what's the best method to clean lenses? :P you know, from smudges or dust and other stuff... A clean dry microfiber cloth will take care of most anything.
If, perchance, this doesn't work, I like to use a small amount of straight methanol. Since most people won't have access to this, though, a small amount of camera lens cleaner(not eyeglass cleaner) will also work. I suggest using an alcohol based cleaner-the Kodak branded cleaner is not.
In any case, though, use liquid only as a last resort. A dry cloth will take care of most anything you're likely to run into, and will do no damage. if you have a photo store in your area the have some special class cleaner for camera lens if not go to any place that sells eye wear and you can get eye glass cleaner get the camera cleaner at a store and special lense cleaner. cam is too expaensive to scratch If you are talking about the larger lenses from a DSLR or big zoom camera, any camera shop will have a variety of lens cleaning kits. Usually a bit of solution and a very soft cloth.
However, the smaller lenses of a compact camera are a bit harder to clean. Consider getting one of the 'pen' style lens cleaning erasers. They are about $10.
let's see if this search link from B&H works:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/3results/con... q-tips and plain water I've used a Pentax lens cleaning cloth for many many years. I have 30 year old lenses with perfect glass. I also like the new microfiber cloths like those from PhotoSilk. I have never, in 36 years, used liquid cleaners.
The idea of using a rough Q-Tip and water gives me cold chills.
For stubborn areas I just breathe on the lens and then gently use the cloth.
The best thing you can do to really protect your lenses is to have a Skylight 1A (uncoated) or 1B (coated) filter on them at all times. A HAZE/UV filter can also be used. At an outdoor event one time a child touched the filter on my lens. I've no idea what he had on his finger but it never came off. I was happy to spend $15 on a new Skylight 1A instead of $300 + for a new wide angle. | 