[DigiMack]

I usually clean my lenses after each day of use (sometimes during use if adverse conditions). However, I seldom pay much attention to the camera and lens contacts, other than a quick glance-over.
I am wondering how often others may clean their camera and/or lens contacts? And how do you clean them?
If you clean the contacts, do you clean the brass contacts differently than the silver?

[JeffJS]

Typically I don't clean them. Once in awhile I'll just wipe everything down. Then again, I don't change lenses too often either and the camera sleeps with the lens on. For the most part, you should be good just giving everything a good once over with a lint free cloth (so strange fuzzies don't end up inside the mirror box and eventually on your sensor).

[DigiMack]

Thanks for the reply JeffJS.
How do you like the K20/InfraRed? Did you convert it yourself?

[JeffJS]

You're welcome.

I like playing with the K20dIR but don't use it very much. I bought it from an ebay seller from China a couple years ago (I think he still sells there and does multiple brands and types). While my K5 was in for service during February though, it was my Only camera. Otherwise, I get it out once every couple months or so..

K20d Infrared - a set on Flickr

[Paleo Pete]

If I feel I really need to clean contacts, which has never happened so far, I'll use the same method I have for over 10 years with computers, which occasionally need RAM and component card contacts cleaned. Rub it with a pencil eraser. It cleans contacts nicely and is not abrasive. I'm sure it would eventually rub the gold coating off computer parts, but I'll be dead for about 75 years when it happens...

[BillM]

how often others may clean their camera and/or lens contacts?

A70-210/4 that Ive had almost 30 years,have never been officially "cleaned"
cursory wipe down with well worn cotton wash cloth reserved for that purpose.
Pencil eraser as mentioned by Pete is effective,do have to be very gentle.
Carbon-tet was always solvent of choice,been off the market for a long time
as its extremely hazardous health-wise.Rubbing alcholol can be used with
cotton swabs,dip one,then blot another with dipped one to dampen and wipe away.
There are alot of commerically available solvents,look for something with a
[N]ational,[E]lectrical,[M]anufacturers,[A]ssociation,NEMA spec and you'll be good to go.
Gold is reluctant to oxidize(rust),why its used to plate contacts.Alot of spacecraft
went skyward with silver wire,contact points plated with gold.Never find them things in
a junk yard.
Have heard the shpiel about erasers being too aggresive,if thats the case then
we need to know how many times we can swap lens on slr's,as thats aggressive too.

Say this tongue in cheek,thinking about old Jerry Seinfeld routine...
blood on shirt? Maybe doing laundry not highest priority.
Dirty contacts?....

[wwwmorrell]

If you regularly change lenses they self clean themselves, other than that a quick rub with alcohol.

[joebob]

Self-cleaning lenses - what a concept!