-2010, 07:11 AM

Originally posted by mickeyobe

I am very leery about the Lenspen.
To use the same cleaning surface over and over again without any means of cleaning it is inviting trouble. It might pick up some grit and scratch the lens.
To me it seems to have a rather hard surface to be rubbing on a lens.
I prefer a soft lens brush and then, only if necessary a microfiber cloth preceded with a misting by breathing on the lens.

Mickey

I second this. Breathing on the lens and wiping with microfiber cloth is the best cleaning method for any lenses or filter. no chemicals, no fancy pens to use, and works perfect. Make sure you blow and brush away any dust off the glass before cleaning.

Perrumpo · 04-07-2010, 09:39 AM

I tried out the Nikon Lens Pen, and returned it. The cleaner end left a TON of black residue. Thank god I didn't use it on my lenses, just tested it on my finger. Turned my finger black. So, avoid the Nikon pen unless you only use the duster end.

philbaum · 04-07-2010, 11:26 AM

Good thoughtful discussion but i still prefer a LensPen.

Mostly i just use the brush end to get off dust and rarely have to do much more than that. Convenient to carry and don't have to carry a separate brush like one has to to with a microfiber cloth.

I wipe off the cleaning end with a cloth occasionally, the soft rubber end or whatever it is allows spot removal of problem without completely wiping the surface each time.

Lenspen works great in my experience.

03-30-2010, 02:30 PM	#1
Susan Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Riverside, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 43	Lens Pen What do you all think of it for cleaning lenses? Can you tell me what you recommend, if there is something better? Thank you!

04-02-2010, 11:32 PM	#7
mickeyobe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,759	Lenspen I am very leery about the Lenspen. To use the same cleaning surface over and over again without any means of cleaning it is inviting trouble. It might pick up some grit and scratch the lens. To me it seems to have a rather hard surface to be rubbing on a lens. I prefer a soft lens brush and then, only if necessary a microfiber cloth preceded with a misting by breathing on the lens. Mickey

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Misc Fountain Pen	suliabryon	Photo Critique	4	10-24-2010 07:31 PM
For Sale - Sold: Nikon lens pen	tangus	Sold Items	1	01-10-2010 09:09 PM
Chinese Lens Pen	qquake2k	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	3	01-24-2009 08:08 AM
Sigma Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 28-105mm f/2.8-4 Aspherical IF Autofocus Lens for Pen	jon pafford	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	0	10-12-2008 01:19 PM
Lens Pen	benjikan	General Talk	14	05-29-2008 04:37 AM

03-30-2010, 02:34 PM	#2
Nass Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The British Isles Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,402	If it's the same as this lenspen I'm very impressed with it

03-30-2010, 03:19 PM	#3
pbo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 891	This lenspen + a microfiber cloth gets job done 99% of the time for me.

03-30-2010, 04:16 PM	#4
Al_in_the_Shire Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: none of your business Posts: 96	I think I am addicted to the darn things. I buy the kit, the one with 3 pens and a cloth. I have one set in my back pack and one in my day bag. Got some more laying around here someplace. They work very well and I would not leave home without one. They do dry out over time though, so you should replace them once a year or so I guess.

03-30-2010, 05:45 PM	#5
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Lenspen is great for anything light, but as soon as the grease gets heavy, it just got spread around the glass. Still, every photographer should have one. It is the 1st thing I tried if I ever need to remove any fingerprints on the glass.

04-02-2010, 04:24 PM	#6
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Over time the Lenspen tends to accumulate small particles on the tip. I have a friend who scratched the front element of his Nikon tele due to this.

04-03-2010, 04:34 AM	#8
Douf Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 58	Not a fan of those pens.. Same tip touches the lens over and over, eventually you pick up something that'll scratch the glass. I quite like Kimwipes though, they're lint free disposable wipes. Work really well.. Been using them for a few years now.

04-03-2010, 11:15 AM	#9
krypticide Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,079	Got a Lens Pen after some thought, and have been impressed. I haven't had any issues with scratching. I think if you use the brush first, while holding the lens upside down to prevent particles from falling back on it, then you should be fine. Remember to twist the cap on the activated carbon side after every use, like they instruct you to.

04-03-2010, 06:43 PM	#10
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,363	People comment on scratching the lens with a lensPEN. This will NOT happen if you use it properly. The first part of the procedure is to use the brush to remove ANY dust particle. The second part involves using the dry cleaning material to remove spots and dirt. If your lensPEN is replenished well (by swiveling it while the cap is on) it will take care of almost anything, and never scratch your lens. A must have.

04-04-2010, 05:35 AM	#11
mickeyobe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,759	"it will take care of almost anything," Not very reassuring. Mickey

04-04-2010, 06:54 AM	#12
flippedgazelle Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,270	Originally posted by mickeyobe I prefer a soft lens brush and then, only if necessary a microfiber cloth preceded with a misting by breathing on the lens. Mickey Ditto. I have a lenspen, and have used it a couple of times w/o any negative issues.

04-04-2010, 07:11 AM	#13
Alex00 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 294	Originally posted by mickeyobe I am very leery about the Lenspen. To use the same cleaning surface over and over again without any means of cleaning it is inviting trouble. It might pick up some grit and scratch the lens. To me it seems to have a rather hard surface to be rubbing on a lens. I prefer a soft lens brush and then, only if necessary a microfiber cloth preceded with a misting by breathing on the lens. Mickey I second this. Breathing on the lens and wiping with microfiber cloth is the best cleaning method for any lenses or filter. no chemicals, no fancy pens to use, and works perfect. Make sure you blow and brush away any dust off the glass before cleaning.

04-07-2010, 09:39 AM	#14
Perrumpo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 207	I tried out the Nikon Lens Pen, and returned it. The cleaner end left a TON of black residue. Thank god I didn't use it on my lenses, just tested it on my finger. Turned my finger black. So, avoid the Nikon pen unless you only use the duster end.

04-07-2010, 11:26 AM	#15
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	Good thoughtful discussion but i still prefer a LensPen. Mostly i just use the brush end to get off dust and rarely have to do much more than that. Convenient to carry and don't have to carry a separate brush like one has to to with a microfiber cloth. I wipe off the cleaning end with a cloth occasionally, the soft rubber end or whatever it is allows spot removal of problem without completely wiping the surface each time. Lenspen works great in my experience.