is this alcool good for lens cleaning

i recently bought some ispropylique aka isopropanol to clean a mobile phone.
And the person I bought it from sait that it was also used to clean optics.

So here I am wondering if this is true, as I also read that alcool might degrade some lens coating.

So, did any of you use this particular alcool, it is said to be really good for removing grease for example.

I'll really appreciate your thoughts !

Mrik

You'll probably get away with for decent glass, But may lift the coating of sheaper optics.

Given the cost I'd use a proper lens cleaning agent.

Mind you I used eclipse on a a cheap teleplus 2x converter and removed the coating's was quite pleased as the coating was in a bit of a state anyway.
--
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A number of astronomers use isopropanol to clean their objectives and eyepieces. Make sure that you use the 99% pure, or better, version. Keep the cap on tight to minimize absorption of water.

For small smudges I use a "Lense Pen". It works great for removing finger prints.
--
Dan in the East Bay

Mrik said:

i recently bought some ispropylique aka isopropanol to clean a mobile phone.
And the person I bought it from sait that it was also used to clean optics.

Click to expand...

Yes, Isopropanol (ispropyl alcohol) is safe for any coated optics. I use at least 91% pure, 99% would be better.

It is also safe for LCD screens and computer screens with coatings (when you buy expensive LCD cleaner it is usually just relabeled isopropanol).

Generally isopropanol is safe for sensors too, but ethanol is better (but toxic and not available in some locations).

Eric

--
I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object
be what it may - light, shade, and perspective will always make it
beautiful. - John Constable (quote)

See my Blog at: http://viking79.blogspot.com/ (Weekly)
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"but ethanol is better (but toxic and not available in some locations)" Several years ago Sky & Telescope magazine published a picture a guy cleaning the windows of an airborne 'scope with a bottle of Ever Clear (!). I think that stuff is like 180-190 proof.
--
Dan in the East Bay

I think you mean Methanol?

Ethanol is the alcohol we drink in beverages; wine beer spirits etc etc.

Methanol is toxic, and contact with it can leave you permanently blind(not so good for taking photos)

viking79 said:

Mrik said:

i recently bought some ispropylique aka isopropanol to clean a mobile phone.
And the person I bought it from sait that it was also used to clean optics.

Click to expand...

Yes, Isopropanol (ispropyl alcohol) is safe for any coated optics. I use at least 91% pure, 99% would be better.

It is also safe for LCD screens and computer screens with coatings (when you buy expensive LCD cleaner it is usually just relabeled isopropanol).

Generally isopropanol is safe for sensors too, but ethanol is better (but toxic and not available in some locations).

Eric

--
I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object
be what it may - light, shade, and perspective will always make it
beautiful. - John Constable (quote)

See my Blog at: http://viking79.blogspot.com/ (Weekly)
Flickr Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28177041@N03/ (updated daily)
See my PPG Shots: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/erictastad (8/31/09)

Click to expand...

So you've spent 1000's on you new lens and will now save a couple of bucks at the risk of IQ.?

Whats the point?

Use something decent like this
http://www.photosol.com/eclipseproduct.htm

A bottle will last years leave no residue and provide ultimate IQ.

As a bonus can be used to wet clean the sensor and is actually recommended by a number of manufacturers including Tokina and Hoya.

As for 91% I'd rather use spit and polish.

On the point of cleaning lcd screen don't forget to use a 50/50 mix with distilled water. If you don't then don't blame me if your screen goes milky.

--
My PPG

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It would probably be OK, though proper lens cleaning fluid isn't all that expensive.

I've rarely if ever needed anything more than water vapor condensed from my breath and a little gentle wiping with a microfiber cloth to clean my lenses. (As always, blowing with a blower and/or gently brushing with a very soft brush first to get rid of loose grit and dust is a good idea.)
--
--DrewE

you can use isopropanol, ethanol or methanol. Isopropanol is better for fingerprints because dissolves grease nicely. use pure

I believe the filter may have some special coating that you don't want to mess with. Use the solution that is known to be safe. This is one place you have to spend the bucks.
--
Rick

I work in the chemical industry and am familiar with the production of various alcohols. The remaining component in most isopropanol is water.

Water is benign and in fact better than pure isopropanol if any of the cleaning fluid should come in contact with plastic or rubber. Don't believe that higher purity is better in this case. Cleaning performance can be significantly improved by adding a trace amount of surfactant (aka soap) because neither water nor isopropanol is effective towards oily deposit.

Isopropanol is not toxic. Ethanol is not toxic and human frequently ingest large quantities. Methanol, on the other hand, is highly toxic.

viking79 said:

Mrik said:

i recently bought some ispropylique aka isopropanol to clean a mobile phone.
And the person I bought it from sait that it was also used to clean optics.

Click to expand...

Yes, Isopropanol (ispropyl alcohol) is safe for any coated optics. I use at least 91% pure, 99% would be better.

Click to expand...

viking79 said:

It is also safe for LCD screens and computer screens with coatings (when you buy expensive LCD cleaner it is usually just relabeled isopropanol).

Generally isopropanol is safe for sensors too, but ethanol is better (but toxic and not available in some locations).

Eric

--
I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object
be what it may - light, shade, and perspective will always make it
beautiful. - John Constable (quote)

See my Blog at: http://viking79.blogspot.com/ (Weekly)
Flickr Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28177041@N03/ (updated daily)
See my PPG Shots: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/erictastad (8/31/09)

Click to expand...

Well you could also use normal handsoap or green soap. It wont harm your coatings.

rwl408 said:

I believe the filter may have some special coating that you don't want to mess with. Use the solution that is known to be safe. This is one place you have to spend the bucks.
--
Rick

Click to expand...

Of course the coating can be damaged but they are not that fragile. Abrasion is more likely to do damage than the type of cleaning fluid. In fact, you can even use kitchen dish cleaner for cleaning, just rinse it thoroughly with clean water.

Some info on optical coating from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_coating

"The other major type of optical coating is the dielectric coating (i.e. using materials with a different refractive index to the substrate). These are constructed from thin layers of materials such as magnesium fluoride, calcium fluoride, and various metal oxides, which are deposited onto the optical substrate. By careful choice of the exact composition, thickness, and number of these layers, it is possible to tailor the reflectivity and transmitivity of the coating to produce almost any desired characteristic. Reflection coefficients of surfaces can be reduced to less than 0.2%, producing an antireflection (AR) coating. Conversely, the reflectivity can be increased to greater than 99.99%, producing a high-reflector (HR) coating. The level of reflectivity can also be tuned to any particular value, for instance to produce a mirror that reflects 90% and transmits 10% of the light that falls on it, over some range of wavelengths. Such mirrors are often used as beamsplitters, and as output couplers in lasers. Alternatively, the coating can be designed such that the mirror reflects light only in a narrow band of wavelengths, producing an optical filter.

The versatility of dielectric coatings leads to their use in many scientific optical instruments (such as lasers, optical microscopes, refracting telescopes, and interferometers) as well as consumer devices such as binoculars, spectacles, and photographic lenses."

isopropanol, ethanol and methanol are all toxic, but in different degrees. People die of alcohol (ethanol) overdose. You cannot say ethanol is non-toxic.
On the other hand, if you drink enough water it will kill you.

Cheers,

Rod

--
All I want is a digital back for my trusty K1000 . . .

Isopropanol is good unless its free from stabilizing agent and additives. It could be 70-99% alcohol. Less than 99% isopropanol has water mixed with it.

Most lens cleaning fluids available commercially are in fact alcohols. Mostly Methanol (toxic if consumed or inhaled) or Ethanol or Iso-propanol but without non-volatile additives. These Alcohols wont affect lens coating but dont try to scratch hard and use soft lint free cloth always.

Never ever use any organic solvent like acetone, ethyl acetate (nail polish remover) or hexanes (they are every effective against oil but may dissolve organic layers of coating)

Atindra

First blow the dust away, then slightly breathe on it and with a tissue polish your humidity away. This is highly effective and safe.

Alcohol in whatever form is still relatively safe. As said, never ever use more agressive solvents such as acetone. They might dissolve the coating or the surrounding glue and hardware that keeps the lens in place.

Well thanks everyone for the replies, i now know that i can use this, even it it's not that often.