lens cleaning for QL17 G-III

[kim a]

Hi All-

I need some help. I am in the process of replacing my light seals, and have the back of the camera open. So I noticed the lens could use a cleaning. What is the best way? I have the lens cleaner spray and a lens cloth. Do I need to get in there with q-tips? I had looked for a post regarding this and only saw ones for people who had taken the lens out. I am hoping I do not need to do that.
As you can tell, I am a newbie, and have never, ever, opened up the back of a camera. I am finding the whole light seal cleaning and replacement task very fun, and kind of zen in a strange way. Thanks to all who told me about the seal kit. The guy that puts them together is great with any follow up questions. Once I get this part completed, I will tackle cleaning the viewfinder.
Thanks for your help.

 

[erikhaugsby]

1. Are you trying to clean just the rear/front elmennts, or do you want to open the whole lens up?
2. What does "...could use a cleaning." mean? e.g., how dirty is "dirty?"

I can't much help you, as I've never really cleaned lenses or owned a Canonet....
In any regard, good luck!

 

[dmr]

My question is: Is the lens dirty? (If it ain't broke, it don't need fixed, as my late grandfather would say.) 🙂

About a year ago I had to pull the front two lens elements out to get to a sticky shutter. I just carefully wiped them off with lens tissue as I reassembled the whole thing. All elements were (and still are) clean and clear.

 

[Jon Goodman]

Hi, Kim.
The best way to clean the lens elements is to remove them, but unless they are very dirty, I would not suggest this. Sometimes the central element can be very difficult to remove (I've posted instructions on one way to do this on this site...in the repair section I think). Normally, cleaning the outside of the rear and front element is all that is needed.
Jon

 

[kim a]

Hi Jon-

Thanx for all your help today. The light seals are done, and look great if
I do say so myself-- all thanx to your great instructions in the kit. The
lens is not filthy, but certainly has a lot of stuff which looks like dust or
particles of something......just thought before I go out and try my first
roll that everything should be optimal for some nice shots. I would like
to clean the front and rear elements without taking the lens out. Is it ok
to go in with the lens cleaner on a q-tip or my lens cloth?
Kim

 

[oftheherd]

I guess everyone has their own way to do it. For me, a deeply recessed lens gets a little lens cleaning solution (Kodak) on Q-tip wrapped with lens cleaning tissue. Normally you can wrap it and still hold on to it. Don't get too much on the tissue. Too much fluid could get into the lens elements. You only want it dampened. Then clean. Use more than one tissue if you have to. In fact it is recommended. Use a blower brush first for any loose dust/grit. Don't scrub hard any more than you would on those front lenses. It should be too hard. After you are done with the tissue, to include using a dry tissue, use a blower to get out any stray tissue that may have collected to any of the areas inside. All in all not too hard. There are several people in the forums who like to work on fixed lens rf cameras that may have even better advice. Good luck with the photos you will take.

 

[Kim Coxon]

I don't like to use a Q-tip straight or even with a lens tissue around it as these tend to leave fibres behind. (a q-tip on it's own is the worst) I use a microfiber lens cloth wrapped around the Q-Tip and find that I then don't risk trapped fibres or need to use the blower.

Kim

 

[kim a]

Thanx all for your advice. I did end up using the cleaner and a microfiber cloth after I saw the q-tips left fuzzies. This website is fantastic, especially for newbies.
Your support is greatly appreciated. After all was done, I ran out and got
some film (seriously, there were 3 boxes available at the drugstore--3!), and headed out to the park for my first official trial roll. I did not finish the roll, as I will
be going out shooting tomorrow, too, and wanted to save some trial for
sunny conditions, too. I have a lot to learn.......I do not have a scanner, so
won't be able to share in the galleries, but will let you know how the shots
turned out. The suspense is just awful.........thanx again for being such a
great RF community!

Kim

 

[Kim Coxon]

You're welcome

T'other Kim

 

[Bill58]

For what it's worth, the LUG comments recently were use a SOFT brush, then a Q-tip w/ Acetone (pure, unscented), then use dry Q-tip, then use distilled water from a container full that has been "wetted" w/ a couple of drops of Simple Green on a Q-tip, finally dry with another Q-tip. They mostly agreed that the miscrofiber cloths were fakes and to be avoided--clean (!!!) used, cotton underwear was better. Last but not least, clean VERY sparingly in this manner--use a brush most of the time.

 

[BrianShaw]

For what it's worth (snip) --clean (!!!) used, cotton underwear was better.

There's almost nothing better in life than clean used cotton underwear! A pair of these, and fresh breath, will get a guy almost anything he wants or needs. I cluding a clean lens! 🙂