keeping lenses clean...without lens caps.

[furcafe]

No argument from me.

I don't have anything against people who use protective filters or lens caps, but I don't use either routinely. The only time I use protective filters are on lenses that I use a lot in "dirty" conditions (usually involving food & beverages) & those are B+W MRC UV filters. Lens caps are for storage or for resale.

However, I do use lens hoods religously, since they provide protection against both flare & impacts, & that has worked well for me.

I don't use lens caps and prefer to keep my cameras "assembled". What I mean is that I don't like loose pieces and I do not want to search for my bodies/lens/hoods/filters whenever I want to shoot. I carry/use my cameras as often as possible and don't want these small petty things to inhibit my daily life.


35mm cameras/lenses,

I usually leave a lens with the uv filter and hood attached onto all of my bodies. If it is a lens that I do not use much then I just store it front-element side down with the hood and uv filter attached. I don't use a filter on my Kodak Retina because it is always protected.

120 cameras,

I don't use uv filters with my Rolleiflex's because I use them less often, I expect more from the glass, and I don't trust non-mrc filters. With these cameras I leave them with the hood attached. I only have Rollei's btw but I would use an MRC filter on any most other 120 cameras if possible.

About B+W MRC filters. Are they fairly scratch resistant? I'm very cautious when cleaning front elements (I hardly clean them) but I clean my UV filters once in a while. I never carry cleaning solutions/clothes on me so I just use my shirt and breathe sometimes. Is that death to my filters?

Anything seriously wrong with what I am doing? Aside from the controversial UV filter debate?

 

[clayne]

I would personally never use naptha to clean the front surface of a lens, but if it's working for you, go ahead.

What do you think the factory and/or other techs use? It's a non-polar solvent that won't do anything to glass or coatings - so if you're afraid of it it's because you don't know how it works.

I was really curious about your point #6 though. I understand a lens front element can withstand a lot and it may not be that noticable, but why don't lens manufacturers put scratches and dust on the lens for us?

Okay, does a car manufacturer give you a pretty clean car/solid paint job when the car is new? Yes. Does it wear down over time? Yes. Still usable and without an issue? Yes.

Front element dust/damage doesn't really do anything and of course the factory produced glass is going to be quite clean/perfect when new - the lens has barely been handled by anything.