Does cleaning solution degrade coating?

[mond817]

Hi. I own a Canon 24-70L. Without any protective filter, I use the lens very carefully, but one time when I snap the cap back on in a hurry and somehow one of my finger tip touch the edge of the lens.... I carefully use a microfiber cloth to wipe it, but it elongate the oil along the edge. I ended up using lens paper with lens cleaning solution to clean it. The result was good, but I found that there's very tiny specks all over the lens when tilted under strong light. I believe they are from the lens paper. Anyway, I've heard that there's a thin layer of coating on the frontmost lens and cleaning solution can degrade it. Is it true? Thanks everyone!!!

 

[Doug J]

The coating on the front element is quite durable and lens cleaning solution is not going to degrade it. If you have some grit on the lens or lens paper, and rub it on the lens, it might scratch the coating.

Don't worry about small pieces of lint from the paper/cloth getting on the lens, you'll never see them in the photos.

--
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Doug
http://pbase.com/dougj

http://thescambaiter.com
Fighting scammers WW for fun & justice

 

[Chato]

The coating on the front element is quite durable and lens cleaning
solution is not going to degrade it. If you have some grit on the
lens or lens paper, and rub it on the lens, it might scratch the
coating.

Buy a really expensive lens and not have a protective filter? Murphys law is going to make this entire question academic.

Dave

Don't worry about small pieces of lint from the paper/cloth getting
on the lens, you'll never see them in the photos.

--
Best regards,
Doug
http://pbase.com/dougj

http://thescambaiter.com
Fighting scammers WW for fun & justice

 

[oldepro]

Dont know if you have lint or actually scratched the coating. But this is a good example of why you need a cheap protective uv filter on the front of every expensive lens.

Hi. I own a Canon 24-70L. Without any protective filter, ....and somehow one of my finger tip touch the edge of the lens....
I wipe it, but it elongate the
oil .... I ended up using lens paper with lens cleaning
solution to clean it. but I found that there's
very tiny specks all over the lens when tilted under strong light.

 

[Patrick T. Kelly]

I am cautious with my lenses. I always use a lens cap when I'm not actually taking photos. In the field I use a lenspen to remove the occasional errant fingerprint. Perhaps once or twice a year I need to clean a lens with solution and a microfibre cloth. I always brush or blow before I use a lenspen or a microfibre cloth. I think the greatest risk is a bit of grit getting rubbed across the lens.

I don't put a cheap protective filter over my expensive lens. I also don't wear a helmet when I drive my car and I don't use training wheels on my bicycle. If I were to use a "protective" filter it wouldn't be a cheap one.
--
Patrick T. Kelly
Oaxaca, Mexico

 

[lbuclk=]

The coating on the front element is quite durable and lens cleaning
solution is not going to degrade it. If you have some grit on the
lens or lens paper, and rub it on the lens, it might scratch the
coating.

Buy a really expensive lens and not have a protective filter? Murphys
law is going to make this entire question academic.

Dave

Don't worry about small pieces of lint from the paper/cloth getting
on the lens, you'll never see them in the photos.

--
Best regards,
Doug
http://pbase.com/dougj

http://thescambaiter.com
Fighting scammers WW for fun & justice

--

25 years as a freelancer,(news,magazine, wedding photography) camera equip. over the years: Practica MLT, Canon A1, Minolta 9xi, 7xi, Dimage Z1,Fuji 5200,Canon S2,Pentax K100D,Olympus 380(see my Z1 shots at http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Buckl/ the COMMUNITY album was done with the Z1, and most of the photos in the album:Other were w/the Z1)

 

[Chato]

I am cautious with my lenses. I always use a lens cap when I'm not
actually taking photos. In the field I use a lenspen to remove the
occasional errant fingerprint. Perhaps once or twice a year I need to
clean a lens with solution and a microfibre cloth. I always brush or
blow before I use a lenspen or a microfibre cloth. I think the
greatest risk is a bit of grit getting rubbed across the lens.

I don't put a cheap protective filter over my expensive lens. I also
don't wear a helmet when I drive my car and I don't use training
wheels on my bicycle. If I were to use a "protective" filter it
wouldn't be a cheap one.
--
Patrick T. Kelly
Oaxaca, Mexico

An "expensive" protective filter is cheap. A cheap "good" lens is expensive. You do the math.

Dave

 

[Doug J]

Dave - I answered the specific question the OP asked:

"Anyway, I've heard that there's a thin layer of coating on the frontmost lens and cleaning solution can degrade it. Is it true?"

The coating on the front element is quite durable and lens cleaning
solution is not going to degrade it. If you have some grit on the
lens or lens paper, and rub it on the lens, it might scratch the
coating.

Buy a really expensive lens and not have a protective filter? Murphys
law is going to make this entire question academic.

How does this relate to my reply to the question?

--
Best regards,
Doug
http://pbase.com/dougj

http://thescambaiter.com
Fighting scammers WW for fun & justice

--
Best regards,
Doug
http://pbase.com/dougj

http://thescambaiter.com
Fighting scammers WW for fun & justice

 

[Chato]

Hi Doug

Dave - I answered the specific question the OP asked:

Yes you did, and fair and square. No criticism of you intended.

"Anyway, I've heard that there's a thin layer of coating on the
frontmost lens and cleaning solution can degrade it. Is it true?"

The coating on the front element is quite durable and lens cleaning
solution is not going to degrade it. If you have some grit on the
lens or lens paper, and rub it on the lens, it might scratch the
coating.

Buy a really expensive lens and not have a protective filter? Murphys
law is going to make this entire question academic.

How does this relate to my reply to the question?

Sorry, not aimed at you, but aimed at the OP and the question. A better question might be, "How do I repair the fracture on my lens after it whacked into a tree while I was walking? Anyone recomend a glue? I tried Elmers, but it didn't hold."

Now I've actually done that, but had a cheap (but high quality) filter on board at the time, and the lens was spared...

Dave

Best regards,
Doug
http://pbase.com/dougj

http://thescambaiter.com
Fighting scammers WW for fun & justice

--
Best regards,
Doug
http://pbase.com/dougj

http://thescambaiter.com
Fighting scammers WW for fun & justice

 

[Doug J]

Fair enough, and no disagreement on the filter question, I'm from the side of the family that uses high quality filters most of the time. I considered adding that in the post along with brushing/blowing, etc., but decided to address only the question.

I'll try to avoid the trees, but no promises as I'm a bit of a klutz

--
Best regards,
Doug
http://pbase.com/dougj

http://thescambaiter.com
Fighting scammers WW for fun & justice