The annoying problem with streaks when cleaning lenses

Andreas Thaler · Mar 31, 2024

I have tried many things when cleaning lenses and other optical glass, but no matter which method I use, streaks always remain.

These then have to be removed in another cleaning process.

If it works.

Annoying streaks to be removed

What so far works best for me is

blowing off with the bellows,
cleaning brush,
blowing off,
isopropyl alcohol on a lens cleaning cloth to remove greasy residues and then
removing the streaks with a cleaning cloth moistened with a trace of Aqua Purificata. This way the cloth does not glide dry over the glass, which prevents any scratches.

How do you proceed?

+++

All information provided without guarantee and use at your own risk.

Nicholas Lindan · Mar 31, 2024

I find the streaks come from grease & oil trapped between the lens and the retaining ring (or other metal hardware). If the cleaning tissue touches the periphery then the oil wicks onto the tissue and streaks across the lens. As oil is already on the tissue the more I try to wipe it off the worse the streaking. I often just put up with a small amount of streaking - better than damaging the lens.

ic-racer · Mar 31, 2024

Yes I try to avoid cleaning lenses with alcohol unles they are free. But sometimes that is not posisble. As Nicholas indicates, sometimes the oil just keeps appearing around the edges, like a never-ending source

ced · Mar 31, 2024

Zeiss tissues & or liquid (manufacturer knows best).

Andreas Thaler · Mar 31, 2024

ced said:
Zeiss tissues & or liquid (manufacturer knows best).

I have been using the Zeiss cleaning kit for years, but it still leaves streaks. The product is probably alcohol-based and needs to be wiped dry with the lens cleaning cloth provided.

dave olson · Mar 31, 2024

Over the years, since the ‘70’s, I have tried the different offering. Some years ago I settled on the lens wipe pen. I have a blower bulb for dust. I like the fact that lens pens are available in two different sizes, large and small. I’m a “clean lens fanatic“. I have never had a streaking problem. For my reading glasses I use micro fiber cloth.

kl122002 · Apr 1, 2024

Keep the tweezers tip clean as much as possible. Sometimes it is from the previous cleaning, the oil has been carried over by the tip to the next lens cleaning paper.

And I tend to do cleaning slow with alcohol, from the center going circular towards outside, and once it reaches the edge, I discard this tissue paper and get a new one to start from the center again.

ruilourosa · Apr 1, 2024

Cleaning vinegar 50:50 with deionized water

gbroadbridge · Apr 1, 2024

Red First Contact Polymer.

Then keep fingers away from lens

grain elevator · Apr 1, 2024

I've also landed on distilled water as often working the best at avoiding or removing streaks. For regular front and rear lens cleaning I usually use alcohol and try to minimise wiping; I think a little streaking hardly matters. Distilled water by itself (or maybe I should say a moistened, good cloth or wipe) though is surprisingly good at removing fingerprints, maybe I should try just using that.

BrianShaw · Apr 1, 2024

I’m more concerned about potential inadvertent damage from the metal tweezers than any detrimental effect of streaks. Streaks are unsightly, though.

Andreas Thaler · Apr 1, 2024

BrianShaw said:
I’m more concerned about potential inadvertent damage from the metal tweezers than any detrimental effect of streaks. Streaks are unsightly, though.

With the rounded ends of the tweezers you have to try very hard damaging the lens.

I recommend just trying things out, with a little caution nothing can happen.

I have tried the methods I show here several times.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 1, 2024

Nicholas Lindan said:
I find the streaks come from grease & oil trapped between the lens and the retaining ring (or other metal hardware). If the cleaning tissue touches the periphery then the oil wicks onto the tissue and streaks across the lens. As oil is already on the tissue the more I try to wipe it off the worse the streaking. I often just put up with a small amount of streaking - better than damaging the lens.

true. Washing your hands well with soap before the cleaning always helps. Otherwise, skin oils can be transferred from the hands to the cleaning cloth to the lens. also, use a fresh cloth for every cleaning step!

choiliefan · Apr 1, 2024

Anyone here tried a Lenspen?
Seen ads for them but no serious reviews.

Pieter12 · Apr 1, 2024

Alcohol can remove a lot more than grease. I wouldn't recommend it. I have seen it irreparably damage the anti-reflective coating on eyeglasses. Some Zeiss wipes contain alcohol. Have you tried Purosol or ROR (Residual Oil Remover) lens cleaners?

Andreas Thaler · Apr 2, 2024

Pieter12 said:
Alcohol can remove a lot more than grease. I wouldn't recommend it. I have seen it irreparably damage the anti-reflective coating on eyeglasses. Some Zeiss wipes contain alcohol. Have you tried Purosol or ROR (Residual Oil Remover) lens cleaners?

I have not observed any problems with isopropyl alcohol on camera lenses, eyepieces or prisms.

awty · Apr 2, 2024

Take the lens out and wash with dishwashing liquid under running warm water with fingers until clean, then use plain tissues to dry, then while wearing gloves use a microfibre lens cleaning cloth. Use a bulb blower to get rid of dust as you insert it back into lens case.
Only use lens microfibre cloth and breath to finally clean the external lens.
That is the only way I know that works. Trying to do it without taking the element out is a complete waste of time.

gbroadbridge · Apr 2, 2024

choiliefan said:
Anyone here tried a Lenspen?
Seen ads for them but no serious reviews.

They work by reusing a cleaning pad which is coated with some type of cleaning powder each time you reinsert the pen into the cap.

Never seemed like a smart idea to me.

The other end is a brush which is open to contamination.

Also never looked like a smart idea to me.

kl122002 · Apr 2, 2024

awty said:
Take the lens out and wash with dishwashing liquid under running warm water with fingers until clean, then use plain tissues to dry, then while wearing gloves use a microfibre lens cleaning cloth. Use a bulb blower to get rid of dust as you insert it back into lens case.
Only use lens microfibre cloth and breath to finally clean the external lens.
That is the only way I know that works. Trying to do it without taking the element out is a complete waste of time.

It works on me as well. I also used some soap for better cleaning, and get a second rinse with the distilled water.

Bill Burk · Apr 2, 2024

I had to use a toothpick the other day to scratch off some fungus. I did it under a microscope to keep the area being worked on to a minimum.

mshchem · Apr 3, 2024

ROR works quite well. I recently was made a believer by a couple friends who owned and worked in a photo store for years. Obviously never apply directly to the lens. Mostly I'm cleaning up a filter, occasionally lenses.
Alcohol does not dissolve grease, alcohol is polar like water, grease is non-polar. Alcohol will dissolve shellac, one needs to be careful with solvents. I've heard of people using ultra high purity heptane and the like. Too potent for my shop.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 3, 2024

mshchem said:
ROR works quite well. I recently was made a believer by a couple friends who owned and worked in a photo store for years. Obviously never apply directly to the lens. Mostly I'm cleaning up a filter, occasionally lenses.
Alcohol does not dissolve grease, alcohol is polar like water, grease is non-polar. Alcohol will dissolve shellac, one needs to be careful with solvents. I've heard of people using ultra high purity heptane and the like. Too potent for my shop.

I'm satisfied with my lens-cleaning efforts but it seems to me: no matter how hard you try, you never get it just as clean as the lens manufacturer gets it.

Andreas Thaler · Apr 3, 2024

RalphLambrecht said:
I'm satisfied with my lens-cleaning efforts but it seems to me: no matter how hard you try, you never get it just as clean as the lens manufacturer gets it.

And fortunately, that is not necessary

snusmumriken · Apr 3, 2024

Andreas Thaler said:
I have not observed any problems with isopropyl alcohol on camera lenses, eyepieces or prisms.

+1, at least for external surfaces. (I am very fussy about cleaning optics, but have never needed to clean inside surfaces.)

The annoying problem with streaks when cleaning lenses

Advertiser

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency