A customer told me my lens cleaning method was leaving micro-scratches

They brought in a vintage Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 with haze, and after I cleaned it, they pointed out faint circular marks under a bright light. I was using the same microfiber cloth for everything, which apparently picks up grit. Now I use a fresh lens tissue for every single wipe, which feels wasteful but works. What's your go-to method for cleaning old, delicate glass without risking damage?

3 comments

3 Comments

wilson.olivia15d ago

Disagree with @olivert78, I've seen fresh tissues work best for fragile old lenses.

margaret87914d agoMost Upvoted

Got to side with olivert78 on this one. Tissues leave behind tiny bits that act like sandpaper on old coatings. I use a clean microfiber cloth dampened with a little breath, just enough to fog the glass, then wipe in one gentle circle from the center out. Wilson.olivia, if the cloth feels dry or gritty at all, that's when you get those fine scratches. The key is keeping the cloth itself clean, not swapping it for something new each time.

olivert7815d ago

Actually, that sounds like the cloth itself was the problem, not reusing it. A good microfiber should hold onto grit if you shake it out properly between passes. For old lenses, a drop of lens fluid on the cloth first helps lift haze without hard rubbing. Tissues can be too dry and still drag particles across the surface.